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The Art Chat

Anyone who thought art was cool had another thought coming when internauts wrestled with Dyaneshwar Nadkarni on Thursday night.

He has just completed fifty years as an art critic and looks good enough (touch wood) for another fifty years at least.

Ette (Thu Jul 25 19:39:12 1996 IST):

When will this chat begin?

Hi Ette Jojo we are early by 15 mins so where are u from?

Hi Ette Jojo we are early by 15 mins so where are u from?

Hi Ette Jojo we are early by 15 mins so where are u from?

:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)

Les Demoiselles d' Avignon

Pablo, you should know that one

Hi eTTE

Arrangement in Grey and Black

Hang on...guys, we are still 15 mins. away from the start. Tell me, are you all art lovers? I'm here to learn something about art.

Whistler's Mother

WHat are you all talking about? Who's Whistler and what about his mother?:-(

Ette: It was my painting which started the cubism movement .have I passed the test?:-)

Ignormus That is an American Icon.

James Whistler!!Ette

Can we keep the conversation on an earthly plane? Right now, I'm lost:-( :-(

Yo Suppie atleast seve some Tea or Coffee when we are waiting.

Ignoramus sure is WALT WHITMAN okay with you?

*takinga tray filled with pastries and truffles and hot coffeee...what about some smokes they'll go with the atmosphere *Suppie's Double

HI Passerby

But instead of just shooting of names, let's talk about art and it's various forms and why one form is better than another.. Also, can someone educate me on the finer points of art appreciation? Of course, I'm sure our guest Mr. Nadkarni will oblige :-)

Hi there.. Just thougth I would check the guest chat out for a few secs..

Actually ignoramus I'm in the same boat as you ..meeting some one like Mr Nadkarni isan privilege.:-)

HI Anjum

:-) Namaste Nadkarniji! When did your involvement in art begin?

Mr Nadkarni: Could you tell me what are the most essential qualities that a critic must have and why?

Have you actually painted or sculpted anything yourself?

Good evening everybody! Mr Dnyaneshwar Nadkarni is here with us so you can start shooting your questions.

Mr Nadkarni: Could you tell me what are the most essential qualities a critic must possess and why?

Do you think Husain, like Picasso, is over-rated? Do you think he would have been what he is if it was not for the hype machine?

What is your defination of these terms: 1. Art; 2. Creativity; 3. Culture; 4.success?

Sorr, bad manners. Hi, Mr Nadkarni. One more question: How do you compare Indian art with art in the West?

Is true art a god-given gift or an acquired skill?

Ignoramus: I don't want to shoot names. We can talk of various forms of art, but that is not necessary to appreciate art. First of all. we should not be afraid of art. We should confront a painting in a very relaxed state of mind. I don't believe in two classes, those who understand art and those who don't. We are all capable of facing art, so don't make too much of this thing called appreciation.

Why is Indian art so difficult to understand? I have seen some Indian artists on my visits to India and the work is completely unintelligibe?

Anjum: Namaste to you! My involvement in art began when I was a small boy. I used to draw on a slate and I used to draw cinema advertisments. Then I would position the slate in such a way that my father, coming home from work, would see the slate, take the hint and take us to a film in a Victoria gharry.

Thank you nadkarniji,canyou now tell m

Who, in your opion, is the best painter in India today

Mr Nadkarni: Are you not answering my questions cause I did not say Namaste?:-) Hello sir, could you please tell me what are the essential qualities that make a good critic and why?

Sir, I am no expert on art but I love our culture and our heritage and appreciate Indian sculpures with the eye of an amateur. My question is.. Do you think Sculptures are a dying artform in India?

Picasso: that's a nice name you have! I have written a book on Picasso. Therefore, this name means a lot to me! What are the essential qualities that a critic must have? It's very simple. First of all, he must have humanity! He must not be sadistic and he must not be supercilious! He must not consider himself above the artist. Knowledge, sensitivity, skill of writing -- all these come afterwards.

I unfortunately fall in the category of those who don't understand art. How do I change that?

Mr Nadkarni: What role does the critic play in the society and what is his role today?

Is it true that you art critics give good reviews in exchange for booze?

Who is your closest friend among the painters community?

Hello Mr. Nadkarni, I have both your Indian artists works at home, Badri Narayan and Husain .... why is it that Badri,who lives to paint doesn't do as well financially as Husain? Is it because badri is self-effacing and Husain is pompous & self-centred?

