By IANS,
Kolkata : Art work worth Rs. 400 million or Rs. 40 crore is expected to be showcased in the second edition of the India Art Summit which will be held in the capital Aug 19-22.
“We are expecting to have a varied range of art works in the exhibition with a total value of at least Rs.40 crore. Last year this figure was Rs.20 crore and more than 50 percent of the total products were sold during the event,” Neha Kirpal, associate director of the art summit, said here Monday.
“This year we’re expecting the total price of all art works to be doubled considering the price increase of paintings and other works of art in the international markets,” she said.
Kirpal said last year the exhibition had received a huge response from different quarters and it attracted over 10,000 art enthusiasts during the four-day show.
“This year we’re expecting many more footfalls than what we had last time. We’ve also expanded the exhibition space by three folds, from 1,500 sq. m. to 4,500 sq. m. this time. Altogether 54 galleries, out of which 18 are international, are participating in the event,” she said.
The coming edition of India Art Summit, the largest showcase of contemporary Indian art, is supported by Sotheby’s. It aims to provide an open international platform for artists and also raise awareness about art in the country.
Kirpal said from the three international galleries in 2008 there are now 18 galleries from 11 different countries, including some of the most prominent international galleries from Europe, the US and Asia.
“Some of them are coming to the Indian Art Summit this year with a thought to set up galleries here. They are interested to explore India as an alternative art market,” she said.