Wednesday, 20 October 2021

A Woman...their different stories behind their respective lives -Damini Gupta

Basically nature has played a very important role in being my inspiration throughout my life. 

Art can be a meditation, or a place to reach when you're searching for solace. I feel the real me when I spend time doing my paintings. I'm an artist because somewhere I'm less expressive through my words, so I express through my paintings. Since childhood, I was interested in paintings, used to sketch and paint a lot. I’ve completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts, specialized in Painting from Amity University, Noida in year 2018. Also, currently I’m pursuing Masters of Arts- Drawing and Painting from IGNOU, Delhi.




My inspiration comes from God's creation, A Woman...their different stories behind their respective lives. My work tends to focus on women of our society who directly or indirectly blames themselves for every wrong deed happens to them. Whether their physical appearance, facial hairs, sacrificing of dreams for someone, caged in Society's boundaries, breakup, jealousy and many other emotions, though not intended but they started hating themselves. So now I'm obsessed with depicting our emotions…lifestyle, freedom, jealousy, physical appearance, inner soul, self love and self care. After painting and inspiring so much from today's women, one day I came across my own self. The motive which I have been searching for, I understated one very fine day that there was a pattern of thinking before putting it onto the canvas.

That is why I became an Artist for...to express emotions through my art.

 

Damini Gupta -Artist

(New Delhi, Delhi)

@artblogazine


View artwork on https://nipponfriday.com/product/damini-gupta-straight-or-curls/  

 

Sunday, 17 October 2021

BOOKING OPEN SOLO / GROUP SHOW

 

BOOKING OPEN SOLO / GROUP SHOW
Gallery Mumbai Location -Churchgate- Fort -Kala Ghoda
Available Booking form - Upload file
space 1 - Rs 18,000/-
space 2 -Rs 38,000/-
For 7days- Email Digital Marketing- social media - Live Video
Press Release - Digital Magazine
For more details contact-
+91 7439119228 - Kolkata / +91 98810 10953 - Mumbai
+91 95820 03792 - Delhi / +91 81302 22971 - Delhi
30/32, 2nd Floor, Deval Chambers, Nanabhai Lane, Flora Fountain, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001, India.


Saturday, 16 October 2021

“Unlock 2021” An Exhibition of Paintings by 15 contemporary artists from all over India

Press Release


A group art exhibition showcasing the recent work of 15 artists from different regions of our country have been displayed their recent works at Nehru center AC art gallery, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai- 400018 from 15th to 18th October 2021 between 11 am to 7 pm. It will highlight various works in different mediums, style and techniques presented by the participating artists under one roof so as to enlighten the viewers with the desired visual effects and intricacies in the relevant perspectives.



Painting Exhibition by Hetal Shukla



The participating artists in the show are: -


Burkhard Baier (Germany), Sahil Gosavi (Mumbai), Vinit Lahu Panchal (Mumbai), Hetal Shukla (Mumbai), Yashica Dhabre (Mumbai), Ghanshyam Gupta (Mumbai), Ajay Kumar Chowdhury, Saumia Debnath Royburman (Kolkata), Susanta Sarkar (Kolkata), Harsha Mandurkar (Goa), Sadashiv Vaidya (Aurangabad), Satyajit Shergill (Mumbai), Jayashree Bhagwanani (Raipur) and Shilpa Surana (Vishakhapatnam), Rujuta (Seema)Danait(Mumbai).

 

It will be inaugurated on 15th October 2021 at 5 pm by honorable guests Arch. Rajiv KasatSanjiv Patel(President Bharatiya Janta Party Gujarati Cell – Mumbai), Arch. Mohan K. UlanatDivesh Yadav(Founder President Mahantri Samaj Vikas Munch), Ravi S. Doddi(Hospitality Business), Dr. Jagannathrao Hegde, (Former Sheriff of Mumbai), Parag Shukla(Founder Urja Group), Shrikrishna Agarwal (Poet & Anchor), Deepak Shah (Art Lover)

 

          This exhibition will be curated by Ghanshyam Gupta. Various contemporary artists from different walks of life with diverse culture and social background have come together in this exhibition to showcase there in born talent and creativity. Vivid works covered in this show variety of mediums like oil, acrylic, watercolors, pen and ink, itching charcoals mix medium etc in different styles such as realistic, semi realistic, abstract, monumental heritage, figurative works etc. These present landscapes, beauty of nature, seascapes, emotional mindscapes, historical heritage of monuments, religious, spiritual works etc. in their respective arenas and perspectives.