Ette: That's an exaggeration! Art all over the world has its share of unintelligibility. In real life, we see objects which we understand and which we can identify. Therefore, we expect art to copy these objects. Then what is the difference between old fashioned photography and art! This does not mean that I myself understand all art and that I like all art which is not intelligible.

Can a good teacher be a good artist too

Why do Indian art critics write such unreadable stuff? Look at that character from the times of india. absolute poppycock. why can't you guys be like Robert Hughees in Time magazine? He brings art closer to the people.

The exhibition was by someone called parekh..manu, is that his name? Absolutely unintelligble stuff. he would not get a chance to show in a london gallery. I

mr nadkarni, are indian artists (with a few exceptions) too caught up with our own classical past to really allow a free flow of their brushes? after all, past tradition often shackles present creativity?

Cookie: That's an excellent question. Except that it is absolutely untrue that Badri Narayan is doing badly! His exhibitions are very popular and he earns steadily though not in the Husain bracket! As for Husain, it is true that a lot of hype is built about him and that it helps him to sell at very high prices! But that does not mean that Husain is not dynamic or that he is a painter only playing to the gallery! He has produced some very great works and Badri's scale cannot be compared with him.

Mr Nadkarni, Simba asked an interesting question. Please answer.

you have not answered Anjum's questions on definations

Is Husain past his prime? If he is, who should succeed him as emperor of Indian art?

Why are you chaps so scared of telling the emperor he has no clothes... Husain, I mean. It's time he retired and listened to songs from Hum aapke.

What is the role of a critic in today's society ?

Rishi: That's a very fine question. Of course, some Indian artists are rooted in tradition and produce decorative work! But there are a few artists who have even taken off from miniatures and evolved their own contemporary styles. The Indian art scene is extremely complex and it is very difficult to make statements generally affecting the artistic conditions today.

What is your opinion about computer generated art - I visited the exhibition by Ramesh Mulye and though the technological component is commendable (but the guys at Apple should get the credit for that) the creative aspect left much to be desired.

Who according to you ,is the latest art find in Indian Painting/Sculpture/music?

Alyn1: That's a very stimulating question. I have written a book on Husain which is available now in English. As one who has known him intimately for nearly 35 years, I tend to agree with you and disapprove of his infatuation for Madhuri Dixit! But after all this is 1/10th of his career and if you really study the whole of it, you will find that he has consistently achieved something very dramatic and authentic in his work.

By what yardstick does an artist price his work? Is it by square-inches? by materials used? or what?

Mr. Nadkarni: I posed thsi question befor and I do so again..Do you think Indian sculptures are a dying artform?

Skip the hypocrisy, Mr N. You called Husain all sorts of names at the ceremony to celebrate 50 years, How about that? Isn't Husain someone who ditches his pals often? He may be a good painter, but he seems a lousy human being.

What do you think about Hussain making a film along with Madhuri ....it seems teh script has be literally drawn by him.Is it just another of his eccentricities?

Why don't you answer Simba?

Is JAtin Das, another pompous guy, really worth the amounts he asks for? How do you rate him?

Hey, why are all questions revolving around Hussain? A couple of questions on each topic would keep this discussion well-rounded and interesting !

Cookie: Among painters, we have very dynamic young talents like Krishnamachari Bose. There are a few others in various regions but one waits for their growth. In sculpture also, we have very notable talesnts, in Varanasi, in Bhopal, in Bombay and in Madras. For example, there are a number of young marble carvers in Bhopal, Varanasi and in some other centres. Robin David, Anil Kumar, Ravinder Reddy -- these are some of our most dynamic sculptors! I don't write music criticism, but I appreciate classical music! The talents in this field include Shruti Sadolikar, Padma Talwalkar, Ulhas Kashalkar and dozens of others from all over the country. In fact, I consider that the musical scene today is richer than the art scene.

Are Indian artists worth the prices they get? or is it a craze started by the times of india in 1989 by their auction.

Mr Nadkarniji: What do you think about Hussain directing a film isn't he carrying his obsession too far?

Is it true art is a God-given gift or an acquired talent?

Alyn1: It is a lie that I called Husain names at the ceremony which we held to celebrate my 50 years as a critic. We have a tape of the whole ceremony as well as video and they will prove that your's are the type of lies and vicious gossip that is always spread in the art world. I've had differences with Husain and he has treated me with utmost generosity. So I did not mind the few times that he ditched me. I am not his pal. I am much junior to him. I don't bother what kind of a person he is. All I know is that he's the greatest Indian painter we have.

