Think of art fairs and one is almost certain to be reminded of exorbitant prices. But a Kolkata-based annual event has set a benchmark for affordable sales over the past decade.
This fair is now headed to the national capital where visitors will have an opportunity to purchase pieces at unexpected prices.
The "CIMA Art Mela" is scheduled to take place from April 26 to 30 at the Visual Arts Gallery (India Habitat Centre) here.
A part of the fair's proceeds will go towards Art And Heritage, a non-profit foundation spearheaded by the Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA) to promote and support artists, art and cultural projects.
The fair will showcase the works of 80 well-known artists including Shubhalakshmi Shukla, Madhvi Parekh and Anju Chaudhuri.
The journey of this "middle class" art fair began 10 years ago with the aim to bring quality art by some of India's top artists and new emerging talent into hundreds of homes at dream prices (Rs 3,000 - Rs 75,000).
The fair's organisers said they have always been vexed by the lack of museums and facilities for public viewing of fine art in India.
"This lack of museums and public spaces means fine art has fast disappeared from the wider public domain of the middle-class intelligentsia and been trapped within the confines of corporate boardrooms and the drawing rooms of a few," CIMA said in a statement.
"The fair was conceptualised to bring art back into the lives of the middle class, which has traditionally shown awareness and love for the arts.
"After dialogues with the artist fraternity, we were convinced the answer was to provide original art on a credible platform at an affordable price for a wider and deeper audience. And the response, from the first morning of Art Mela 2008, has been nothing short of phenomenal," the statement added.
CIMA opened in 1993. It was designed under the guidance of renowned art galleries and museums in London and New York.
In a short span, it has emerged as one of the premier art centres of India.
--IANS
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