The Middle Men

“We start preparing for the fair soon after the previous edition,” says Amrita Kaur, who markets the fair across the world. Proposals submitted by each gallery are screened by her and she manages the accounts, with each gallery paying Rs 21,500 per sqm for a general booth and Rs 20,000 per sqm for a solo project.

However, government regulations need to be adhered. International galleries are welcome, but any sale needs to be registered for taxes to be levied. Customs clearance too requires intervention from organisers. “Sometimes we need to make calls. Also, all paperwork needs to be in place,” says Kaur. Bubble wrapped and sealed in boxes, the artwork is transported to the venue at NSIC Grounds in Okhla Phase III. But before that the hall needs to be readied.

The waterproof tent has a temperature regulator, which helps in keeping the interiors at a comfortable 22 degrees. Lights are installed on freshly painted three meter high planks of wood. White lights for the day and halogen lights for the night to account for dew and condensation. Fire extinguishers are suspended at emergency exits and 50 fire marshals are stationed on the site. Over 200 security guards are posted at different locations to safeguard the artwork. There are check points every few meters, ensuring no artwork is smuggled out.

“It’s a huge responsibility. Every night we clean the aisles to prepare for the next morning. Every corner is checked for intruders before the locks are put at night and one core team member stays on site overnight apart from the security guards,” says Kaur. Insurance though is privy of the galleries.

The event is insured for Rs 5-7 crore, but galleries are responsible for their own stalls. “We usually take blanket insurance for all our work. The estimates are provided by us. There hasn’t been any claim yet but it’ll be interesting to know how that will work. I’m sure it’ll be contentious,” says Uday Jain, director of Dhoomimal Gallery, who has the famed modernists at his stall during this edition. With footfalls expected to cross one lakh and selfie posers trooping in, there is close vigil. “Sometimes people come too close. There is also a tendency to touch the artwork, which could end up damaging it,” says Sameer Seth, manager of special projects at Sante Fe Moving Services that handles shipping of Paresh Maity’s work. He was on site installing and guarding the artist’s motorcycle ants day before the fair opened. “It’s a public event. One has to be cautious,” he adds.