Matters of heArt
with Paramjot Walia

Samar Jodha

You exhibited independently at Venice, this time, in contrast to 2011 when you were part of a larger Indian presentation. How was the experience different?

My work was part of a video projection by various non-Indian artists in 2011. So I wasn’t part of India Pavilion that year. This year, we don’t have an India pavilion and this one is my first solo show. But it has been an exciting experience. As we know, Venice Biennale is 106 and the oldest of all art fests, so there is a fabulous opportunity to see works of some of the best artists in the world within one single event. Secondly, being from India, where the contemporary art industry is very young and still evolving in so many respects, it is always interesting to see and learn how they have put it together here and made it such a vibrant affair for everyone from artists to buyers, curators, art lovers and what have you. As far as being lonely to independently exhibit my work in this fest dominated by national pavilions, I think creating art is itself a bit of a lonely pursuit anyway. You are going out on a limb, creating something and, in my case, bulk of my projects including this one, are self-commissioned, so you are putting away your own resources and risking your own reputation every time. So it is a bit of a lonely affair anyway, whether I am exhibiting here or any other place. But that is the challenge and excitement of it for me.
You think nationalities are relevant in an international institution of this kind?

I think that is a contradiction that always marks the art business. On one hand we say, ‘art has no boundaries” and on the other we fall into a parochial trap, “Country X and Y was there at Venice but not India.” Or “India is now going places in the field of art.” I think the presence of country-specific pavilions reflects the fact that at least some countries, whether through their government or private initiative, recognize that it is worthwhile to showcase some of their finest cultural achievements on such a platform. And that it will bring in long term dividends in the same way that, say a Festival of India or a tent at Cannes Festival will. Of course, this applies more to countries who are on the margins of global culture. I don’t think the Americans need to set up an American pavilion.