Art Fair: Now The Most Happening Mela In Town

Art fairs are socio-cultural phenomena. There was one in Mumbai last Nov and another will take place in Delhi next month. There may be several others in the offing. Does this only indicate business interest or has the art fair been able to create a curious, art-viewing, public? Certainly, a befuddling volume of people arrives to attend art fairs, where leading art galleries from the country and abroad showcase a selection of contemporary artists and past masters.
Artworks are on sale here, which is precisely the raison d’etre of an art fair. Its orientation is not the same as an exhibition or a biennale. Actually, the art fair feels sterile in comparison. But I also understand that the intention of the fair is quite distinct. A biennale, for instance, is more public-spirited, displays curatorial zest, and is not entirely guided by profit-making.