More About Indian Art Fair

Indian Art Fair Deferred to Attract More Foreign Galleries

Source: Outlook

Enthused by foreign interest at India Art Summit 2009, the next edition of the
country's biggest art fair has been postponed by six months to January
2011, which organisers hope will soon be a permanent annual global art
calendar event.

Held in August every year since it was first established in 2008, the third edition of the art fair will be now
begin six months behind schedule and would be held from January 23-26
next year.

"We needed to find a permanent slot in the international art fair calendar. For international galleries and many
of our visitors from around the world January is more suitable a time
than August," Neha Kirpal, Director, India Art Summit (IAS) told PTI.

At the last fair 17 international galleries brought world renowned works
such as Picasso and Salvador Dali for viewing by domestic audience as
well as to provide art collectors and investors a diverse cross section
of world art.

"We had to reschedule the summit because we were aiming at a bigger international participation. The pleasant January
weather draws more tourists to the capital," says Kirpal.

"Besides that, for Delhi as a city it is better weather-wise. Starting from the
third edition, India Art Summit will be held every year in January,"
she adds.

The fair, which last year showcased video art as its highlight, will focus on solo projects in 2011, the organisers said
adding that currently they were accepting registrations from exhibition
space from galleries and art houses across the world.

The venue of the fair, Pragati Maidan has remained unchanged but organisers say
the event would be much bigger than last year with several new events.

A new section "Solo Projects" of the Art Fair is expected to be launched
with both displays dedicated to a single artist. An arts arena
dedicated to to the art industry, representing a range of art business
and organisations and a special educational series are the other new
highlights.

The exhibits will cover all genres of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, mix media, prints,
installations, drawings, video art and performances.

In 2009, the summit drew 40,000 visitors and was attended by 54 galleries from
across India, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America displaying
works of 500 artists.

"Last year, we sold 50 percent of the art work valued at Rs 26 crore and saw a three-fold growth in terms of
scale and participation compared to 2008," says Kirpal.

The third edition of the IAS will host a 900 square-metre outdoor space for a sculpture park, which will be curated by a panel.