Sarnath Banerjee brings together the works of eight graphic novelists from India and Switzerland in an unusual art show. Neha Bhatt gets behind the scenes
How did you integrate the works of 10 artists from two different countries in one show?
The brief of the project, Lupe, commissioned by the Swiss Arts Council, was to create a dialogue for people to learn about each other. As a result of a cultural exchange, Indian artists visited Switzerland and vice versa, stereotypes were broken while some were reinforced.
The way the novellas have been displayed is far from the usual “art exhibition” style.
I wanted the show to be disassociated from the ambience of a typical gallery. I wanted it to be different from art spaces that often keep people out. When you bring art into an open space, it takes away the preciousness.
I also wanted to keep the mood strong, diffident, making a point — this is how we look at art. The audience feels like he/she participated in it.
What are you communicating to viewers through this exhibition?
We are under-confident about the way we view art. What happens with books and films? Critics have a definitive view. But about art, we’re not so sure. Here, we are creating a visual commentary, unbiased reportage.
The genre of graphic novels has been popular of late. Do you think it will also be instantly recognised as an art form?
All this work would probably sell if put in the usual framework of a gallery, and not just because it’s trendy. The current economic downturn has burst the bubble, making people introspective.
It is a good time for the kind of people whom I have featured. We have raised the bar. But yes, it is more popular among younger people, and those who are well exposed — post-literate and elitist too.
Where does Lupe go from here?
The show will be taken to the National Institute of Design. There are many who would like to take up this form of art but don’t have the skills or the know-how. We are also putting together a book, due out in the middle of next year, which will compile the work of these artists and of other graphic novelists.