 Press Release

From: 15th to 18th October 2021


 

VENUE:

Nehru Centre Art Gallery

AC Gallery

Dr. Annie Besant Road

Worli, Mumbai 400 018

Timing: 11am to 7pm


 

Sunday, 10 October 2021

Swaying in sanctity of Mysticism - Pankaja JK


Swaying in sanctity of Mysticism. 

A mesmerizing work, meandering in the unknown zone of Universe and creating the aura of mysticism is the apt introduction of R.B. Holle’s creation. His interest in tracing the secrets of nature was developed right from childhood as he is a sensitive person. His Art has developed over the years and within ten years he is so famed as a talented painter that, even the New York based Pollock Krasner Foundation has acknowledged his art and offered him a Jackson Pollock Scholarship.

 

R B Holle

In this series Holle develops galaxy, the whole Universe in a small frame by rhythmic presentation of granular forms in acrylic on canvas and even in installations by using toothpicks. The forms also seem to have movement, swift movements as it happens in Milky Way. The balance of forms in circular motions with dark hues consisting of lighter tinges creates a vibrant equilibrium; a complete cosmos and packed energy of life. Also, being an aesthetic, Holle has a theosophical touch due to strong belief in aesthetics and existence of God or mysticism.  Those images have romantic rural environs of Kasari, his native place. It breaths freshness, purity and virginity. The paintings offer unfathomable, vast and clandestine world in the midst of realistic hustle- bustle of metropolitan city, Mumbai where he presently lives and works.




To cater his future dreams, this youngster wanted to settle in wonderland of Mumbai. But who would support him? Initially he struggled and visited various Art Galleries, showed his paintings to almost all the famed artists like Dilip Ranade, Laxman Shrestha and Gaitonde. A few of them gave suggestions on improvements in his paintings, some suggested changes in color combination and a few advised him on the form of painting. Holle’s painting started modifying with the aid of these suggestions. So, he acknowledges his attainment of this vision of Art to experienced and supportive seniors and fellow artists. Steadily, the real essence of Abstract dawned on him that, an abstract painting is but a concentrated concept, expressed with complete liberty. It is the image through which observer has to explore and contemplate the core of concept and advent into unknown aspect of known possessions. Stars in galaxy, colliding celestial objects, illuminating planets, this colorful and shinning form of the Milky Way and its deeply rooted secrets seem to in the paintings.  

Holle is greatly inspired by the philosophies of Saint Tukaram and Lao Tzu. He also highly regards Gaitonde for his Art and considers him as his teacher. For him, at this stage of his progress as an artists, his own paintings are not just formless colour play; but a mirror image of unbiased and purest state of mind.  Hailing from a small village in Maharashtra, Holle graduated from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune. During his Diploma he mastered the skill of portrait painting and did figurative painting but it was strictly due to need of curriculum. He was always inspired by paintings of Gaitonde and abstraction was always a passion and fascination for him.









by Pankaja JK -2012





---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Places and Spaces.


R. B Holle


He is not just a painter but musically inclined too and one can feel his rhythmic sensibilities on reading his statement about his idea of painting. Though he states it in his mother –tongue (Marathi), here is the translated version of it, “There is a melody song in the silence and noise of nature which can be hummed…if it is put in lyrics and particular rhythm and resonance is applied according to its character , it can be made more melodious…same is the attractive natural light….clearly introducing its presence in darkness, indicating presence of life on this earth and universe around by being light of the day…light radiating on the sand of shores, on the water, peeping from behind the mountains…assuring life all over this earth…I have circuitously got associated with it and the subject, theme and emotions in paintings have unknowingly got its character…the association is like mother and child relation which could not be selected voluntarily like wise my naval chord was cut from nature.”      

This promising artist has truly remained faithfully to his passionate spontaneous painting related to elements from nature. In his latest exhibition called ‘Place and Space’ held at Jehangir Art gallery from 04th April to 10th April was a visual treat and meditative experience. This time he spread on his canvas the vast galaxy which is million kilometers away from our planet, a part of nature which is unbounded, indispensable yet remained to be explored at its fullest and yet fascinating to us. Its thoughts and images mystify us. It a womb where millions of stars, known and unknown planets are born and it is a womb that gave birth to our own Earth, which again like its creator has so many mysteries, beauty and mystical secrets hidden in it. Earth changes its makeover with every region, season and natural changes. It is always a visual joy to experience changing makeover of nature. The Galaxy above earth seems to act as a hanging mirror and reflects characteristic of nature in every phase and colour.


