Curator Meena Vari talks about the significance of this exhibition in the current scenario
Satire has played a significant role in popular culture. Artists have often used it as a tool to comment on the socio-political situation. Sub-Plots: Laughing in the Vernacular, which has been organised by The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai in association with Colaba-based Sakshi Gallery, displays some such works by 24 artists spanning over six decades. Well-known names including Amit Ambalal, Anirban Mitra, Atul Dodiya, Bhupen Khakhar, KG Subramanyan, Mithu Sen, Subodh Gupta, Thukral & Tagra and Waswo X Waswo are showcasing their creations, which range from multimedia installations to photography, paintings and graphics. Curator Meena Vari talks about the significance of this exhibition in the current scenario.
What is the idea behind Sub Plots: Laughing in the vernacular?
The idea came about because all of us are from different socio-cultural backgrounds and carry a certain kind of cultural baggage, which is mostly good, but sometimes bad. Some of these are imprinted on our lives and make our identity. So, they keep coming back in one way or the other. Often, we find references that are universal. Here, the vernacular is not about the native, exotic or the old. It refers to our local instances, histories and context along with what is considered as common, contemporary and global.
Which are your favourite works amongst the lot?
I like all the works. Each of them has made specific references and so each one has its space in the show. Like Sen’s interpretation of gender politics, Vivek Vilasini’s show of the ‘psychology of wants’ and the funniness with which the promoters are playing with the human mind, Anup Mathew Thomas’s real stories from small towns and KP Reji’s take on politics using light moments from the every day. Atul makes you laugh loudly with his references and his funny caricaturing in the Anarkali series.
In today’s age when humour has got a whole new definition with web series and stand-up comedy, do you think the value of artistic satire has increased?
Making someone laugh isn’t easy. Historically, humour in visual art was not considered serious enough but in recent times, the contributions by artists using this as a tool has been recognised. It gained more attention when visual artists started saying sensitive, serious and difficult things using satire. Also, it makes the artwork more accessible when there are subtle humourous subtexts. It has become so widespread now because of social media. It connects with all kinds of messages from slapstick comedy to serious intelligent, witty statements or messages.
(From left) Jai Ho by Atul Dodiya; and The Observationist at Leisure by Waswo X Waswo
Do you feel that such exhibitions are the need of the hour as they would help artists to talk about freedom of expression, especially since they are subjected to censorship?
Yes, the artists also bring out things that aren’t usually in public like human frailty, challenges of language, class and histories of the country, self and social hang-ups. It is important that we support artists as they point out things and make us aware of what is going on.
Sub-Plots: Laughing in the Vernacular is on at NGMA Mumbai till
January 14, from 11 am to 6 pm.
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