CULTURE

ARTSCAPE
Drawing a distinction between the naked and the nude
Ravi Bhatia

An exhibition of paintings by eminent artist Rajiv Puri, ‘Unveiled’, curated by Dr Alka Pande Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, is on till January 14.Rajiv Puri explores the body and texture through the feminine form. The virtuosity of his palette knife strokes translates into vibrant canvases. Puri’s paintings reveal his obsession and absorption with the human figure.

Envy - An artwork of Rajiv Puri

However, he does not look at the same from the point of view of providing pleasure, but as a cultural signifier. His nudes transcend the common conviction of the nude form as pornography.

‘Unveiled’ becomes an opportunity for us to reflect on the ever so subtle difference between the naked and the nude, the attendant gender politics of seeing, representation and the ‘gaze’. It also draws the spectator’s attention to changing representations of nudes across the years, across different cultures; and deals with the complexities of what is sensual, what is erotic, and what is pornography.

The question of how to represent the human figure has preoccupied artists since the earliest times. We find nude representations of men as well as women, right from the art of ancient cultures to the present day.

Conversations - The workmanship of Rajiv Puri.

Whether it be the mother goddess, or the woman as seductress; there is in these nude representation of the fairer sex an unabashed celebration of womanhood, sensuality and sexuality, and above all – a celebration of being. Thus, Rajiv Puri’s obsession with the female form is not new, but it is nevertheless fresh in its treatment.

Born in 1954, Puri graduated from St Stephen’s College, a chartered account and a law graduate. He lives and works in Nigeria. He is a self-trained painter and has pursued painting with undying passion for over 50 years. ‘Unveiled’ is his third solo show.

Collective intent

The Gallerie Alternatives at the DLF, Gurgaon, is showcasing the work of more than 15 noted artists including that of well-known artist A Ramachandran. The exhibition will continue till January 17. Ramachandran has meaningfully given a new dimension to his art by fusing the aesthetic with the technical. As a result, the landscape in his paintings has become a part of the human form wrapped up in the flora and fauna.

Myths and Fact

A unique exhibition of paintings by children in collaboration with the Schizophrenia Support Group, India is on at the Habitat World here. The exhibition will remain open for the public till January 15.

The paintings clearly reflected the fears and phobias of the children who are trying to come to grips with the real world. The paintings will definitely help the parents and others to understand the mental make up of the children thus help in dealing with the fears more effectively.

Arms and Armour

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Jagmohan at the new gallery of Arms and Armour at the National Museum in the Capital on Thursday. — Photo by Kamal Singh

The National Museum on Janpath has now a new gallery of Arms and Armour, which will have on display specimen from various eras for the benefit of the viewers.

The new gallery, which is equipped with the state of art security to prevent thefts like the one last year of the historic pistol, was inaugurated by the Mr Jagmohan, Minister for Tourism and Culture.

At the same time, the National Museum is showcasing an exhibition of photographs of Indian heritage to coincide with the Parvashi Bharaitiya Divas. The photographs by some of the better known names in photography depict the rich heritage in both black and white and colour.

Calcutta trio

Calcutta Trio (not Kolkata), a Hungarian Group of eminent musicians, socialising in playing Indian Classical music are all set to perform at the Hungarian Cultural Centre here on Friday.

This Hungarian group has been playing pure Hindustani music for the last few decades and is led by Andras Kozma, a disciple of the sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. The group is on a concert tour with performances at Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar at the invitation of the Indian Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries.

While the leader, Kozma plays the Sitar, Peter Szalay accompanies him on the tabla and Andras Molnar on the Tanpura.