Museum for modern art to be built in Kolkata

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Museum of Modern Art (KMOMA) will be set up at the New Town area in Rajarhat on the outskirts of the city.

"We have signed the agreement with the trustees of KMOMA Monday evening and hope to start working on the $50 million project soon. This art museum is going to be the first of its kind in India," Harry Guggar, a company partner, told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

"We will have Delhi-based architect S.K. Das in our team to get a better understanding of the city's tradition and heritage," said Guggar.

The museum will exhibit a national collection of fine art from 19th century to contemporary times.

"The museum will be four-winged. The national wing for colonial and post-colonial art, western gallery for art from western countries including West Asia, far eastern wing for works of art from south asian countries as well as Japan, China and Korea, and an academic wing for multidisciplinary interaction," said KMOMA management trustee Rakhi Sarkar.

Structures built by Switzerland-based Herzog & de Meuron include Tate Modern in London and the Beijing Olympic stadium.