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3 things Mumbai's art cognoscenti are psyched about right now
A new gallery and two stimulating shows: Plus an artwork that's going to MoMA New York next year
Wolfgang Laib’s MoMA 2013 artwork in Mumbai
"Pollen from Pine," Wolfgang Laib, courtesy Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke.
German artist Wolfgang Laib’s show "Passageway" is spread between two gallery venues -- Chemould Prescott Road and Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke.
Since 2006 Laib has maintained a studio in Madurai, the third largest city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and strewn the place with brass thalis, mounds of rice and vibhuti (ash).
What he's showing in India this time is a subtle, marvelous artwork called "milkstone," a barely perceptible depression in a white marble slab holding milk. Even at eye level it's tough to discern the play of surfaces as they meld into an exquisite organic whiteness.
In the other Laib work at Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, a sheer film of pollen, like a window of sunshine, skims the floor.
This work, called "Pollen from Pine," will be displayed in the atrium of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 2013. Catch it in Mumbai first.
Wolfgang Laib's "Passageway" till January 13 2012
Chemould Prescott Road, Queen’s Mansion, 2/F, G. Talwatkar Marg, Fort; +91 (0)22 22 0002 11/2, www.gallerychemould.com
Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, 2 Sunny House, 16/18 Merewether Road, behind the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Colaba; +91 (0)22 2202 3030, www.galeriems.com
L.N. Tallur at the city's best museum
Museum director Tasneem Mehta is dedicated to showing contemporary art at the Bhau Daji Lad (BDL) Mumbai City Museum.
Over at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad (BDL) Mumbai City Museum, artist L.N. Tallur’s "Quintessential" propels us into 2012.
Bangalore-born Tallur, divides his time between Korea and Karnataka. He is influenced by both east Asian contemporary culture and southern Indian tradition, and combines both in his art.
In his current show Tallur brings irony and humor into BDL's museum space.
His objects are familiar, such as a wood carved goddess figurine set aside in her own room. Then the artist subverts the isolated museum showpiece with a whirring metal plate which seems to deface the idol.
In interactive pieces like "The Enlightenment Machine (beta version 1.0)" Tallur keeps mass-produced statuettes for visitors to deface using an old-fashioned, pedal turned polishing machine.
L.N. Tallur's "Quintessential," till February 4
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, Veermata Jijabai Udyaan, Rani Baug, Ambedkar Road; +91 (0)22 2290 2596; www.bdlmuseum.org
New art gallery, old Colaba building
Mumbai's Colaba art district gets another new gallery.
“We will show mid-career artists and cutting edge younger artists with a good gallery backing from abroad,” says Thadani.
His intention is to encourage Indian buyers to start collecting art from around the world, starting with German artist Anselm Reyle for his opening show.
If Laib shows an understated subtlety, Reyle likes the “loudness of color." His mylar and neon light installations are so shiny, you may want your shades on.
Take them off for Reyle's porcelain piece, upstairs, in this new split-level gallery.
Anselm Reyle's "Indian Mylar Vision" till February 20 2012
Galerie Isa, 132 Great Western Building, 1/F, SBS Road, opposite Lion’s Gate, Colaba; +91 (0)22 66373432/33; www.galerieisa.com
More on CNNGo: Best Mumbai art galleries
