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HomeFeaturesIran-inspired hair box, iPad 'books'—India Art Fair 2023 goes intimate and political

Iran-inspired hair box, iPad ‘books’—India Art Fair 2023 goes intimate and political

Works of international artists are also on display, including a figure of M.F. Husain and two portraits of Chinese Premier Mao Zedong by Andy Warhol in his pop art style.

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A donation box for strands of hair, a life-size figure of M.F. Husain, a sari embroidered with the phrase ‘Home is the woman’s sphere’ in 15 languages — this year’s India Art Fair was not short on drama but still connected with the viewer on a personal level.

M.F. Husain portrait at India Art Fair 2023 | Theres Sudeep/ThePrint
M.F. Husain figure at India Art Fair 2023 | Theres Sudeep/ThePrint

The who’s who of the art world — artists, gallerists and collectors — showed up in full force, including Kiran Nadar, Manish Malhotra, Subodh Gupta, and Bose Krishnamachari.

In its 15th edition, which will run till 12 February, the India Art Fair showcases the work of established and upcoming South Asian artists. Works of a few notable international artists are also on display, including two portraits of the controversial Chinese Premier Mao Zedong by Andy Warhol in his signature pop art style.

But what caught ThePrint’s eye were two tents on the history of women’s hair and a digital bestseller rack of iPads.


Also read: ‘Guilt-free’ silk—this Meghalaya Eri silk village is tourist hotspot where weaving is sacred


The politics of hair 

At their exhibit Hair & Her, photographer Rohit Chawla and his ‘partner-in-crime’ Swati Bhattacharya, creative chairperson at ad agency FCB India, are inviting women to cut off a strand of their hair and drop it into a transparent donation box. By the first half of the day, the box had tufts of black hair, long grey strands, and even a piece of a braid.

Tufts of hair in the donation box at India Art Fair 2023 | Theres Sudeep/ThePrint
Tufts of hair in the donation box at India Art Fair 2023 | Theres Sudeep/ThePrint

“Intimacy is the algorithm of creativity. When one is moved to leave a piece of themselves behind, it’s more precious than an Instagram ‘like’,” says Bhattacharya.

Their exhibit was inspired by the women of Iran but goes beyond them to explore how cultures across the world have capitalised on women’s hair. “It’s not just Iran, hair apartheid has been going on all over the world. It started with [Mahabharat’s] Draupadi. Whenever you want to degrade someone, you say, ‘I picked them up by their hair and pulled them’,” says Chawla.

For Bhattacharya, unravelling the history of women’s hair reflects a history of subjugation that cuts across cultures, nations, and generations.

The focus of the exhibition is a collage of photographs and a short film depicting a woman bound by her long hair, trying to break free of all the expectations it brings. A striking image in the collage shows her hair curtaining her body — paralleling a woman in a burqa.

But the most powerful photograph in the display is a large portrait of an Iranian artist, hung on the side. Taken in Chawla’s home in Goa, the photograph shows an Iranian artist standing on his balcony, staring defiantly into the camera and cutting her long hair. Behind her is another large image that the photographer had captured five years ago — of the artist in a hijab.

Bestsellers on iPads  

The India Art Fair 2023 lays special emphasis on digital art. They showcase the work of three artists that were part of the fair’s fully virtual residency programme — Digital Artists in Residence.

One of the works that stand out is that of Gaurav Ogale, an artist, poet, and writer. Titled Bestsellers, it’s an audio-visual immersion into the lives of people Ogale has come across in his daily life.

Gaurav Ogle, artist and writer, at India Art Fair 2023 | Theres Sudeep/ThePrint
Gaurav Ogle, artist and writer, at India Art Fair 2023 | Tim Cook/Twitter

The six iPad ‘books’ are set up with a pair of headphones beneath each of them. Once you’re plugged in, the combination of ambient noises, conversation clips, and colourful and animated illustrations invite you to not just read the book but experience it too.

“When you enter a bookstore, there’s always a bestseller rack. But they tell the stories of business tycoons, politicians, and actors. I wanted to tell the stories of people who one would consider ordinary but have an extraordinary impact,” he says.

Ogale’s ‘ordinary’ characters have not been chosen because their actions are extraordinary but because they find magic in the mundane. One of the books, titled Meri Awaaz hi Pehchaan hai (which translates to ‘My voice is my identity’), tells the story of a taxi driver who ferries him from time to time. “He sang for me one day when he was dropping me home. I recorded the clip on my phone,” he says. When you put on the earphones under the ‘two-page’ book  the driver sings for you too.

Another of Ogale’s books is about the neighbourhood paan vendor. The author says that the paan he makes is like a map of India and lists out the ingredients brought from across the country.

The subtle animation enriches each story, and that becomes an important element for the artist. “All my memories are in motion, and the digital medium allows me to display them as they are,” he says.

An art fair for all

The India Art Fair 2023 has brought together 71 galleries and 14 institutions to NSIC exhibition grounds in Okhla. There are also several partner venues, including Bikaner House in the heart of Delhi. It is hosting a series of talks and heritage walks.

While inspiration and networking are great pulls, the fair is marketed toward collectors. Chemould CoLab, a newly established residency/exhibition space in Mumbai, is showcasing the work of three young artists. Almost all their pieces are already sold out.

“We’ve also priced the work in such a way that younger, first-time buyers can also buy the art,” says co-founder Sunaina Rajan. The prices start at Rs 45,000 and go up to Rs 7 lakh.

“As artists, this is the place to be. Not only do we get to consume such great art, but the gallerists and participating artists are also always open to conversation and sharing their knowledge,” says Priyanshu Chaurasia who has been attending the fair for over 10 years.

(Edited by Humra Laeeq)

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