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A bouquet of art

A BEGINNING Mukesh Panika at the launch held at The Oberoi Hotel

When there is too much of something on offer, chaos is bound to happen. The art scenario in India, especially in Delhi is undergoing that chaotic stage. Art galleries mushrooming in every nook and corner, with as many artists’ works on sale and exhibition, absence of proper information centre on art, artists, investments, insurance, conservation et al, have only added to the confusion. There is also a distrust that looms large over the authenticity of the auctions and sales of the art works. It has revealed how unorganised the art sector is.

To bring some transparency and make the art sector a little more organised, Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) launched its Religare Arts Initiative (RAI) this week in New Delhi. A part of the Ranbaxy promoter group, Religare is one of the leading integrated financial services institutions in India. It offers services in retail, wealth and institutional spectrums.

So what is RAI? How will it prove to be a one-stop spot for art? How will it work? What is its credibility? How would it stop dishonesty that has crept in the sale of art works?

RAI would be a 360 degree platform that will have everything and anything to do with art. It will cater to the interests of collectors, investors, curators, artists, buyers, students, art lovers and so on. It will provide services at structural, educational, advisory, residency, funds and informational level.

At structural level RAI will have gallery space for blue chip, middle level and new artists irrespective of their style, medium and age. This space will also have space for a bookstore/ souvenir shop/café etc. At informational level, the library and documentation centre will have information about everything related to art. An in-house advisory services would have a panel of art experts guiding the seeker on art history, movements, investments, auctions, museums art galleries, shows, art prices etc., for a nominal fee. At education and awareness level, RAI plans to begin from schools.

Says Mukesh Panika, who is the Head of RAI, “We would try to trickle down the information about art to the very basic level. It will include creating documentaries on art related things, organise seminars, conferences to educate students about art. In our residency programme, a space would be chalked out for talented artists who have no space to work. We will identify these talents and nurture them. For that we will collaborate with those who are already doing it. Through Art Fund, an opportunity for art investors would be opened for investing in art as mutual funds. It may include renting and buying of art works. This model would be replicated all over India.”

Sounds impressive but most such initiatives end up becoming a money minting exercise. Lobbying and favouritism creep in too. Panika assures this wouldn’t happen in RAI. “Our revenue generating sources would be initiatives like souvenir shop having utilitarian art articles like mugs, cups, bookmarks, cards, envelops apart from art funds, nominal fee for using our data base and advise, etc. We are aiming at ‘market correction’ and doing art for art’s sake. It is to bring transparency in the system. We would sustain it only through public participation otherwise such huge exercises usually fall flat. It would be like a story telling exercise or say music that spills through people if it is good.”

RAI has already roped in people like Anjolie Ela Menon, Alka Pande, Tunty Chauhan and Mallika Sarabhai, etc in its governing council, to advise seekers on art.

To begin with RAI would come out with a gallery of its own “very soon” and it has already done great documentation. It would be available to public through a directory which would soon be out in print and online.

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