India Art Fair is the leading platform showcasing modern and contemporary art from India and South Asia. In a celebration marking its landmark 15th edition, this year it is running from 1 to 4 February at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in New Delhi. In partnership with BMW India, the India Art Fair 2024 kicked off with a spectacular showcase featuring 109 exhibitors, including 72 galleries and major regional and international art institutions. For its biggest edition yet, the fair welcomes a total of 31 new exhibitors, including 7 new design studios in its first ever collectible Design section.
In a conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Prof. Dr. Thomas Girst, Global Head of BMW Group Cultural Engagement, offered compelling insights about the India Art Fair 2024, as the narrative unfolded at the crossroads of art, business, and societal responsibility. Reflecting upon his enduring connection with the art fair, inviting contemplation on its transformative journey and growth, Thomas observed, “We are undoubtedly in a better place now with the pandemic no longer claiming tens of thousands of lives globally.”
With this acknowledgment of a brighter global scene, Thomas delved into the role of BMW Group in the art world over the past 50 years. He underlined the importance of societal reciprocity in successful business, articulating BMW’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for effective brand building. He explained, “Art fairs play a significant role as platforms that bridge the commercial and narrative aspects of the art world.” This sentiment underscores the company’s approach, evident in initiatives like the ‘The Future is Born of Art’ commission, dedicated to propelling emerging local artists forward. Sashikanth Thavudoz is the winner of the third edition, following Faiza Hasan and Devika Sundar, the winners of the 2022 and 2023 commissions, respectively.
Expressing BMW’s dedication to art, sustainability, and innovation, Thomas elucidated, “We aim not only to showcase our products but also to encourage other Indian companies to contribute to the arts.” As the conversation shifted towards the Indian art scene, Thomas positioned India as a crucial growth market, stating, “India is a crucial country for BMW.” Despite selling 15,000 units in a population of 1.4 billion, BMW sees a long-term commitment, seeking not just commercial success but also inspiring other Indian entities to invest in the arts.
Delving into the dynamics of the Indian art landscape, Thomas acknowledged its global importance while identifying areas for growth, particularly in contemporary art. He predicted a shift in focus towards contemporary Indian art, both domestically and internationally, affirming, “I believe the focus will steer more towards contemporary Indian art, both domestically and internationally, as wealthy Indians increasingly invest in it. Great artists like Anita Dubey are making a notable impact on the international stage.”
The Fair Director, Jaya Ashokan, also shared insights into the major highlights and the evolution of the fair with The Sunday Guardian. “This year’s edition is a celebration of our achievements over the past 15 years, marking a significant milestone in the journey of modern and contemporary art in South Asia. We have more than a hundred exhibitors, including leading international galleries and institutions, underlining our commitment to championing world-class art in South Asia,” said Jaya Ashokan.
Among the notable international participants are Galleria Continua, Marc Straus, neugerriemschneider, Masarrat, and Ethan Cohen Gallery. After enthralling everyone at the India Art Fair 2023 with his photo-realistic oil paintings, Yigal Ozeri, the world renowned photo-realistic artist based in New York City, is back with an amazing new collection showcasing the hustling bustling life in the markets of India. Another artist to watch out for is the noted Italian designer and thinker Andrea Anastasio.
This year fair introduces its first Design section, featuring signature furniture by Vikram Goyal, collaborative pieces by Rooshad Shroff and artist T. Venkanna, unconventional jewelry by Studio Renn, and more. Galleries like Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Aequo contribute to the conversation between art and design. “In addition to commemorating our past, we are dedicated to shaping the future. The fair features emerging talents like our Artists in Residence and Digital Artists in Residence, showcasing their innovative perspectives. The outdoor projects around the fair grounds, from large mountainscapes to impactful installations, are a testament to the scale and scope of this edition,” added Ashokan.
Among the highlighted projects are a mountainscape created by Skarma Sonam Tashi and Philipp Frank, supported by sā, the German Embassy, and the Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation. Eminent Indian artist Gigi Scaria presents a pivotal installation supported by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, while young artist Pulak Sarkar’s installation is supported by Bangladesh Art Week. Inside the fair tents, there’s a special installation by Jitish Kallat, supported by FICA and JSW Foundation, reflecting on the nature of time itself.
“Our Talks Programme is a reflection of our belief that the future of art is built on dialogue and collaboration. This year’s program brings together a diverse range of cultural thinkers, fostering an unprecedented exchange of ideas. We aim to be at the forefront of shaping the discourse in the global arts community,” stated Jaya Ashokan.
“As a fair, our fundamental responsibility is to amplify the voices of our artists who address pressing issues of our times through their art. We are truly proud of our artists this year who demonstrate sensitivity and courage in addressing issues like gender, sexuality, and caste. The Design section is a crucial step in facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration,” explained Ashokan. Artists contributing to the discourse on social issues include Rajyashri Goody (GallerySKE), Mithu Sen (Chemould Prescott Road), Bhuri Bai (Inherited Arts Forum), and Prabhakar Pachpute (Experimenter).
As Fair Director, the journey has been immensely rewarding for Ashokan. “The fair has matured and grown by leaps and bounds, becoming one of the most special events in the global arts calendar. We look forward to building on our learnings and achievements and continue to grow the fair into a year-round presence in the region, championing creative excellence,” summed up Ashokan.
In addition to the main fair at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, there are a lot of interesting parallel events currently running in the city. A fascinating wallpaper collection titled ‘Still Life’ by Raseel Gujral Ansal is on display at The Ballroom, Bikaner House. Belonging to the highest echelons of creativity both in terms of vision and execution, ‘Still Life’ offers a meditation on India’s Mughal and Colonial history. It’s the episode two of ‘Inscape: A Lucid Dream’ wallpaper collection.
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi is hosting a major international travelling exhibition titled ‘Critical Zones. In Search of a Common Ground,’ which brings together an extensive collaboration of international artists, designers, scientists, and activists. The exhibition is a travelling adaptation of ‘Critical Zones. Observatories for Earthly Politics,’ which was conceived and exhibited at ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe. Based on a concept by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel, it was curated by Mira Hirtz and Daria Mille. The New Delhi edition of the exhibition has been curated by Bettina Korintenberg. ‘Critical Zones’ will be on view from 3rd February until 9th March.
Italian Embassy Cultural Centre New Delhi is also hosting an exhibition titled ‘Parallel Cities.’ Inspired by Italo Calvino’s timeless masterpiece, “Invisible Cities”, this multi-layered showcase brings under the same roof the vision of four Italian and eight Indian artists, inviting the viewers to engage in a journey that transcends the boundaries of visual arts and literature. ‘Parallel Cities’ is on display from 31st January till 2nd March.