Saturday, January 1, 2011

The medium of photography draws keen collectors

India is experiencing a new urge for photographic appreciation. A quiet transition towards fine art photography is taking place. Western galleries keen on building a repository of Indian paintings and photographs have hastened the process.

India is a multicultural, multi-religious melting pot, the experience of which is essentially multi-layered. There’s so much experience. That's exactly what fine art photography aims to achieve. The multiplicity of moments is captured through passionate and panoramic pictures.

Until a couple of decades ago, the form was considered more an advertising or pure journalistic tool. However, the medium of fine art photography now attracts relatively younger and enthusiastic buyers, keen to experiment with a dynamic medium. They are now visiting galleries to collect quality photos.

The medium of photography arrived in India not long after its invention in 1840. It was embraced by British rulers and gradually by the upper echelons of the society. Studio photography was then widely used to create a steady stream of portraits. It was barely considered an art form earlier. In fact, photography as a medium has rarely been taught in art schools in India. As a result, there is no acute sense of its historic value or a reference on its practice. Thankfully, things are changing.

Contemporary photographers have gained from fresh interest displayed by art patrons, collectors and gallery owners. Dayanita Singh is among the favorite photo-artists at home and abroad. She is known for her work in documenting Kolkata’s upper- class families and capturing iconic images related to Indian history.

A greater number of artists better known for video, performance and installations, now opt to experiment with cameras. Many talented contemporary photographers have benefited from a reviving interest in the medium to reach new audiences. It is gradually becoming a part of the mainstream Indian art market. Some experts and gallery owners feel that the prevailing economic uncertainty might be a blessing in disguise for photography-collecting owing to its affordability.

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