There has always been a constant struggle between the actual interpretation of art and the theory that culture defines art. To offer a little more insight into the nature vs culture debate, Apparao Galleries’ ongoing art exhibition, ‘Nature in Fountains of Life/ The Rain Room/ The Sand Storm’ dwells upon what exactly defines art.
The show features works in mixed media that include photographs, installations, paintings and sculptures, in a bid to push the boundaries of art.
The exhibits by 17 artists with prominent names like B O Shailesh, Parul Pattani, Avishek Sen, Abir Patwardhan, Bhawna Sonawane, Sujatha Shankar Kumar and Shino Jacob to name a few.
Bringing in experiences, cultural perspectives and political statements that are abstract, surreal and a plethora of gender and social issues, the artists present the never-ending inspiration that nature can offer.
Extending the impact that nature can have as a fountainhead of creations, the topics go as far as tropical rain forests to the raw, sensual beauty of nature.
From social causes to art that celebrates the pristine beauty of nature, this exhibition is a winding and unending journey that nature takes an artist on. After all, man and nature are inseparable.
The genesis
The debate between nature and culture dates back to the time when Marcel Duchamp brought a urinal to the gallery, calling it a work of art. Later, there was Joseph Beuys talking to a dead hare in a German gallery and Yves Klein , who sold empty space as art work. There are Indian examples, too — M F Husain worked on a series of paintings and then whitewashed all of them after the art show.
Tracey Emin once displayed her unmade bed as a piece of art. Thus cropped the new art history when the concepts of art intermingled and the lines blurred. But, it resulted in a debate that is still raging on — what is art? Is it something that an artist creates with an aesthetic approach? Or, is it a natural wonder?
The exhibition is on at Apparao Galleries, Nungambakkam till September 30.