Chennai Hosts Third Edition of Contemporary Now Art Festival

Chennai recently hosted the third edition of the “Contemporary Now” art festival, an event showcasing a diverse range of artworks across 10 venues in the city. The festival featured collaborations with galleries from Kolkata, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, and Mumbai.

Organized by festival directors Ashvin Rajagopalan and Priyanjoli Basu, the event brought together a wide array of artists, including Ashwini Bhat, Prajakta Potnis, Khageswar Rout, Amitesh Shrivastava, Sandeep Mukherjee, Saju Kunhan, Pratap Morey, and Benitha Perciyal. The festival aimed to connect local audiences with the broader national art scene through institutional partnerships.

The Evolving Landscape of Art

Mixed-media artist Benitha Perciyal noted the shifting dynamics of the art world, citing social media as a primary catalyst for increased connectivity between creators and audiences. Previously, access to art was limited to physical gallery visits and printed catalogues, which often required significant travel and expense.

Perciyal emphasized that while digital platforms provide immediate, global access to art, the sheer volume of online exposure can sometimes prove intimidating or confusing. Furthermore, she observed that while digital tools and artificial intelligence facilitate faster production, they may reduce the sense of accomplishment derived from labor-intensive creative processes.

Community Engagement and Future Outlook

The festival directors reported high levels of engagement from both seasoned collectors and new audiences, including students. According to Rajagopalan, the event successfully drew out collectors who typically do not participate in large-scale public exhibitions, while simultaneously offering students and art enthusiasts a view of artistic developments occurring across India.

Following the conclusion of the third edition, organizers have indicated plans to continue the festival in future years.