Beat the Mumbai heat with A+D’s ultimate art guide for June 2024

The mercury is rising, and so is the art fever. With temperatures shooting to an all-time high, there is little you can do to beat the scorching heat while having fun. But worry not, A+D has your back. Yes, grab your sunglasses and the breeziest fit from your closet; we are going art hopping (Reminder: Don’t forget your sunscreen). From a solo exhibition by Karan Khosla to Neha Choksi’s Porous Earth, here is an ultimate guide to the art scene of Mumbai.

Where India Dries Its Clothes by Karan Khosla at Method Bandra (until June 30)

Born from over a decade of observation during extensive travels across India, ‘Where India Dries Its Clothes’ initially sparked as a visually intriguing exercise. It has since blossomed into a unique reflection on the lives and landscapes that characterise this diverse nation. The series encapsulates the universal act of drying clothes, transcending geographical, social, and economic boundaries. From nomadic tribes in Gujarat to remote villages in North Sikkim, from bustling urban areas to secluded mountain communities, this collection mirrors the omnipresent nature of this everyday chore. It illuminates a shared experience amidst diverse circumstances, highlighting the common thread that binds us all.

Cracks and Folds’ by Abhijeet Karwa at 47A (until July 07)

The exhibition delves into the southernmost and tallest part of the ancient Aravalli mountain range, which emerged from tectonic activity when much of South Asia was underwater. This region is rich in natural wonders, history, and human interaction, evidenced by traces of mining dating back over 4000 years. Tribal communities and power struggles have long defined the area, as depicted in the coat of arms of the former princely state of Mewar. The exhibition explores practices responding to the ecological, cultural and industrial landscapes of Southern Rajasthan, examining both natural and human-influenced landforms. Through diverse artworks, it presents a nuanced portrayal of the region’s complexities and contradictions.

Parallel Cities II Showcase by Nature Morte at Dhanraj Mahal, Colaba (until July 06)

Inspired by the visionary narratives of Italo Calvino, this exhibit delves into the intersections of cosmopolitan living, personal tales, and collective experiences. Curated by Andrea Anastasio, the exhibition presents a vibrant exploration of the human condition. Featuring artists like Stefano Arienti, Mayank Austen Soofi, Alice Cattaneo, Elisabetta Di Maggio, Parul Gupta, Martand Khosla, Ayesha Singh, Dayanita Singh, Diwik Singh and Viswanadhan, it revolves around reimagining contemporary landscapes through poetic and emotive artworks that resonate with one another. By showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds, including refugees, diaspora members, and outsiders like queer and folk artists, the exhibition underscores the multifaceted tapestry of urban life. It addresses the various crises related to migration and existence across borders, reflecting on the challenges of language, translation and ethnicity.

Overlap at TARQ, Fort (June 13 to July 20)

On its tenth anniversary, TARQ presents a curated selection of works by artists that is rigorous, playful, experimental and educational, something that they stand by. This collection of prints, many of which result from collaborations between artists, revolves around themes of landscapes, urban concepts and elements of nature. Artists featured include Pratap Morey and Philippe Calia, Boshudhara Mukherjee and Ronny Sen, Garima Gupta and Nibha Sikander, Areez Katki and Rithika Merchant, Soghra Khurasani and Saju Kunhan, Sameer Kulavoor and Vishwa Shroff, and finally, Savia Mahajan and Parag Tandel. The overarching theme of storytelling and the contemplation of shared environments has led to an intimate and intriguing blend of ideas, styles and results. Printmaking, being a highly solitary practice due to its process and attention to detail, can often be isolating. However, with the assistance of Pritam Art, the gallery transformed its space into a print lab and communal area for artists to interact. This transformation resulted in ‘overlaps,’ the exhibition serving as the culmination of time spent exchanging and delving into ideas together.

Porous Earth by Neha Choksi at Project 88, Colaba (until June 15)

Blurring lines between engineering and geological phenomena, Neha Choksi’s ‘Porous Earth’ presents an ethereal exhibition that serves as a meditation on the continuous, porous exchange between humanity and the earth beneath our feet. Choksi assumes multiple roles within her work: she becomes a child digging, an excavator boring, and a horologist counting intervals. In doing so, she embodies the very elements and tools employed in her art – from an ancient sea forming the seabed to limestone, a core drill bit, a chisel, and even the dug hole itself. The materials she employs – stone, glass, and air – symbolise the dichotomy between nature and human intervention. Choksi’s creative process involves the transformation of stone into delicate sculptures, resulting in pieces that encapsulate both the fragility and resilience of the natural world. This exhibit highlights Choksi’s adeptness at merging poetic introspection with physical materials, providing viewers with a contemplative and immersive experience.

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