/>EDITORIAL
Art Districts herald the centralization of galleries to/in a certain hub, which is considered to be frequented by art lovers and collectors than other places where galleries are seen absolutely scattered or de-centralized. In the west, where an established and structured art market has been in place for many decades, art districts are a common attraction. In India, striving for art districts both in Delhi and Mumbai has been a dire need of the changing time. As far as the Indian art market is concerned, the first decade of the new century saw centralization of galleries, at least topographically. It is ironical that it was a time when academicians were asking for decentralization in economy, politics, religion and socio-cultural spheres. Interestingly, the sites of art production, dissemination and consumption apparently grew more and more centralized at the same time. Increased flow in money, positive outlook towards development, international co-operations and above all speculative market profiteering as a new form of gambling enabled vigorous activities in the art market and it demanded the potential clients to be treated with all possible luxuries; galleries being in the same place was one such luxury that cities like Mumbai and Delhi could offer to them as in thesecities life often stands still along with the frozen traffic due to congestion.

Also, shared aesthetic as well as economic interests amongst the galleries became another reason for these gallerists to be in one place. Though, there are gallerists both in Mumbai and Delhi and elsewhere who claim that centralization is not the last solution for aggressive market activities in the case of art as they believe that it is the quality that decides the market for art. Though we cannot take this argument without a pinch of salt, so long as the tastes of the buying class vary from member to member, irrespective of the location, people would reach out for their kind of art. However, having an art hub or art district is the dream of its cultural inhabitants. Like a food court, mall, multiplex, super market and in crassest of terms, like a mela and a red light area, we cherish art under one roof; if not at least in one place. There was a move to make a mall in Delhi which would house only art. But somehow the idea was shelved as the organizers might have felt it no different from a boring museum. This issue of Art and Deal focuses on Art Districts both in India and elsewhere. Our writers analyze this phenomenon from various angles and experiences and come out with interesting stories. Gallerists
themselves speak to our correspondents about why they like or don’t like the idea of centralized artdistricts. Open Air Sculpture is another focus of this issue of Art and Deal. Reviews, previews and interviews enrich this issue of Art and Deal as usual.

As winter is around the corner, I request you to spare your old but good warm clothes with those poor people who do not have it. Though, I am looking forward to a society that functions happily without charitable acts, in the present reality we are supposed to do what we can.
JohnyML