Appetite for Art

After the heartening response to the second such event hosted here,Faiek El Sadanni,the F&B director of the Marriott,plans to make it a bimonthly affair. “We have one of the best collections of art on display at the hotel. However,we realised it needed an event like this to get people involved and excited. We plan to hold art brunches every two months,” he says. For those who are keen,mark your calendar for November when the Marriott’s next art brunch is scheduled. A similar event is coming up at Art Expo 2009,at World Trade Centre,while the Oberoi will host their art brunch in December.

Currently,there is no pressure on visitors to buy the work since the exercise here is to grab attention and spread the word. Apart from that,the relaxed atmosphere away from the hushed and hallowed halls of a gallery space,makes it easier for people to go up and talk with the artist. Many feel that this is a step in the right direction to encourage more people to view and appreciate art. “Many artists believe that such brunches might make the art appear frivolous. But I have always said and still reiterate that art should be shown outside gallery spaces,” says Khambatta,who is known for his public art projects.

Such events draw a new group of prospective art buyers. “Art at a hotel like the Marriott draws a certain affluent crowd that doesn’t visit galleries since they find it intimidating. However,art should also be displayed on the road,reaching out to those who cannot visit spaces like five-star hotels. Unfortunately,finances dictate we show at gallery spaces,” says Khambatta,who is currently working on three public sculptures for Weston Hotels in Pune.

JW Marriot is not alone in generating the city’s responsiveness to art. Other five-star hotels like the Oberoi and the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers,restaurants like Olive Bar and Kitchen,Mahalaxmi,Out of the Blue,Bandra,as well as art galleries like Hacienda Art Gallery and Art and Soul,take time out on Sundays—the proverbial day of rest—to present art on a different platter,with delicious food and even an art lecture.

Earlier this month,a group of budding lawyers at the Amarchand & Mangaldas law firm gathered at the Kala Ghoda Gallery to improve their knowledge on art and experiment with paints and brushes. “It is important for young lawyers,who are future art collectors,to know the difference between a watercolour and oil on canvas,” says firm partner Vandana Shroff,an avid collector.

Another reason why corporates step in to five-star hotels and spiffy restaurants for such brunches is charity sales and auction previews. “Events like a pre-auction preview cannot be held at a gallery. One must have these at a more public space,such as a hotel like the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers,because it draws the crowds,” says Neville Tuli. He recently acquired a space at a lifestyle retail store Vama on Pedder Road,to host shows twice a month. The champagne would not flow there,but this reiterates,it’s time to move art out of the box.