File Photo: R B Holle


Holle has tried to capture this in his paintings. His abstraction is always unwinding different aspects of nature. This may be because he opened his eyes to see the world in a small village with natural setting, a village called Aalandi in the lap of Bhimashankar mountain in Maharashtra.  Nature still dominates his place of birth and it is still away from urbanization. Holle now lives in midst of city hustle bustle where there is no breathing space, it has luxury, but that demands ones rightful leisure time, privacy. It is difficult to find trust, contentment and happiness in true sense. The paintings are perfect getaway from this obvious unavoidable stress in life. They are meditative in nature.

Pundole Art gallery 

Splash and swirls of colours seems spreading in rhythmic pattern highlights artist’s love for music. Along with the aura of musical compositions , there is a lavish use of colors of nature like blue and grey depicting clear and cloudy sky or blue water and shinning sand, variation in green of trees and plants, red, gold and other bright colors stand for birds, animals, flowers and so on. In some paintings there is a glitter in midst of grave dark background and this is his fascination for observing clear sky during dark nights that he usually observed when he stayed in village and slept in courtyard of his house, this beauty of nature has made permanent impression on artist. Holle confesses of having magnetic attraction towards ‘light’ in nature and its shine either in sky, on water or its ‘oasis’ effect on stretched shores. Idyllic settings are the undetachable from his paintings.

His paintings act as mode to escape from social turmoil for some time and have meditation like effect to make one relax. Person is bound to go in trance and feel light and peaceful. The present chaos in the world caused by natural calamities, advanced technology and energy used to produce dangerous and destructive weapons for mass destruction, unhealthy competitions among countries and people, poverty and likewise reasons seems to have stimulated Holle to present swirls, splashes charged with emotions something that is nice to eyes, mind and soul. Installation is also significant as it represents Nebula from which millions of small and big stars are born, all of them having their own DNA and some of them so powerful that they are said to influence human existence on this planet.

 

After college, he fully engrossed himself in abstract painting and today he is most coveted young abstract painter from Mumbai and Pundole Art gallery patronize his creation. His work is exhibited in almost all the reputed galleries in India and his paintings have been awarded and have the honor of  being collection at N.C.P.A. Mumbai, Torent House Ahmedabad, Sir J. School of Art Mumbai, Apparao Galleries, Chennai, private collectors and many other collection in India. Holle has a long way to go as he says he doesn’t know what lies in future and which new makeover of nature and earth will be projected in his next creations, but he is confident of coming up with something beautiful and peaceful.


--------

R B Holle @image text  copyright by artist /


Team artblogazine


 

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Shankar Palsikar (1916-1984) - “A Centenary year of Artist’s Birth” National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai

Shankar Palsikar (1916-1984) - “A Centenary year of Artist’s Birth

National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Ministry of Culture and Government of India in association with Shankar Palsikar Art Foundation and The Raza Foundation, New Delhi presents Shankar Palsikar (1916-1984) - “A Centenary year of Artist’s Birth”, a major exhibition of a visionary who shaped the course of modern painting. 

Prof. Shankar Palsikar a teacher of par excellence for generations of students, he evolved original interpretations to the traditional and rich art of this sub-continent by giving it a harmonious turn, a subtle twist there, thus creating a new contemporary world of Indian art. Palsikar Sir, besides being a great orator, was a sensitive writer in Marathi and English. He was born in Sakoli Village in Vidarbha. After his matriculation he studied in Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai (1942-1947). He was awarded several prizes including the most coveted one- the Meyo Medal- for his first class scholastic career in 1947 at Sir J.J. School of Art, the First Cultural Scholarship in Fine Art, by Govt. of India(1949), Gold Medal of Bombay Art Society(1950), Gold Medal by Fine Art Society of Calcutta(1950).



He was also honoured with Gold Medal and Life Membership by the Art Academy of Italy for his outstanding services in the field of Art and Art-Education. Beside the major honours mentioned above, he was awarded Silver and Bronze Medals on many art events in India and was nominated as one of the nine eminent artists of India by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. In 1965, he represented India in International Plastic Art Conference held in England. He was appointed as Dean of the Sir J. J. School of Art in 1968 and retired in 1975. As an art educationist, he was invited by Govt. of Sri Lanka to plan the academic programme for the art institutions in that country. He was nominated as one of the nine eminent artists of India by Lalit Kla Akademi, New Delhi and a member of advisory committees of various universities in India. 



