Walk and talk art

For many, contemporary art appears stand-offish and is privy to only those with an in-depth understanding on the subject. So much so that the thought of setting foot in a gallery is daunting. But two Mumbai-based groups are weeding out such inhibitions with monthly art walks to a cluster of art galleries in south Mumbai. These walks are highly interactive, extremely simple in their discourse, are open to all age groups and all walks of life, and very casual in approach — their Facebook pictures show participants sitting relaxed on the floor at galleries or engrossed in conversations sipping wine. Infact, differing viewpoints about works of art are encouraged so that the overall commentary doesn’t sound textbookish.

Carpe Arte

Founders: Natasha Jeyasingh and Nathan Wadhwani
Price: Free
Join them on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/carpearte/
Next walk: August 17

Every second Thursday is Art Night Thursday, where all south Mumbai art galleries keep their doors open till 9.30pm, and open new shows, encouraging aficionados to gallery hop. Deciding which galleries to visit from the over 15 participating ones can seem Herculean. That’s where Carpe Arte, by independent art consultant Natasha Jeyasingh and software engineer Nathan Wadhwani, steps in. The duo who also collect art, only pick out galleries in Colaba. “Clark House, Tarq, Akara, Galerie Mirchandani and Steinruecke, Chatterjee & Lal, Sakshi, Sakshi Salon, and Project 88... we stick to this loop as these galleries are close to each other,” says Jeyasingh. While Jeyasingh handles the part of deciphering the artworks, Wadhwani manages the Facebook page and manning the group on D-Day. About 18-25 people show up every walk to four galleries, starting at 6pm and wrapping up by 9.30pm for food and drinks.  

Carpe Arte, or ‘Car-pay Art-tay’ as the group calls it, lets followers decide their own approach to understanding the displayed art. “Some want a detailed explanation of every artwork, some don’t study the visual, but are curious about the artist’s source of inspiration, while others are just happy to walk around and take their own meaning from an artwork. And so, I leave it open-ended and make it known that no question is stupid,” says Jeyasingh.

Sometimes the group splits up if few want to linger on at one site while the others want to proceed further. In between the walks, Jeyasingh given her expertise, throws in few nuggets about the art market. “Not everyone is aware that art can be purchased on EMI without interest, and that a budget of Rs 10,000, can get you photographic prints, etchings and lithographs,” says Jeyasingh. Carpe Arte also hosts visits to artist studios and held a game night, focusing on contemporary artists who’ve used games in their practice.

Art Walks Mumbai

Founders: Nishita Zachariah and Alisha Sadikot
Price: Rs 500 per head for 2 ½ hours
Join them on: https://www.facebook.com/artwalksmumbai/
Next walk: August 19

Starting Art Walks Mumbai for the two ex Bhau Daji Lad (BDL) museum employees was an extension of old duties. This meant taking the students of the museum course gallery hopping or turning guide and introducing visiting school kids to the objet d’art.

Moreover, Sadikot, an expert on history, heritage and natural heritage, has also been conducting independent heritage walks for the past 13 years. 

Art Walks Mumbai is held on the Saturday following Art Thursday Night. The duo ensures they catch a mixed bag of shows: group shows, solos, paintings and installations, or explore the lesser known. “We chose Byculla for our last walk, as not many are aware that the Special Project Space at BDL or the Nine Fish Art Gallery exists,” says Zachariah of Art Walks Mumbai that was also the official walks partner for the FOCUS photography festival this March.

Before each walk, they do a recce of the exhibited works at each gallery, study catalogue material and cross-check they don’t intrude on a gallery’s inhouse event. Explaining art to those unfamiliar with the artist or genre is a task and the duo religiously sticks to self-made guidelines. “We try to demystify art. We don’t use jargon or refer to ‘isms’. This is not a history or art class. We don’t want you to blindly accept what we say. For instance, not everyone thinks Raza is the best,” says Zachariah, adding that some members bluntly inquire ‘does this qualify as art and why is it even here?’

Additionally, a multitude of factors get tossed up as talking points. “We spoke about how Chatterjee & Lal (C&L) is a commercial space compared to Clark House that was first an artist collective, but now an artist union that hosts shows more politically driven than C&L.”