A group show, ‘The Generation in Transition’

‘The Generation in Transition’ exhibition presents some very important works of art by a young and emerging bunch of highly talented artists - of Indian origin, living and working in India, as well as residing in Europe and America. The works on view at Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warszawa also try to map the landscape of Polish-Indian cultural relations.

It’s probably the first extensive showcase of its kind encompassing contemporary art from this region being presented in Central Europe in the last several years. An accompanying note to the show mentions: “For about two decades now, India as a nation has been experiencing enormous economic as well as technological development that has had a marked impact on social structures. This dramatic change, with both its positive and negative aspects, is reflected in the works of most contemporary artists, especially the younger ones who have grown up in this interesting period of transition.

Providing a further backgrounder, the essay adds that the title of the show is drawn from that of a photographic series done by Anay Mann, known for portraits of his contemporaries, essentially an urban generation constantly seeking to define itself, trying to locate them and their place somewhere between local tradition and history, and the highly globalized and technicized reality they inhibit.

It explains: “Over the last ten years or so, contemporary art from India has become extremely popular. Big group exhibits have so far been conducted in Europe, the US and China. Private galleries – mostly from Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi– have built a local art marketplace and became important players on the global scale. Non-commercial organizations like the SARAI Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and KHOJ, as well as art-schools are opening up new spaces for independent ideas and art projects.

Following its presentation in Zachęta, the exhibition is to be shown in the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius. The curator of the show is Magda Kardasz who has conceptualized it in active cooperation from Anna Tomczak, Magdalena Komornicka and Sebastian Gawłowski. ‘The Generation in Transition’ continues until November 6, 2011.