The Indian Art fraternity that consists of both artists and art connoisseurs alike is aware that, like the master painters S.H. Raza, M. F. Hussain, V. Gaitonde and K. K. Hebbar, Prof. Palsikar had deeply contributed to the evolution of Indian Art, but unlike them, had always preferred to remain a devoted teacher to his adoring students. Being a pedagogue, unwilling to be in the artistic limelight, he never deigned to have a public viewing of his works, but a posthumous retrospective, during the year of his passing, was organised by Prof. Vasant Parab, then Dean Sir J. J. School of Art in coordination with the Govt. of Maharashtra at the Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai in 1984. It would be great privilege to artists and art lover to view his paintings at the centenary Exhibition at NGMA from 23rd Dec. 2016 – 31st Jan. 2017. 



It is a major exhibition of a visionary who shaped the course of modern painting. The exhibition is curated and designed by Arvind Hate. During the tenure of this exhibition, special art and cultural programmed such as musical evenings, book launches, dance and lectures would be organized at National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. These programmed have been designed in respond to Prof. Palshikar's persuasive conviction about inter-relationship of all art forms. He always used to remind us that artists from various art-practices must reciprocally react to each other and sense the common goal that creates fundamental understanding of art and aesthetic that strengthens the cultural growth of an individual in particular and society in general.

Convenor: Prabhakar Kolte
Venue: National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall, Mumbai
Inauguration: 23rd December , 2016, 6:00 PM
Open for Public from 24th December, 2016 till 31st January, 2017
Timing: 11:00 AM- 6:00 PM (Closed on Monday & Public Holidays)

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

BFA MFA - APPLY CALL


BFA

MFA


APPLY CALL

We are looking for artworks, drawing, creative painting, digital art, installation, photography

and more. Online / Offline Solo will be arranged for selected artist.

For more details contact- Moumita: +91 7439119228 / Heena:   +91 98810 10953

Deadline: 6th to 24th Oct - 2021 / View form on - Upload file - www.nippongallery.com


#bfamfa #jjschoolofart #barodaschoolofart #govtschoolofartkolktata #delhiartcollege #bharatbhavan #mumbai #sahantiniketan #kolkata



Friday, 1 October 2021

Ways of seeing..._* organized by NAF at NIV Art Gallery, New Delhi on 25th Sept, 2021.

When we perceive a piece of artwork, we not only try to dive into the scenarios of the visuals in front of us, but we also peep into the world of the mind of the creator. The mind of the artist can be as complex as a maze or as clear as transparent stream. The artist creates a work of art after experiencing various kinds of emotions and incidents. The emotions can as simple as happiness, anger, hatred, joyfulness, etc., but sometimes it transcends to an experience which goes beyond a definition of common emotions. The interconnectedness of contrasting emotions gives way to an idea which can be explained through art, and art only. With the addition of living in this busy world, we go through many physical incidents which brings trauma, anxiety, love, hope, etc., in our minds. Culminating all these emotions and experiences, an artist takes a respite in creating their work of art.

Painting by Heena Sk 


In this exhibition, aptly titled ‘Ways of Seeing’, the artists are trying to portray their thoughts and comments in the everyday human life through their artworks. Every painting or print is trying to open our perspective in some issues or incidents while tapping into the emotions that are already lying inside our minds. Many a times what we see or perceive, we are unable to express them. These artworks are carefully curated so as to ignite a conversation and help in communicating with the audience about the unsaid emotions and experiences.


The different visual elements helps in bringing out the various thought processes of the artists to the surface of the mind. And when these elements are gathered on canvas, we see new dimensions to the existing scenarios. What we see might not be what we perceive. The lines, colours, textures and spaces create a unique blend of visuals which helps us in breaking the abstract ideas into simpler forms. Sometimes it’s a different world altogether when we see it from somebody else’s perspective, and who could it be better than an artist?

-      AKASHDEEP BANERJEE



NAF in collaboration with Niv Art Centre presenting an exhibition of emerging artists ways of seeing 25th September 2021 to 28th September at Niv art center, 210 near IGNOU chowk, pocket E, Neb Sarai Sainik farm. New Delhi 110068

Here participants are Ajay Kumar, Ankit Kushwaha, Dhan prasad, Deepti Gaur, Debjyoti Saha, Heena Sk, Kartick chandra dinda, Nandkumar Pagare, Nooreen Fatma, Preeti Singh, Priyanshu Chaurasia, Moumita Sarkar, Rekha Gupta, Sandipa Mondal, Srishti Gupta, Sumon Bej, Sudatta Basu Roy Chowdhury, Swapan Roy. They all are from different cities. 

