Indian Museum @ 210: Past set to meet present to celebrate institute’s birthday
Times of India | 10 January 2025
Kolkata: The Indian Museum is set to mark its 210th anniversary with ‘Dialogues Across Time', an art exhibition, where the past will meet the present.
Union minister of culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will on Jan 11 inaugurate the exhibition that will feature works of 100 artists from across India and beyond, juxtaposing ancient artefacts with modern art to inspire and envision the artefacts of future.
"The Indian Museum is a repository of history, culture and heritage," said museum director Arijit Dutta Choudhury. "As we celebrate our 210th year, we embrace the evolving world of contemporary art, fostering a connection between our past and the future. This exhibition is a testament to the museum's ability to remain relevant in a changing world." It being the oldest museum in India, it has been the custodian of culture for over two centuries, housing treasures of ancient relics and fossils to textiles and dioramas. The exhibition invites students of art, sociology, psychiatry, anthropology and history to ideate and start conversations about the future of art and cultural preservation.
Curator Sayantan Maitra Boka has selected the artists, including Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta and Madhvi Parekh, whose works resonate with the exhibition's themes. Their pieces will be placed along with ancient relics, creating visual and conceptual dialogues, challenging conventional narratives. A contemporary installation may stand amid centuries-old statues, prompting viewers to reconsider the linear progress of art and culture. The event will present a mix of artists, from folk traditions to contemporary trailblazers, including Baua Devi, Jangarh Singh Shyam and Bose Krishnamachari.
Deputy director Sayan Bhattacharya underscored the exhibition's approach to look ahead. "This is not just a reflection of history and the present but also an exploration of what lies ahead. ‘Dialogues Across Time' re-imagines museums as dynamic spaces, where the past informs the future," he said.
Basu Foundation for the Arts, the exhibition's producer, views the initiative as transformative, positioning the museum as a living space. Visitors can also attend educational programmes, workshops and interactive sessions designed to engage diverse audiences and foster fresh perspectives.