Indian Art Summit 2009: An arty delight

In the recent times the art market was affected by the much talked about global meltdown. But now Indian art is getting back on rails. Amid the speculations and manipulations going on, the by and large feedback is that the real art and artists will continue to exist and attain greater heights. The second thriving Indian art summit has proved it.

The Indian art summit 2009 had an immense response. Admits Neha Kirpal, Associate Director, Indian Art Summit, “I think whosoever took part in the summit had an awe-inspiring experience. We started with around 20,000 people working for us and by the end it was double in number. Commercially also we did very well as we had huge amount of sales. We again have had an outstanding response as we had last year.”

India Art Summit has come at a time when there is a perceptible requirement in the art market for a wide-ranging, global platform for Indian art. Besides being the single leading platform of Indian art, the affair will be the first major exhibition of international art in the country. The central objective of India Art Summit was to focus on education and raising awareness about art, which has been effectively done this time as well. Part of this comprehensive outreach was particularly the International Speakers’ Forum, with over 45 prominent Indian and international orators.

Following the landmark success of India Art Summit 2008, the art fair this year as well was an ultimate factor in setting an atmosphere for the art market. From the 3 international galleries in 2008, this time about 17 galleries showed up from around the world including some of the most prominent international galleries from Europe, Asia & the United States.

The second edition of India Art Summit was supported by Sotheby’s and brings together a string of collaborations with organisations in support of the fine arts including Asia Art Archive, Asia Society, Lalit Kala Academy, The Devi Foundation, and The British Council. It exhibited the most assorted range of modern and contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography; mix media, prints, drawings and video art by time-honored and forthcoming artists.

The fair ensured that the contemporary art scene in India, in the sub-continent and the South Asian region gains visibility. It also offered an insight into the richness and diversity of these markets to the visitors from across continents. It simultaneously allowed collectors & investors from this region to access global art in their home turf.