Coronavirus:Art world hit as galleries shut down, participation in international fairs uncertain

Indian art world has been hit by coronavirus outbreak as several gallery and museum s have "temporarily" shut down, and uncertainty looms over ir participation in upcoming international art fairs.

While se s were alrey following necessary precautions to prevent spre of pandemic, which has claimed three lives in India and infected 169 people, increasing threat has compelled m to close down temporarily.

Some of art s that have pulled shutter down for time being, include Kolkata-based Experimenter and Emami art galleries, Delhi-based DAG and Latitude 28 galleries, both s of Kiran Nar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Saket and ida, and Mumbai-based gallery Tarq.

Priyanka and Prateek Raja, owners of Experimenter gallery said it was right thing to do in order to maintain "a safe environment for all".

"In light of ongoing developments regarding COVID-19, keeping in mind health and safety of our visitors, artists and team members, we are temporarily closing both our s, Experimenter – Hindustan Ro and Experimenter – Ballygunge Place, Kolkata to public," said Rajas.

To keep show going, y have me ir current shows — "Biraaj Dodiya: Stone is a Forehe", and Prabhakar Pachpute: Beneath Palpable" available online.

"We will closely monitor situation and take necessary precautions under se extraordinary circumstances. We have followed all protocols recommended by medical experts and will continue to do so to maintain a safe environment for all," couple ded.

Emami Art Gallery said that COVID-19 presents an "ermous challenge" in functioning of , and refore in case someone wishes to visit gallery, y are expected to do so with a "prior appointment".

"On account of coronavirus and increasing threat and keeping in mind health and safety of our visitors, artists and employees, Emami art will be temporarily closing gallery of Kolkata Centre for Creativity 777 Anandapur, E M Bypass.

"While COVID-19 presents an ermous challenge, we would like to assure you that Emami Art will take every step to offer a full service to guide and assist all our visitors who will be taking prior appointment to come and visit us," gallery said in a statement.

DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery) too has closed down all its properties and exhibitions across India and in New York due to "ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19".

"Exercising abundant caution, DAG's galleries — in New Delhi, Mumbai and New York — and its museums and museum exhibitions — 'Drishyakala' at Red Fort, Delhi, 'Ghare Baire', Kolkata, and 'Eternal Banaras', Varanasi — will remain closed till furr tice.

"We look forward to staying in touch and will remain available through email and on phone," gallery said.

To keep its staff and visitors "as safe as possible" in se "uncertain times", KNMA also anunced temporary closure of its museum s, both in Saket and ida, until furr tice.

"As coronavirus continues to affect our community, and government imposes stricter controls in effort to contain it, we are taking steps to ensure that we keep everyone concerned as safe as possible," museum said.

Urging people to contain spre of virus as well as panic that comes with it, Latitude 28 anunced that ir gallery will remain open by "appointment only".

"In effort to contain spre of COVID 19, our gallery will be open by appointment only via email or phone call from Monday to Saturday 11 am to 7 pm. We have alrey taken proactive steps to face challenge by carefully monitoring government vice.

"Viruses are contagious. So is panic, fear, hysteria, grace, calm, empathy, love and kindness. Please choose wisely which one you will spre!" gallery said.

With restricted travel, pandemic has also disrupted global art calendar featuring international art fairs, which would see participation by several Indian galleries.

In last two months two major art fairs — Hong Kong Art Basel, and Art Dubai, were cancelled and postponed respectively.

" virus is affecting movement of people and refore most meetings can't take place, collectors and museum groups are hesitant to travel and refore global art world is definitely affected.

"re is Frieze NY for us in early May. With travel restrictions from China and Asia, re seems to be an impending situation. Also, in June re is Art Basel, which is close to rrn Italy. Swiss government has placed restrictions as of w on garings of more than 1,000 people in one and if that continues to June, n it may le to ar cancellation as well," Priyanka Raja of Experimenter said.

Ors like Shireen Gandhy, director at Mumbai's Chemould Prescott gallery, and Aprajita Jain of Delhi’s Nature Morte have decided to look at brighter side of this break in art calendar.

"I feel like it is an opportunity to sit back and take stock. It's nature's way of controlling our ridiculous carbon footprint," she said.

"Art fairs are crazy for carbon footprint. Imagine for 2-3 days you are setting up an entire ecosystem for art. All that wrapping, rmocol, air conditioning, paint, walls everything… also, people flying in from everywhere. It's insane. body calculates all that," Jain said. PTI TRS AAR