The Bawwaba section at the 15th edition of the Art Dubai fair, that's on till March 13, is likely to generate interest for its spotlight on contemporary works that speak a global language yet are rooted in regions beyond the western capitals of art. Curated by Mumbai-based cultural theorist Nancy Adajania, Bawwaba (Arabic for "gateway") highlights the divides that rig the art
How Mumbai Gallery Weekend is getting its mojo back
After a period of reflection and renovation, gallerists hope to revive the in-person aspect of art-viewing. Some 22 art venues in the city will stay open late to welcome visitors to this year’s Mumbai Gallery Weekend. January 17, 2021 / 09:59 AM IST
Many art lovers spent the last year learning to pinch and zoom the details on modern masterworks in virtual exhibitions, or press and hold Instagram Stories to appreciate the finer points of contemporary paintings. They rarely had the opportunity in that period to be in the same room as the pieces, overhear the assessments of strangers, and hover over platters of wine and hors d’oeuvres. Some of the old-normal magic is expected to return as galleries, which gradually reopened towards the end of 2020, will coordinate to take in visitors for longer hours until January 17 as part of the Mumbai Gallery Weekend.
Rooshad Shroff, at Rooshad Shroff Gallery, Fort
For MGW 2021, architect Rooshad Shroff has teamed up with artist Tanya Goel for Obverse , a limited edition embroidered chairs. Speaking to AD India, Shroff explains, Obverse celebrates embroidered furniture and its intricate technique. Tanya s complementary artwork pays tribute to Indian craftsmanship. It was like translating a painting into embroidery form. This is Shroff s second collaboration with Goel after last year s The Gyaan Project, a charity initiative that also included contributions from BV Doshi, Atul Dodiya and Christian Louboutin. Initially launched to reinvigorate what many felt was Mumbai s fading art scene, the MGW has over the years grown vastly bigger in size and scale. Today, its major challenge is how to lure patrons back to museums after a year spent under Covid s dark shadow. Shroff says the timing is trickier still. On one hand you want footfalls and on the other, you don t want too much crowd and mainta