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

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

While these spaces were already following the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the pandemic, which has claimed three lives in India and infected 169 people, the increasing threat has compelled them to close down temporarily.

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

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

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

To keep the show going, they have made their current shows — "Biraaj Dodiya: Stone is a Forehead", and Prabhakar Pachpute: Beneath The Palpable" available online.

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

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

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

"While COVID-19 presents an enormous 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," the gallery said in a statement.

The DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery) too has closed down all its properties and exhibitions across India and in New York due to the "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 further notice.

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

To keep its staff and visitors "as safe as possible" in these "uncertain times", KNMA also announced the temporary closure of its museum spaces, both in Saket and Noida, until further notice.

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

Urging people to contain the spread of the virus as well as the panic that comes with it, Latitude 28 announced that their gallery will remain open by "appointment only".

"In effort to contain the spread 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 already taken proactive steps to face the challenge by carefully monitoring government advice.

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

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

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

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

"There is Frieze NY for us in early May. With travel restrictions from China and Asia, there seems to be an impending situation. Also, in June there is Art Basel, which is close to Northern Italy. The Swiss government has placed restrictions as of now on gatherings of more than 1,000 people in one space and if that continues to June, then it may lead to another cancellation as well," Priyanka Raja of Experimenter said.

Others like Shireen Gandhy, director at Mumbai's Chemould Prescott gallery, and Aprajita Jain of Delhi’s Nature Morte have decided to look at the brighter side of this break in the 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 the carbon footprint. Imagine for 2-3 days you are setting up an entire ecosystem for art. All that wrapping, thermocol, air conditioning, paint, walls everything… also, people flying in from everywhere. It's insane. Nobody calculates all that," Jain said. PTI TRS AAR