Sorry, I seem to have touched a raw nerve.:-):-):-):-):-)

Mr Nadkarni: Why is that the art forms prevalent today have totally alienated the commmon man in its search for a new artistic metaphor and ambiguities??

Mr Nadkarni: Why is that the art forms prevalent today have totally alienated the commmon man in its search for a new artistic metaphor and ambiguities??

Alyn1: as a critic, I'm not really supposed to know anything about prices. Like you, I also get astounded by the high prices that they fetch. But having studied the auctions held here as well as abroad, I can say that the artifically pumped up prices of works of art at these auctions do not help necessarily to suddenly raise their prices here.

What about Simba's questions?

Pritish Nandy says he has done more for Indian art than anybody else. He has ensured that artists get the best prices possible.

In your opinion,why do people BUY paintings? Is it only for "investment value"?

Mr Nadkarni: Simba asked you if sculptures are a dying form in India?

There are so many questions left to be answered....

Cookie: Again, I don't know the prices which Jatin Das asks for! He is a very old friend of mine dating from his Bombay days. All I know is that he is very insincere, phoney who has succeeded into intruding into high level group exhibitions and who's art is thoroughly rotten

Attaboy!Mr Nadkarni.

What about Gaitonde? He is a better artist than Husain. But who cares for him? You artists don't.

Sir, I am from the South and we take great pride in our cultural heritage . There are great monumnets to art such as Belur and Halebeedu anot to mention the teeming number of temples in South India.. These are all artforms that are not given the recognition they deserve. With preservation efforts at an ebb, do you think that this type of artform will die out sopon in Indi?

Who are the ten greatest painters in India today?

Do people still paint in the styles of Ara or Dhond or Palishikar,today? I know some guys who'd like to paint like them?

Ette: Gaitonde is one of our greatest artists. Just as I have written a book on Husain, I've also written a book on Gaitonde. That is the only book on Gaitonde that has been written. But why compare Husain with Gaitonde? why compare two artists at all like that? Husain is not the type of artist that Gaitonde is. Gaitonde is a very exclusive genius. Husain is a more popular type of painter and he has not lacked for towering achievements throughout his career.

Mr Nadkarni:Any artist you haven't written a book on and WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER SIMBA'S questions??

COOKIE : I dont know whether we should imitate Ara, Dhond or Palshikar. Of these, Ara and Palshikar are very much more difficult to imitate than Dhond. You can have a lot of seascapes like Dhond. You can probably copy Ara's vases and nudes, but Palshikar had such a wide range, starting from his award winning Sinner's Divine to his metaphysical works. He would be most difficult to borrow from. Anyway, why should we paint like other painters, whether they are from the past or are of our own times ?

I have heard you are a great gourmet. Which are your favorite dishes?

Mr Nadkarni: Why do nudes interest the painiters soooo much is it some kind of perversion, espescially Jatin Das

Pray, Mr Nadkarni, put your reputation on the line and tell us who the ten greatest painters we have in the country today?

hi

is anyone there????????????????????????????????

Pure Fire HI

hi picasso where are u from

Picasso: There are several artists about whom I have not written any book. You must understand that I'm not only an art critic. I have written award-winning short story collections, novels and books of criticism on the cinema and the theatre. I do not answer questions which I think are meaningless. I do not like questioners showing off or sneering at me behind convenient pseudonyms.

which painting and sculpture would you rate the best you have ever seen?

**The Fire Is On**

anybody from NY???????????????

Mr Nadkarni, there are a lot of nerds prancing around like picasso. I bet he doesn't know picasso's first name. Please answer my question and let me be on my way.

Yeah man, I am from Queens

Mr Nadkarni: MY HUMBLEST APOLOGIES I did not mean to offend you..could you tell me why do nudes interest painters soooo much ? is it some kind of perversion? especially Jatin Das

Cookie: I am not a great gourment, I don't have the money to go to five-star restaurants on my own and feature in colour photograph interviews with my friend Rashmi Uday Singh in the pages of Mid-day. One of my favourite dishes is fish curry and rice. I also like all kinds of meat. I dislike vegetables.

What about Ganesh Pyne? Do you think he is a better painter than Husain? and do ytou think he is abetter painter than Bikash Bhattacharjee who appears to have succumbed to lucre?

Could we stick to art man? Who cares about food? if we are here to talk about art, let's talk aboiut art and buzz.

