Art-meter

What They Brought: An appreciation of a Mughlai dinner (a change from the regular pasta/pesto combo). A lot of people danced and the regaling ended late, well after 11.00 pm, for an art event. Vivan felt that Sakshi provided a wonderful arena for his works. Some overseas collectors want to buy several of the works.

Event: Prabodh Parikh’s talk on artist Tyeb Mehta at the Godrej Auditorium followed by tea at NCPA lawns.

Who Was There: A packed auditorium, courtesy the speaker and the subject. Apart from the usual gathering, there were Kekoo and Khurshed Gandhy who stayed throughout the lecture, Jitish Kalat and Shireen Gandhy, artists Altaf, Anju and Atul Dodiya occupying the last few benches and Parvez Jessia, a collector of antique and contemporary art. Dr Sarayu Doshi rushed in after looking into the new shop at the NGMA displaying exquisite crafts by Paramparik Karigar.

What Brought Them There: Prabodh Parikh started by quoting Milan Kundera’s outlook to poetry and art. He spoke of how he has closely followed Tyeb’s art and his movement from image to symbol using Hindu gods — Kali, Maheshasura, Shiva.

What They Brought: While some were bored out of their skulls, others were quite absorbed. It was all about differing interests, after all. For those who made an effort to understand it was an intriguing glimpse into the mind of a painter by a friend, critic and colleague.

Event: Opening reception, on May 10, of Dance with the Bulls, a show of paintings and drawings by A V Ilango at Jamaat.

Who Was There: Artist Bal Chabda, American bankers, the European consulate crowd and multinational magnates, owner Praveena and Jamal Mecklai’s friends. What Brought Them There: This Madras artist has infused his works with a fluidity and motion that is nearly tangible. Since its inception, Pravina has orchestrated each show at Jamaat with vibrant and bold art. The pieces curated appeal to the western eye as well as our own art regulars. The audience is always a wide variety of people, not the same crowd at every showing.

What They Brought: Bal Chabda, a senior artist who has won several awards internationally and in India, regaled many with the story of how he became an artist — quite by accident. He was a friend of Husain, Raza and other veterans before, one day, he revelled in the oil-canvas combination and unleashed a creativity that surprised even him.

Event: The customary opening brunch on Sunday, May 21, at the Prithvi Gallery — with a difference. This time children displayed their spontaneous art.

Who Was There: ??

What Brought Them There: A chance to look at art by children and support their creativity. The children’s show, organised by Art Underground of Baroda, was held along with a series of workshops hosted by Prithvi Gallery comprising creative arts, print making and Sabrang’s appreciation. The resultant uninhibited, energetic computer graphics were displayed.

What They Brought: A child artist demonstrated to a young audience how art is created on the computer. The children brought their characteristic enthusiasm and excitement.