In an interview with ET Panache, Conor Macklin, co-founder of Art Mumbai, shared that the event is centered around showcasing exceptional Indian art in a vibrant city, with the added bonus of “good parties.” In the brief conversation, Macklin discussed what excites him most about this year's edition and revealed what his dream exhibit would look like.
What are you most excited about for this edition?
I am most excited to see what the young Indian and South Asian artists have prepared for this year.
If you could witness the creation of any artwork in history, which one would you want to watch being made?
It’s a tough choice between ‘The Spider and the Lamp’ by MF Husain and Leonardo da Vinci painting the ‘Salvator Mundi’, the most expensive painting in the world valued at $450 million. No one really knows how much of it da Vinci actually painted. At least this way I would find out.
If you could create a dream exhibition with no budget limitations, which artists (living or deceased) would you invite, and what would the show be called?
The show would be at the MOMA and would be the Progressives, so that the world would finally look at Indian Modern art and learn a little about their struggle for Independence.
What’s the most surprising piece of art you've encountered at Art Mumbai, in terms of concept or technique?
Last year I felt the Jeppe Hein Balloon at Nature Morte was pretty cool. This year, I cannot wait to see Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture against the Mumbai skyline.
With digital art and AI-generated pieces on the rise, what do you think is the future of art curation? Will traditional and digital art coexist, or will one dominate the other?
As an example, The British Museum only buys works which will last for 200 years. Therefore they largely buy works on paper and sculptures. They will not be buying AI because it won’t last. Traditional will outlive digital art.
What's the most unusual or unexpected conversation you've had sparked by a piece of art at Art Mumbai?
Dealers really dislike being asked ‘How’s the fair going?’
If someone were just starting out in collecting contemporary art, what’s one piece of advice you would give them?
Take the plunge! Buy what you like. What can you lose?
What are you most excited about for this edition?
I am most excited to see what the young Indian and South Asian artists have prepared for this year.
If you could witness the creation of any artwork in history, which one would you want to watch being made?
It’s a tough choice between ‘The Spider and the Lamp’ by MF Husain and Leonardo da Vinci painting the ‘Salvator Mundi’, the most expensive painting in the world valued at $450 million. No one really knows how much of it da Vinci actually painted. At least this way I would find out.
If you could create a dream exhibition with no budget limitations, which artists (living or deceased) would you invite, and what would the show be called?
The show would be at the MOMA and would be the Progressives, so that the world would finally look at Indian Modern art and learn a little about their struggle for Independence.
What’s the most surprising piece of art you've encountered at Art Mumbai, in terms of concept or technique?
Last year I felt the Jeppe Hein Balloon at Nature Morte was pretty cool. This year, I cannot wait to see Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture against the Mumbai skyline.
With digital art and AI-generated pieces on the rise, what do you think is the future of art curation? Will traditional and digital art coexist, or will one dominate the other?
As an example, The British Museum only buys works which will last for 200 years. Therefore they largely buy works on paper and sculptures. They will not be buying AI because it won’t last. Traditional will outlive digital art.
What's the most unusual or unexpected conversation you've had sparked by a piece of art at Art Mumbai?
Dealers really dislike being asked ‘How’s the fair going?’
If someone were just starting out in collecting contemporary art, what’s one piece of advice you would give them?
Take the plunge! Buy what you like. What can you lose?
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