INDIA XIANZAI Contemporary Indian Art at MoCA Shanghai

INDIA XIANZAI

Contemporary Indian Art at MoCA Shanghai

Venue：Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai

Exhibition period：July 16, 2009 – August 31,2009

India Xianzai, a Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai exhibition, is a timely investigation of the growing presence of Indian contemporary art in Asia, and the encounter between what constitutes Indian-ness in the context of contemporary art and today’s ‘global’ community. India is undergoing a phenomenal transformation as the country develops and new cities escalate into modern metropolises. This rapid expansion however, has not hindered the impulse towards international standards, while fostering its own economic and social values.

Featuring a broad range of media from internationally recognized artists, India Xianzai is an examination of various processes, narrative structures and aesthetic strategies that focus on the question of culture as an agency in artistic expression. This exhibition will touch upon the topic of cultural assimilation that concerns not only India, but also many expanding Asian countries. As spectators we are encouraged to examine ‘art’ as feature or expression of ethnic identity within society, and likewise to question the notion of culture as an identifying force when viewing art.

India Xianzai follows on the premise that Indian culture and history has acted as inspiration for a diverse group of artists, not only within India but those residing abroad. This is the largest Indian contemporary art show in Shanghai and the first major museum show in China. Covering painting, photography, video and installation, Nearly 60 works from 21 artists will be included, several of which will be new works created specifically for Shanghai. The structure of the exhibition is based on a common thread throughout the works that demonstrate an active political and social engagement with one’s country and how each reacts to the Indian-ness that is being broadcast outside of the country.

The exhibition is a significant study of various styles and will feature a large body of new works from a range of mediums. The exhibition will likewise promote and encourage discussions through lectures, screenings, and musical performances held over the duration of the exhibition in the museum’s third floor Art Lab space.