Picasso: Actually, very very few painters are painting nudes these days. That is because first of all there is an overflow of abstract art and figurative art is on the way out. In the art colleges, models are paid very badly and they are all middle-aged women who can claim neither youth not beauty. Very, very few Indian artists today paint nudes. As for Jatin Das, I wouldn't like to say whether his obession for nudes is perverse. I owuld only say he lacks draughtsmanship and that the drawings are all bad.

It's nearly an hour. Can the man take ten questions? I am like in a hurry.

Mr. Nadkarni : Good evening. I am not a great follower of art. But it is not because of non interest but because art (especially paintings) today are so modern that it is unintelligble for the common man. Is it my ignorance or do you feel the same too???

hOW CAN TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THINGS BE COMPARED AND RANKED? tHERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BETTER PAINTER.

Michelangelo and the Dilwara Temples are of the same timewarp. which of these works are greater according to you?

Ette: Again, let us not indulge in comparisons! They are proverbially odious. Ganesh Pyne is a very fine painter who sells fabulously well but Husain is another type of painter. I agree with what you say about Bikash Bhattacharjee but that is a great pity. The one redeeming factor is that Bikash had a teacher called Arup Das who is totally neglected genius of Indian art. One can compare the imagery Pyne and Das but Bikash doesn't come anywhere near them.

Mr. Nadkarni I dont think models appearance is the issue it is the artists rendition that matters. The commercial artist Mulgaonkar painted 100 s of sweet looking things who cares, people who cared opted for Dalal did they not?

is any one here atall

Mr Nadkarni: Don't you think that MF HUSSAIN has given in to his own excesses and whims, is he still as great a figure he was or now is it just the myth that surrounds him?Commment pls

Suppie2: I thoroughly agree with you. And I am very happy that you have made this sensible contribution. When we compare two or three painters we look for some stylistic affinity or some analogy and that's how we construct various schools of art. For example, there is an affinity between Picasso and Braque. And thus we proceed to talk of cubism.

Picasso who is not eccentric in the world of arts? it is a fashion or trade mark of bein " artiste' "

Asking again....... Which one do you prefer--- Michelangelo's sculptures or the ones at Dilwara?

hello Mr. Nadkarni

Mr. Nadkarni given the meagre resources I try to collect copies of artwork, who do you recommend from the present new and upcoming artist a person like me should try to collect.

Are you satisfied with the way art schools in India are functioning? Any improvements that could be made?

Mr.Nadkarni : As I await your answer to my previous question I cant help but put down another thought. Why is it that paintings have become such a luxury. I mean that paintings are an exclusive only in the homes of the elite. And the more modern it is the more expensive. Why so ??

Cookie that is irrelevant each one has his/her own taste.

suppie: you can call Picasso an eccentric and you cn call Husain also an eccentric, but Picasso had immense integrity and he was a dynamo as far as work was concerned. He created not only paintings but also graphics, sculptures, and ceramics. Husain, in a minor way, has allowed his eccentricity to get away with his creativity. I must repeat that I don't think he will get anywhere with his current involvement with Madhuri Dixit, but he still had his great peaks. If he had the kind of consistency that Picasso displayed, he would have been a greater artist than he is now.

is this slow or what? may be my system is dead.

I want to know your preference to MIchelangelo/Dilwara

What according to you sir makes a good work of art?

You mean Husain has romantic/sexual designs on Madhuri Dixit? Oboy? The old geezer must be 80, now that's what a libido is

does anyone feel that with the improving Indian economy, art is going to flourish too!!

I am sorry Mr. Nardarni. What I meant all artists welknown and yet to be discovered have their own traits. If they do not follow the " accepted" norms of our society we brand them as eccentric or " chakram" that is not the point we should accept them as for what they do. The final results rather then how they do it.

Who are the finest painters In India today?

:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(asking again! By what yardstick does an artist price his work-- is it by Square inches, materials used, or what?

cookie: there are art schools and art schools, and some art schools are very bad. for example, the Sir J J School of Art, which is 140 years old, or any art school in Maharashtra, but art schools like the Baroda University's Faculty of Fine Arts or Shanti Niketan. In Baroda, there has been a close connection between staff and students, and also in Shanti Niketan. But otherwise, most art schools are bureaucratically administered, and there is no life in them.

I think this discussion has been daunted by Husain. But what the hell, he is the best! Just tell me this: is there any painter in the country who can aspire to his mantle?

in your art, do you see film set design? If YES, then what are the best sets you have seen till now?

