IMPHAL, April 5: An exhibition of the installation art was opened today at the Sharma Arts & Crafts House at Khongman Zone 3E during which a work shed, a museum and a showroom were also inaugurated.
The exhibition showcasing several paintings-traditional and contemporary, laidhi- indigenous dolls, papier-mache relief, toys-terracotta, mache, bronze, rug, murals, sculptures, etc will be open to public from 2pm to 6pm from April 6 to 8.
During the opening day, one of a series of Maya- an experimental art form was also showcase.
This IFP reporter had a brief chat with Moushumi Kandali, art critic who attended the function as a guest of honour.
She stated that the installation art which is a very post-modern contemporary art form has been used in the exhibition.
She stated that this is the second such exhibition using the installation art in the region after the first one which was held in Shillong by the Lalit Kala Academy.
She added “There has been a lot of debate on whether installation art is an art or not but it is actually a very postmodern form of art and it has evolve through the last three four decades, it is related to public art, environmental art, it is going beyond the traditional conventional notion of art that it should be within the gallery, in the four wall, but it comes out, so it is a very positive step, actually it is a very postmodern phenomena”.
Speaking of the exhibition she added, “I think it is a very positive step that I have notice here. And I have seen seven works here, and I think they are the very representative work of a Manipuri artist, present art community and I could see political flexibility, where u know about Manipur’s situation and also like Banamalli Sharma’s Maya. This is very philosophical at one point and at another point it is political, so I think Manipur is really taking the right step in the right direction”.
Meanwhile, the inaugural function was attended by RK Nimai Singh, IAS, commissioner, Art & Culture, govt of Manipur as chief guest, Th. Tombi Singh, chairman, Arts Society, Manipur, B Jayantakumar Sharma, eminent lyricist and Moushumi Kandali, art critic as guest of honour and Dr K Sobita Devi, director, Art & Culture, govt. of Manipur as president.
B. Banamali Sharma the managing director of SACH addressing the keynote spoke of the history of the forty year old Art house and the struggle they face in reaching this far.
Spread over an area of 25,600 sq. ft. SACH came into being in 1972 under the care of the present Guru B. Amusana Sharma who established himself as well known traditional Sculptor & Painter of the state.
For a quite long time, SACH was like a small industrial unit producing mini-artworks for commercial purpose as registered body under S.S. unit of the Government of Manipur. Later in 2004, it became a registered Trust under the Indian Trust Act 1882 to take care of the art properties contributed by its founder B. Amusana Sharma. He transferred the entire set up in favor of SACH. This is the first organization that set up a foundry in the state to enhance the art of Sculpture in a better way. SACH is at present under the control of a Board of Trustees, comprising of six eminent artists and scholars.