“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

The editor welcomes the year 2016 with an interactive essence, and a notable spirit to bring out the artist in you. The notion that I am going to put forward is ‘the making of a VISUAL ARTIST’. In the words of Pablo Picasso, ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”. Do you already feel creative? Well the creativity lies in each one of us, and to be creative is to make connections between new ideas that kindle in your minds. Awakening of novel ideas, experimentation with self limits and then coming up with some finest of expectations is all what an artist’s soul delves for. Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. It does not matters how much experience we have, the only captivating effect is the amount of wondrous innovation
involved and the will to think differently that how you choose your distinct path.

‘Art is a lens through which one could view the world and if the lens turned inward can be used as a magnifying glass to examine an artist’s life’. Journey back to centuries ago, and the down the art lane we can see the emancipated display of spiritual leanings, as art experience was mainly a primordial inner experience and urge. Art in India is said to release the flow of creative energies in a person’s being. The ancient Indian art or ‘Kala’ that can be innumerably seen around the subcontinent aimed at attaining the cosmic rhythm, and creating an innovative dialogue between ‘atman’ and ‘brahm’. With progression, the canvas of art experienced, experimentation, ideological expression, historical connotations and nuanced representations. Supported by various art movements, the art world has marked its significant position in the global scenario. Take a look around your surroundings, the contemporary art that originates from visual sense is covering the many varieties of creative expressions. ‘Novelty, unfamiliarity, rarity, and nascent precept flowering in the concurrent scenario leave us with a thought provoking imagination as how the tangible art is reshaping universally.

The painter has the universe in his minds and hands; all what is required is the medium to express. Art & Deal covers the artistic journey of Hema Upadhay, interviewed by Rajesh Punj, before the artist lost her life to a tragedy. Upadhyay stated, ‘My idea is to create a heightened level of romanticism in the order and chaos that emerge from the squalor and inadequate conditions of the city’s living structures’.

Preeti Kathuria in an interview with Nick Merriman brings forth the objective of museums in contemporary times and methods to improvise the efficiency of collecting. Ranbir Singh in his essay, ‘Geometrical patterns as work of folk art in Haryana -a sub regional study’, delineates the usage of geometrical patterns in architectural edifices of Haryana. Lina Vincent Sunish, brings forth the idea that art evokes in all peoples a sense of understanding and creativity and becomes a tool for self-expression and healing through her interview with the participants of ‘The Women’s Project’.

Art exhibitions that act as interlocutor are organised to explore tender relationships and to examine the subtle nuances of communication. The exhibitions on review in this issue are ‘Rustic Resonance’, an exhibition of artworks by Gopal Ghose, ‘The Silent call of the Earth’ by Achia Anzi, ‘Kesa-Vinyas’, and exhibition of photographs by Archaeological Survey of India
“MEZZATERRA” 12th solo exhibition by Indrapramit Roy by Anindya Kanti Biswas. The year is beginning with two major art extravaganzas, India Art Festival (with its first edition in New Delhi) and India Art Fair. Relish art to free the mind and soul.

Happy Reading

Siddhartha Tagore