Ali, what about Amrita Shergill??

Ali: It is very difficult to answer your question, but off hand the following names come to mind. Husain, Gaitonde, Krishan Khanna, Arpita Singh, Bhupen Khakhar, Ganesh Pyne, Arup Das, K M Adimoolam. There are some expatriates: Krishna Reddy is one of the world's greatest graphicists.

Nadkarniji: In ten years time which art form do you see surving in India? Why is there such a disparity between the works of art and the understanding of the commmon man?

Mr. Nadkarni do you think galleries like pundole, Jehangir art gallery etc do they promote art or just sell it to make a buck. I am kinda skeptic.

Mr.Nadkarni : Pardon me for repeating but, As I await your answer to my previous question I cant help but put down another thought. Why is it that paintings have become such a luxury. I mean that paintings are an exclusive only in the homes of the elite. And the more modern it is the more expensive. Why so ??

serdie: Yes, with the imrprovement of the Indian economy, art also has every chance of making big strides. But our problem today is to make a name in the world and to make a dent in the world market. All the auctions in New York and London have not helped to achieve this. It is said that a country which has political and economic power can easily push forward its art, in relation to the world, we have neither of this. So what do we do? But then, without this power, how do the films of Satyajit Ray win such acclaim in the West? We are up against a great dilemma, and a better economic situation is not going to solve it.

Howdy Mr N. I am from LA. And I dunno too much about the art scene back home, but when I was a kid there uised to be a chap calld Husain. Is he still around?

How true is the rumour that you are more influenced by liquor bottles and chicken dishes in front of you, than by the actual works of art? Does the value of the work go up with the number of drinks?

I am coming down to India next year. I may pick up some art for my condo. Are there any guys I should be looking at? I am be willing to download 6,000 greenbacks or so?

What is the going commission rates for art works these days?

Anyone out here who can tell me who the next guest on Chat is?

fergie, why don't you take a walk? I mean get into the Chat mode, man. Who wants to ask such boring crap?

raj: I can only talk to you about the present question. It is true that art is a luxury and it hangs in the houses of the wealthy -- also, in corporate offices. But this is the situation all over the world. But there are certain avenues open to average people. For example, there are prints, some of the Lalit Kala Akademi prints are quite low priced. You can frame them and without any inhibitions, hang them in your houses. As for modern art, it is true that it is a fashion. But I don't believe that our painters are so insincere to paint in a modern manner only to get higher prices. Whether they are good or bad, a majority of our artists paint what is deep in their hearts, including the theme and the manner.

Say it ludly, Sun. What do you got to be scared of? Your pa watching?

Mr. Nadkarni, I do not think that we have to create art for the sake of making a name in the world market - art is something that happens and to be an artist is hardship itself, so I think as the economy improves, the artist worries less about the daily neccesities of life and simply creates!!- we should not worry about the west too much - improving our economy will help a lot. History tells us that art seems to be realtive to the economy.

Vickeeeeeeebabaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Go bleat in your Mom's backyard, Don't butt in Kid.

Mr Nadkarni: What dso you see the future of art forms to be in India in ten years time? Will it survive the onslaught of commercialisation?

suppie2: Your letter is very touching and I commend thoroughly the venture you had organised on a foreign soil. I am very sorry that you were not well-endowed enough to pursue your cultural activities while in India. Necessarily there is a lot of sham in our cultural world. But that is an inevitable product of modern sophistication. I hope you will continue with your loyalty to Indian art and to Indian music.

Serdie how do you say that most of the current high priced artist died pennyless. Yes much of mideaval art was supported by kings and emporers but much was created for sake of artists own self satisfaction.

Hey you cow, yeah i am talking to you, fergie, why the hell can't you get your butt out of here

ONE LAST QUESTION

Good night.

answer my question please

Suppie2, one reason was that they were not good business men - they got taken by brokers and their like and the rest is history and economics.

Thank you Mr. Nadkarni

Serdie Business and Art does not mix.

Thank you Mr Nadkarni, for taking all these questions. Thank you for coming in folks. Our next Chat is on Monday. Saurav Ganguly, the cricket star, is the Guest, and play will begin at 2030 hours IST (1100 hours EST). God Bless and Good Night. But if you'd like to continue to gupshup, please come to the Small Smoke Filled Cafe.

See the kitsche produced by the so called sponsored commisioned artists. there is differnce between a commercial jingle and poetry.

Thanks for having invited us here.

Thanks for having invited us here.