From the ‘Concerns’ Desk ... September 2008

So Many Rivers to Cross

Artconcerns.com is completing two years with this issue. It is a happy moment for all those who have been associated with www.artconcerns.com as writers, readers and researchers. Within this short period of time, this e-mag could cut across the boundaries and reach out to all those people who are interested in Indian contemporary art. I take this opportunity to congratulate all my writers and thank all my readers and well wishers.

With this issue, we are going for a design change, which should make the navigation easier. We have increased the width of the page by 25%. Images are bigger now and the scrolling is less. Our techie Feroze Babu has come up with this tab and accordian type panels so that one just needs to click on the section titles to see the contents. Hope you would find it easier. If any suggestion please write to me in johnyml@gmail.com

Besides, I am launching my personal blog along with this issue. The blog http://johnyml.blogspot.com is an avenue for me to share with you some ideas, events and observations, which perhaps I would not be able to put it in the authorized magazine format of www.artconcenrs.com. My personal blog is updated on a daily basis and I assure that I would reach out to you with interesting topics.

The Indian contemporary art scene is in a full swing as all we know. Though there are certain rumors that the market would collapse or there is a negative swing in the market, I would say that the kind of energy our art scene players are pumping in would alleviate it from any kind of catastrophe. Let us be positive.

It is very heartening to see that most of the galleries are showcasing the works of young artists. They are given fabulous openings with catalogues. New galleries and art activities are in place. There is an added interest on Indian contemporary art even from the general public. These all would add up to our general cultural fabric minus any kind of chauvinism and fundamentalism.

I am worried by one of the unprecedented events that took place recently at the Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi. The occasion was the opening of a group show of South East Asian artists put together by the Khoj International Artists Workshop to celebrate its ten years of existence. A Delhi based Iraqi expatriate artist, Al Saidi Hassan was manhandled by some unwanted elements during this opening and it raises a few questions regarding the ethics of our art scene. I will discuss this issue in detail in one of my articles. The major question comes to my mind is, whether someone should be physically abused in order to keep the sanctity of the works of art?

As usual, this issue too has got interesting articles. Do enjoy reading and welcome the days of festivals.

Yours truly,

JohnyML
johnyml@gmail.com