The best way to bridge the gap between the common man and art is to first make art available to them, says Sanjay Tulsyan, convenor, Art Chennai, 2012. And that exactly is what the city’s biggest art festival- that is in its second edition- is doing, he adds. “Unless there is ‘dialogue’ between the public and art, you can’t bridge the gap. I think this (Art Chennai) is the first breakthrough in that direction,” Sanjay explains. Once communication in visual and contemporary art begins, art will extend from being the “domain of a few hundred people to reach a larger audience,” he says. The power of art in the city has clearly increased, he reiterates, given the sponsorship and support the festival has received from the government and corporate houses. “The festival has grown by three times this year. In its first edition, Art Chennai remained within galleries and five-star hotels.” This year, the shows and other related activities have been extended to public places as well. “We have three major public projects in this edition, happening in the Marina Beach (from Wednesday), Thiruvanmiyur MRTS stations (ongoing photography project till March 18) and IT parks and malls.” But art being made available will not imply that people will immediately understand and appreciate it. “Artistes will be present at galleries to answer questions. Signages are going to be placed to assist visitors,” informs Sanjay, with obvious faith that making art more accessible will lead to a large-scale art movement. Sanjay also reveals that his team intentionally held back the major art fest openings to mid-week of the festival, instead of the beginning. “This is because I believe we have generated enough interest in the first few days,” he says.
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