 Mr Avijit Roy senior artist of Niv Art Centre inaugurated the show on 25th September.


The art of each artist participating in ways of seeing is highly appreciated. The works of Santiniketan's artist Srishti Gupta, Hyderabad based artist Dhan Prasad, Maharashtra's Heena Sk and Delhi resident Preeti Singh are particularly interesting.

Shaji Methew and Aruna Anand Mathew the owner of Niv Art Centre and The Founder and Director of NAF Nandini Sarkar would like to thank all the artists for the way this 4 day show has come to an end in this pandemic time and for such a collaborative emerging artists, who helps lift the tie a lot.


    Text by Moumita Sarkar -Artist/ Kolkata 

@artblogazine.com


Ways of seeing..._* organized by NAF at NIV Art Gallery, New Delhi on 25th Sept, 2021.

The show will continue till 28th Sept, 2021, 11 am to 7 pm.
210, near IGNOU CHOWK, Pocket E, Neb Sarai, Sainik Farm, New Delhi, Delhi 110068

 

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Sexuality is a feeling. It has no visuals but it is a visual language. Visual art starts with nudity because it is the first stage of sexuality .


Nippon Gallery presents a solo show by Sandip Sen. We are glad to introduce his works that consists of German Expressions, erotic venting, striking and vivid Palate and bold themes .

Artist: Sandip Sen


Sandip Sen completed his BFA in painting from Kala Bhavana Santiniketan and pursued his MFA from college of Art and design, bardhawan  Sandip Sen is from Jalpaiguri , West Bengal, India.




Incorporating Kalighat Pata Painting style and themes notably Sexuality has been shown symbolically through objects. Such as balloon, Kettle orchid, leaves and sperms.

Further elements such as snake socks, grass, monkey cap, hand gestures, Electric plug, Nude female figures and copulating animals have also been assimilated in the intellectual paintings.

The idea of drawing has many complex processes in the initial stages, where not only drawing and painting but also thoughts are given a significant value. What the artist visually studies is then transferred to actual works incorporated with colour and attempt to present it in a conceptualized line. These paintings are anchored with pen, charcoal, ink, pastel, water colour, oil colour etc. These forms not only identify realism but also create another dimension.

Artist: Sandip Sen 


Line charges a crucial impact in Sen’s works, where it not only displays a celerity of his thoughts but also connects objects being laid on the sheets.

Black, red, pink, orange, green colors began to dominate the painting in a symbolic way. Next comes the use of gold, silver and fluorescent colors. At the same time small particles are observed, sensuousness, eroticism, clippings of ads, human figures, and antiquities are imposed more practically. 19th century popular folk culture of kalighat patta, wood block etc. can be observed in his work that are indulged with contemporary hoardings in cities that started producing college works explaining his thoughts.

Artist says, “my art is to talk about sensuality. “More to say that sexuality doesn’t mean nudity or vice-versa and nudity doesn’t demand only representation of the bare body. Sexuality is a feeling. It has no visuals but it is a visual language. Visual art starts with nudity because it is the first stage of sexuality.

From the beginning of his youth, the artist began to notice the pubic sign that changed his genitals, growth of pubic hair, and the beard, hair in armpit and abdomen and changes in hormones. The idea of sex gave him a completely different languages from where some biological changes became the subject or his work.

To enrich the visual language he used multiple layers including the digital on graphic quality at some place, to bring about theatrical effect in the picture cutouts are applied. He has started to use quotations from sexually related books.

Recent works by Sandip Sen


Sen’s works not only examine the inner desires of humans but also give them a unique look by combining various figures and forms that indirectly are related to the themes.

His bold use of colors and subjects continuously attracts human consciousness while making our minds contemplate human biological developments.

Nippon always has and will appreciate unique thoughts and works of contemporary minds and in this respect we exhibit Sandip Sen's art works.


-Art Blogazine 

We invite you all to visit the on view exhibition.

Cover Story - Solo show by Sandip Sen

Date : 22nd Sep to 5th Oct - 2021

Enter also online show:

https://nippongallery.com/product-category/cover-story-nippon-solo-by-sandip-sen/

Moderator by Moumita Sarkar – Kolkata

R.S.V.P: info@nippongallery.com

30/32, 2nd Floor, Deval Chambers, Nanabhai Lane, Flora Fountain, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001, India.

