Kochi Biennale 'art car' on auction block

A hand painted car 'Maximum Nano' signed by Malayalam megastar Mohanlal and previously displayed at the Kochi-Muziris art bienalle is one of the highlights of the upcoming Saffronart auction.
The car, a white coloured Tata Nano, painted in vivid colours by contemporary artist Bose Krishnamachari is being auctioned to collect funds for the bienalle, whose next edition is scheduled to take place in December 2014, according to the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).
The 24-hour-long online bidding hosted on the auction house's website is slated to begin at 8 pm (IST) on July 29.
"We had chosen the Nano because it is the common man's car," said Krishnamachari, co-curator of the 96-day biennale which showcased works of 90-odd artists from within India and abroad at 14 venues around Kochi before it ended on March 17.

Krishnamachari, a Mumbai-based artist from Kerala said he had used "maximum number of colours possible" to paint the car in the four-day exercise that began on February 14. The 50-year-old artist included the work, titled "Maximum Nano", under his renowned series "Stretched Bodies".
Art on cars have been a phenomenon across the world. Late English musician John Lennon and US singer songwriter Janis Joplin have driven in painted cars. American artist Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol as well as English painter-photographer David Hockney have painted cars.

"I used automotive paint. That will ensure the longevity of the work. We have got it laminated as well, adds 50 -year- old Krishnamachari, who is also president of the 2010-registered KBF.

Proceeds from upcoming auction would be a means to raise funds for the first chapter of the biennale that began on December 12, 2012, according to Shwetal Patel, Head of Programmes and Digital Development, KBF.
The 2000-founded Saffronart which has int its catalogue labelled the "art car" as an installation introduces the car with a zero reserve price. "The bidding starts at a mere Rs 100," said Shivajirao Gaekwar of Saffronart.
"This was keeping in line with Bose's well-known abstract idiom, this vivid, drivable installation evokes the myriad colours and emotions of India," he said.
The vehicle was donated to the KBF by Coffee Beanz, Kochi and the La Gallery 360 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, other higlights at the Saffronart's Travel and Leisure sale include objects from the estates of the late artist Jehangir Sabavala and silverware from the nawab of Murshidabad.
Campaign furniture, vintage luggage, sporting goods, collectible watches and vintage travel posters are among the offerings set to go under the hammer.