“The best introduction to art is to stroll through a museum. The more art you see, the more you’ll learn to define your own taste.” Jeanne Frank
Delhi, despite being the capital and the so called art-hub of the country, is still witnessing dearth of cultural spaces and institutions when it comes to exhibiting art-work. But thanks to some art enthusiasts who take a step forward to create opportunities for worthy artists; Kiran Nadar is one such art-collector.
She is someone who has been quietly collecting art for almost two decades now, and it is justifiable that she thought, better not to store them away, rather share it with public. Thus, originated the Kiran Nadar Museum of Arts. To know more about the museum, its collection and the person behind, One World News caught up with Kiran Nadar, read on to learn more.
When was it established?
Sponsored by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, KNMA was launched in 2010, along with the exhibition titled ‘OPEN DOORS’. KNMA became perhaps the first concrete private initiative that was thinking on the premise, that museums are not only storehouses or sites for displaying art works, but organic places that thrive around dialogue and interaction.
Do you conduct exhibition as well?
Of course, we have regular exhibitions of works both from the collection and also loaned works. We run our exhibitions for several months so that it is not just the art fraternity, who are aware of the museum but also activates visits by the common people, who can learn more about the art, the artist and the entire perspective behind it.
What sort of art do you promote?
The growing permanent collection of KNMA is largely focused on significant trajectories of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art. The core collection highlights the magnificent generation of 20th century Indian painters from the post-Independent era and equally stages the disparate art practices of the younger contemporaries.
Talking about art, what do you think is lacking in Indian art society?
For a lot of people, who have no initiation into contemporary art, the first step towards comprehension is difficult. This lack of understanding may lead to a lack of interest, and thus, appreciation. Probably, the hierarchy of subjects that schools propagate at a young age can be blamed for art being relegated into a defined role of beautification. But this is where institution like ours, plays an integral role in making art accessible to the people, by organizing walks, art- talks, publications and other such interactive programs which give a broad insight to art, its meaning and its comprehension.
How are you trying to engage youngsters or the society at large in artistic work like pottery, painting etc.?
One of the most important mandates for Kiran Nadar Museum of Art has been to increase awareness among the common people and sustaining viewership. Our team has been constantly working towards strengthening our connection with people and to nurture their understanding of Art.
The museum team works extensively on public programs, which focus on the visitors’ experience of the museum, and what they carry back from their visit. We regularly conduct workshops and talks around the exhibitions to make their museum visit an enriching experience, which would encourage them to be associated with the museum activities.
What is ‘Interaction with art’ section on your website about?
The ‘Interact with Art’ section is aimed at children and to introduce them to simple ways of looking at art works. The section features the works from the collection along with a zoomed in part of the art work with pointers that guide the viewer into noticing those specific aspects of the art work.
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art is located at 145, DLF South Court Mall, Saket, NewDelhi. KNMA is dedicated to promote the use of its collection for education, exhibition and research.