Nippon is India’s leading online contemporary art space

 

 

Wednesday, 29 September 2021

She is multidisciplinary and performance Artist

We are ecstatic to introduce our very own Ginseng artist Pratibha Sarkar, the woman behind Charcoal Foundation Bongora. Strong women are the real influencers for the youth.

 

Artist: Pratibha Sakar

A charcoal woman, herself, who loves to romance the canvas, a dedicated lover, happy with her soulful and lust less love; an affair which gives her a Divine feeling and enlightens her in all possible ways. She feels empowered and proud of her courtship and can relate herself to MEERA and her love for the Divine. But the four walls of life (box of life) tend to confine her and rob her of all her happiness, her dreams get locked in the box, but now no more ... It is time to be free from all shackles and breathe in the free fresh air…

 


She is multidisciplinary and performance Artist  

Pratibha Sarkar from paradise land of  India( Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands),born  in Port Blair, has  completed  her BFA and MFA from  KALA BHAVAN (dept of fine arts and crafts),  Visva  Bharati University, Shantiniketan , West Bengal, and achieved master’s degree  in education(education management )from IGNOU Delhi followed by her bachelor’s  degree in education  from Bhopal ,India. She has exhibited her art works in Lalit kala Academy Delhi, Bharat  Bhavan (7th international Biennale) Bhopal ,Birla Academy of fine art Kolkata, show at Art Gate Mumbai, solo exhibition  at  Taj Gateway Damdama lake, All  India woman Artist   Exhibition, Artscape, Chandigarh, india etc, Insul Art Exhibition, MGI Gallery and La  woman International  Art Exhibitions, Mauritius .etc.

Group exhibition in India Habitat Centre Delhi, Group exhibition Gallery Arpana-Delhi,NIV Delhi,

 


Pratibha Sarkar actively participating in workshops with various medium (charcoal, paper making, dogra  casting, live  mask making etc),she has been participated in International  Island Artists  workshop, Mauritius in 2007.

 

She is also interested  in conducting workshops on stress distress management through art(spiritual art, art therapy,) like mask making and charcoal drawing for kids and adults and also for special children’s from rehabilitation centers in India.


- Art Blogazine

Mumbai

 


Charcoal Foundation Bongora is feeling exceedingly happy to announce a unique International Live Performance Art Show, ‘ Ginseng’!



You are cordially invited to experience the live performances from  across the globe, virtually as well as physically -

On 2nd & 3rd October 2021,
From 11 AM to 6PM (IST),
At Zorba-The Buddha, Delhi.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH REPLACING THE WORD - ‘GINSENG’, WITH THE WORD - ‘PERFORMANCE’, FOR YOUR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SHOW -




Experiencing performance art is like consuming Ginseng for various health purposes. Ginseng is a herb - a slow-growing plant with fleshy roots with antiviral properties, which may restore and enhance well-being. People take Ginseng to heal various medical conditions. Ginseng has the power to improve thinking processes and cognition. Ginseng has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce oxidative stress. Ginseng has the power to treat impotence as well as many other physical and mental health conditions such as blood sugar and influenza etc. Ginseng may help stimulate physical and mental activity in people who feel weak and tired, however, scientists and health professionals often question the medicinal properties of Ginseng and no evidence, but the real-time consumption, which can conclude about its true effectiveness. Although Ginseng is safe to consume, people have reported the following side effects such as headache, sleep issues, digestive problems, changes to blood pressure & blood sugar, diarrhoea, rapid heartbeat, skin reactions and so on, therefore, there always has been an uncertainty, an irony, a paradox and a juxtaposition.

The show title, ‘Ginseng’, actually represents the perception and the reception of Performance Art’ in general, while the show embodies the content and the flavours of Ginseng virtually. The idea of this unusual show originated from looking at the current scenario of Performance Art in India itself, especially at the times of COVID-19 where the gathering of the audience has been restricted, where the live performance artists had to adopt to do performance on virtual platforms which is quite challenging since live performance is incomplete without the presence of the physical audience and their participation to a great extend.

As Ginseng is the herb for energy and healing, performance art is the herb to experience the Ginseng effects; pleasant or unpleasant, soothing or disturbing, both, for the performance artists, as well as for the audience!

- Pratibha Sarkar
   Artist - Delhi