“Look at the depth of this piece. Also, the choice of colours,” says Aditya to his friend Manohar, as they enter a sophisticated gallery of modern art. “You're right. I would have bought it if it was on canvas,” Manohar responds, hiding his inability to make any sense of the random-looking brush strokes on the wall. Even as the two admired the artwork, the curator came up, saying, “I am so sorry, it seems some of our artists have splashed water colours on the wall while painting, and we are yet to clear the mess… Can I take you to the room where all the collections are?”
I am neither like Aditya, nor Manohar. But, even I haven't learned to appreciate the abstract from of art in spite of doing the rounds of various art galleries and seeing the work of numerous artists. At the most, I can understand and appreciate, to some extent, paintings that may not look realistic but are close enough that you can, at least, get some idea of what you are looking at. Shapes, colors, lines, and patterns are also understandable, as my sense of aesthetics helps me distinguish my likes from the dislikes. But anything that is more obtuse or wild mish-mash of colours only frustrates me.
I pulled out all the stops to become like the kurta and darhi walahs, who seemed competent enough to write lengthy theses on any abstract piece. But, subsequently, I willingly - and with a sigh of relief - gave up my quest after reading Khushwant Singh's column in a national daily last year. The acclaimed author - and an artist, given that writing is also an art - challenged his readers to give some objective principles to appreciate a pure abstract piece of art. Guess what? There were no letters to the editor offering any answers. At least I did not come across any.
Then, why is there such a hullabaloo about modern art? Newspapers every now and then announce that abstract paintings are being sold for millions in auctions in India and across the globe. In fact, art is being seen as a good investment option. Is there any difference between buying and selling of non-representational paintings and a stock exchange? The value of such art works, like the shares, depends merely on people's perception with no substance. Someone has rightly said, “A good art is in the wallet of the beholder.”
I am not suggesting that pure abstract artists are not talented, or they themselves do not know what they are producing. But, I do think that this style of art is meant only for self-appraisal - not for public display or exhibition. Or, possibly such art can be appreciated within the abstract artists' groups. Should lay people be tempted to be hypocrites?
The abstract artists say they paint to evoke “unconscious” feelings and emotions. What? Unconscious? If I can't be conscious of the emotional changes that are supposed to happen inside me when I look at a work of art, how can I appreciate it? Should I behold it and go back home knowing, by faith, that I am a new person now?
I completely understand that there is a need for creativity and introducing subtleties in the arts, which otherwise may become simplistic and boring. But, there has to be a line, some limit. I think the experimentalists in the past went a bit too far, trying to move away from the boredom of their respective schools of art.
The process of change began close to the end of the 19th century, until when most paintings were representational. In the 1870s came a movement known as impressionism, initiated by the likes of French painter Monet. In this genre of art, artists' work did not consist wholly of realistic images. Then came the movement of neo-impressionism, followed by post-impressionism in the 1890s (Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh belonged to this school of art). The line had not been crossed yet. However, in the 20th century, the art took a completely different turn. It became more and more abstract - to the extent that it went beyond recognisable shapes or images. It became highly subjective and vague.
But, let me warn you, this is just the beginning, at least in India. This genre is still evolving, and there is much more to endure. The sooner you choose to agree and accept that anything, however incomprehensible, is art if a reputed artist or expert says it is, the better it will be for your peace
