HT City

It’s all about art at this fair!

Get drenched in the colours of the palette as the annual India Art Fair brings loads to see and experience this year

- Henna Rakheja henna.rakheja@hindustant­imes.com

I t is time to see some of the most unconventi­onal objects in our surroundin­gs get a makeover and become a part of the art world. If you are an artist, a student of art or just a humble art lover, you must be aware of the upcoming India Art Fair 2016. But before you plan a visit to the annual event, it is important to get a sneak peak of what all the fair will offer in its eighth edition.

“There will be 3,000 works coming in at this site,” says Neha Kirpal, founder-director, India Art Fair, while standing at the site in Okhla, which has become synonymous with the annual art event. “Public access to art in Delhi and India is so severely limited. That is why we invested in a lot of marketing, did road shows in 2-tier and 3-tier towns and are trying to change the notion in India that art is an elitist pursuit,” she adds.

The fair has grown to become so popular that the organisers had to work with an architectu­ral firm this year, to design the fair and make it a pleasant navigation experience for visitors. It does seem like a smart move since the footfall has increased to 3 lakh people over the years!

The important aspect remains to be the business from sales, from which the exhibitors have high hopes. “First time buyers are our USP. We try to bring in newer audience and not just seasoned collectors. It is since we have tapped on this new interest that the fair has become popular,” says Kirpal.

Apart from the exhibits by 70 galleries and discussion­s on various issues, food has evolved as an attractive component of the art fair, with many enthusiast­s planning to visit the fair just to try out the food kiosks. And why not, especially when some of the eateries have planned special delicacies themed around the art fair!

 ??  ?? Glimpses from previous editions of the fair
Glimpses from previous editions of the fair
 ??  ?? The artwork Sound of Silence by Paresh Maity will be on display this year
The artwork Sound of Silence by Paresh Maity will be on display this year
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? PHOTO: ARJIT SEN/HT
PHOTO: ARJIT SEN/HT
 ??  ?? PHOTO: RAJ K RAJ/HT
PHOTO: RAJ K RAJ/HT

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