The Archives and Collections of KNMA
The joy of beholding an artwork in person is very hard to replicate virtually
Vimala Soundarapandiyan
The pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. It has made our recreation loving species fear stepping out of our homes. It has forced us to stay confined to our homes and miss every part of being out —the joy of recreations, get-togethers, markets, and sheer travelling. The pandemic and lockdown have introduced us to many new ideas and perspectives. It has changed many aspects of our lives. The noisy and traffic flooded roads were hushed with new silence. State-sanctioned movements, social distancing, and double masking have become the new normal. The digital world truly proved to be a boon during this pandemic. It kept us connected with our loved ones and the world.
The art world too was not left to its mercy but the virtual world came as a saviour. The pandemic changed the role of curators and the digital space changed the connection between art and the viewers. Virtual tours and exhibitions became the new normal. It had its pros and cons. Digital space opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. It helped us connect to the art and art fraternity with a few clicks and slides. Digital experiences are instrumental in spreading awareness among the general public and build a community to appreciate art. Though virtual space is a great substitute for real-life exhibitions but is not a replacement.
Collection: KNMA
In such hard times fell the milestone event for Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Noida. KNMA is celebrating its 10 years of existence in the country’s art scenario. KNMA envisions to exemplify the dynamic relationship between art and culture through its exhibitions, publications and other public programmes. Over the decade, the institution has strived to bridge the gap between art and the public. It has also fostered a strong museum-going culture in the country. In its 10 years of journey, KNMA spotlighted a magnificent generation of 20th-century Indian painters from the post-independent decades and equally engages the different art practices of the younger contemporaries.
With such eminence and pluralistic vision, KNMA is exhibiting its archive and collections to the general public. The exhibition titled ‘Narrating from the Museum Archives and Collection: 10 years of KNMA’ is available both online and offline. This exhibition includes the work of renowned artists like J Sultan Ali, Ranbir Kaleka, VS Gaitonde, SH Raza, Ram Kumar, Akbar Padamsee, FN Souza, Tyeb Mehta, MF Husain, Krishen Khanna, Ida Kar, KP Krishnakumar, Surendran Nair, Jitish Kallat, Himmat Shah and many more. It is a snapshot of KNMA’s archive built over 10 years. This exhibition is a successful initiative by the founder and chairperson of KNMA, Kiran Nadar. Can art and philanthropy work in unison? Yes, KNMA is successfully demystifying art to the common man and fostering the museum as a place for visual and intellectual dialogue. The founder’s contribution to the art world has helped to realize her vision of providing a platform to recognise talented artists, allowing them to access larger audiences and build appreciation for their artworks within India and abroad.
As we are getting back to the new normal, KNMA has opened its doors to art lovers and enthusiasts to experience its journey of ten years. In keeping with health and safety requirements, there are strict Covid protocols in place to ensure the wellbeing of visitors at the Noida location. The Museum will be open from Tuesday to Friday, following the weekend lockdown as proposed by the state government. The exhibition is also available for viewing online across all KNMA digital platforms.
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