Up close amp;8230;then some

A friend came to visit, from New York, last week. She has developed a sudden interest in acquiring art. The painting type. Thereby hangs a t...

A friend came to visit, from New York, last week. She has developed a sudden interest in acquiring art. The painting type. Thereby hangs a tale. She has a price frame in mind, but no knowledge of art. And as far as I know, no prior appreciation either. So basically she is looking to be educated at the same time. A tall order to fulfill in eight days, wouldn8217;t you think? Not tough at all, it seems. A couple of calls to friends and Voila! We have a list as long as the paper in my toilet roll. I never knew Bombay had so many knowledgable art dealers.

So, off we traipse, to our first appointment. And discover a trove in some one8217;s house8217;. A trove but not necessarily of treasure. Though frankly, what would I know? The lady is terribly sweet. Reassures us. Loves dealing with novices, likes to help. Insists she doesn8217;t believe in pressuring her patrons. Do not buy in a hurry, she says. She takes us on a guided tour through the works in her home. Wow, seems like she has discovered lots of unknown artists. Sheinforms us of several works being underpriced. Predicts great fame and fortune for most of these chaps. Funny, some of those artists have been around for eons, and yet they are still to be discovered? When the prices unfold, we are left gasping. Any deal we are getting is definitely stacked against us. Wither the great deal8217; on discovering an unsung artist8217;s work, and buying whilst still modestly priced?

We step out, not much wiser. But I8217;m sort of touched at how this home-maker has travelled around looking to promote artists and indulge her own interest at the same time. Labour of love?

Then we are off to see another art dealer. A few minutes into a conversation, and the views of this lady sound suspiciously familiar. So does some of the art. Hey its almost Deja Vu!

The spiel she trots out is near identical to the previous lady8217;s. And as for those unknown8217; artists? Surprise. She seems to know them too. This time I am less quick to be touched by her zeal to spread the goodness of art. The story tendsto repeat itself a few times through the week. As for the take your time8217;, most call us incessantly. This leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. Where is the truth in all of this? I8217;m not a connoisseur of paintings, but trying to peddle pedestrian art for inflated prices and trying to convince novices that its terrific bargain is unfair, surely? To be a dealer, all it seems to take is money, contacts, and a handful of works by a few famous artists thrown in, for authenticity. And what about the artist? Doesn8217;t he/she care who they deal through is there no answerability?

I dare say I am being harsh. For I did meet one dealer with heart and knowledge. The pleasure of spending time with someone like that, was well worth all the toads we kissed. Bottomline: One is still confused about what is a good price. And how to identify a trustworthy dealer.

Eyes wide open

Deepti Naval is known for her movie career. An actress with a soft, gentle presence and limpid vulnerable eyes. Eyes that are supposedto be windows to the soul. Well all I know is, they did tell me she had depth to her. But the measure of her depth is something that, I think, even she is in the process of discovering.

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Well what else would you say if you hear that the lady takes to painting one day, and lands herself an exhibition which sells fairly well. She is supposed to be an actress, I thought. That is to be her chosen route to discovering herself. But, not so surprising when she tells me she majored in art, from Hunter8217;s in New York.

Then she takes to writing poetry. One published book. Another collection underway. I hear some of it. Heavily influenced by pain of sensitive soul. Shades of Sylvia Plath self-professed lover of the lady8217;s work.And now she has just returned from Delhi, where she exhibited her new love. Photography. She tells me, her collection is based on a whim of a trip to Leh. She spent two months there. Shot only five rolls. Ran out of money. Or else, me thinks, she may not have returned at all! That much in lovewith Ladakh8217;s unspoiled beauty was she. Her exhibition was appropriately? titled In search of another sky8217;. Ah, I almost forgot. She did script and direct a serial for TV. I think it was titled Thoda Sa Aasaman.

So whatever it is you are looking for lady, I hope you find it. Meanwhile, I love your style of hunting.

Anuradha Tandon is an ad film-maker.