POP: Fame, Love, and Power Unveiled in India’s Art Scene
Newzdaddy Business Updates
MUMBAI, November 18, 2023:
In a historic moment for India’s art landscape, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is set to host a groundbreaking exhibition, “POP: FAME, LOVE AND POWER,” curated by Lawrence Van Hagen. This landmark showcase, running from December 1, 2023, to February 11, 2024, marks the first-ever presentation of American Pop Art in an Indian museum.
The exhibition, housed at the Art House within the Cultural Centre, promises to take visitors on a vibrant journey through the golden years of the Pop Art movement, exploring themes of Fame, Love, and Power. The curated collection features major works by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Keith Haring, Ed Ruscha, and more.
“Isha Ambani expressed her excitement about the exhibit, highlighting its promise to bring the best of international art experiences to India. She noted the exhibition’s sense of fun, anticipating its resonance with younger audiences and its potential to foster a culture of creativity beyond time and space,” said the organizers.
Pop Art, flourishing in America during the late 1950s, responded to the rapid transformations in media, commercialism, and popular culture. The movement aimed to blur the boundaries between ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, with artists like Warhol and Lichtenstein transforming everyday objects into powerful artworks. Pop Art has since become one of the most recognizable and influential styles of modern art worldwide.
“POP: FAME, LOVE AND POWER” is a landmark exhibition for South Asia, featuring artworks from globally renowned artists. Many of these works have never been exhibited in India before, providing a unique opportunity for Indian audiences to engage intimately with the pioneers of the Pop Art movement.
Curator Lawrence Van Hagen remarked, “The Pop movement arose during a time of unprecedented change in America, and in many ways, India is undergoing a similar transformation into a global economic powerhouse. This exhibition aims to spark fascinating parallels between the ‘golden decades’ in the US and the current transformation in India.”
The exhibition is divided into three floors at the Art House, each dedicated to a theme: Fame, Love, and Power. The fourth floor features an immersive installation titled ‘Silver Clouds’ by Andy Warhol, offering visitors a unique interactive experience with floating metallic balloons.
The first floor, dedicated to Fame, showcases quintessential Pop movement pieces reflecting the rise of celebrity culture and the cult of television in 1960s and 1970s America. Notable works include ’45 Gold Marilyn’ and several pieces by Ed Ruscha inspired by Hollywood.
The second floor, focusing on Love, brings together pioneers of the Pop movement exploring themes of romance and passion. The room features iconic works by artists like Robert Indiana, Keith Haring, and Roy Lichtenstein, capturing love, unity, and human connection.
The third floor delves into the theme of Power, analyzing Pop art’s relationship with political, cultural, and commercial landscapes. Works by Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, and Robert Rauschenberg explore branding, advertising, and the changing media landscape of the mid-late 20th century.
The exhibition concludes on the fourth floor with an immersive experience titled ‘Silver Clouds’ by Andy Warhol, featuring floating metallic balloons in a room filled with creativity and wonder.
The list of artists presented is a who’s who of the Pop Art movement, including Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Coosje van Bruggen, Ed Ruscha, Elaine Sturtevant, James Rosenquist, Jim Dine, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Indiana, and Tom Wesselmann.
This exhibition follows previous momentous showcases at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, including Sangam/Confluence and RUN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN. As part of the Cultural Centre’s commitment to making art accessible, entry is free for students of fine arts, children below 7, and senior citizens.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Art House will offer interactive activities to inspire creativity and cultivate interest in the arts. Tickets for the exhibition start at INR 800 and can be booked on nmacc.com. India is poised to experience a fusion of American Pop Art’s vibrancy and India’s rich cultural tapestry, promising an unforgettable artistic journey for all who attend.
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