Cultural collusion

The gulf between cultures is so vast it is often difficult to wrap your mind around it. “Take the simple issue of buying a bus ticket. The procedure varies so much from country to country,” says Ibraeva. In one video,Dyu portrays herself replacing her Asian eyes with European ones,a metaphor for looking at the world through different cultures.

But Ibraeva is not the only one bringing global art to Mumbai. A group of 18 young Polish artists are showcasing their prints titled Ways of Imagination,a series of graphic and futuristic designs,at the ICIA Gallery in Kala Ghoda. Italian painter Shola Carletti’s exhibition titled Embracing Diversity will continue at Gallery Art & Soul till November 8.

Carletti’s paintings and sculptures are more meditative,abstract and internal,what she calls “a metaphor for life”,underscored by their dense,powerful and vibrant use of colour. “I explore my emotions with colours,” says the painter and graphic web designer,based in Pune. “I think if we all embrace diversity and accept that there is no good or bad but only a variety of shades the world will be a better place.”

Vickram Sethi,owner of ICIA,says,“The Indian sensibility is very different.

European paintings are dominated by dull shades of grey and other monochromes. They use red,for example,only to symbolise blood.”

It is to get an insight into other cultures that ICIA is pursuing its efforts to showcase art from different parts of the world. It would have been difficult for Sethi to acquire the government permit and deal with the immense paperwork involved in importing art which is why he involved the Polish and Indian embassies.

“If you look at Polish history,there are numerous instances when Poland used art as a medium of communication,” says Polish Ambassador Piotr Klodkowski. “And now it is continuing to do so by assisting in strengthening ties between nations.”