To Let the World In: Volumes 1 and 2

Abstract

Volume 1 of the film chronicles the spirit and legacy of the Narrative-Figurative movement in contemporary Indian art. This was initiated by a group of artists and a critic in the 1970s, in an attempt to explore the particularities of locality, gender and politics. The film features artists Arpita Singh, Gulammohammed Sheikh, Vivan Sundaram, Nilima Sheikh, Nalini Malani, Sudhir Patwrdhan, Ranbir Kaleka, Pushpamala N., Anita Dube and Atul Dodiya along with critic Geeta Kapur. The conversations are marked by memories of the late Bhupen Khakhar, their friend and co-artist. Volume 2 of the film looks at a period of tumult starting in the ealy 1990s, marked by a crisis in art education, the rise of the Indian market and the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in India. The film focuses on the dramatically altered context for art production through conversations with Anju Dodiya, Archana Hande, Benitha Perciyal, Sharmila Samant, Parvathi Nayar, Riyaz Komu, Tushar Joag, Shilpa Gupta, Josh P.S., Gargi Raina, Sukmakshi Singh, T.V. Santhosh, Narataj Sharma, Anandajit Ray, Gigi Scaria, Reena Saini Kallat and Jitish Kallat.