Uptown Art Fair 2012

Sharing a few pictures from the uptown Art Fair this year and to summarize the trip I’d say, ‘I have seen it much better’. This particular art exhibition failed to inspire me for most part. I am growing tired of seeing digitally manipulated travel pictures and collage posters and repetitive jewelry designs and this is what a major portion of fair was and of course also the growing number of food stalls. I guess they have increased the number of food stalls to keep the escorts of art enthusiast at the fair interested.

At a particular section of the fair was so repetitive and uninspiring that I almost burst into tears, I guess I really have high expectations from this fair that I have been visiting regularly for more than a decade.

At the low point in fair we stopped at our trusted Northern Clay Center stall to play with some clay and somehow they didn’t seem as friendly as past years, not only they were missing a smile but at times they were out right rude. I hesitated before I started a project this year at their booth because of the attitude but at times you have to ignore others and not their bad mood influence your day/life.

After the NCC booth while kids negotiated treats for their understanding behavior on a hot and sunny afternoon I wandered off to an art stall with African Animals sketched on handmade paper. And this was the inspiring art stall that shifted the mood of my visit and tipped the scale to the other side. I was extremely impressed by some of the art pieces and if I had not blown my ‘fun savings’ on the recent trip to Paris and India, I’d have invested in this art. But it’s on my list now…

It captured my heart

I'd love to see this in my home

As I said the scale has tipped from ‘Blah’ to ‘inspiring’ and I encountered beautiful art work one after the other like I have been transported to the other side. The water colors, the jewelry pieces inspired by nature walks or laser cut steel with gems, all captured your heart.

Very realistic water color

Another favorite

Inspiration for my sun room/green house

leaves, acorns etc dipped in copper

All in all, a good art fair day in the end but next year I also plan to check out the sister fair of Powderhorn that I haven’t done so far...

Beyond Peacock and paisleys

The Goldstein Museum in St. Paul is hosting an exhibition of textiles from India and its neighboring countries, 'Beyond Peacocks and Paisleys'. If you are interested in textiles and design, this would prove to be worthwhile visit. 

Also if you like Indian culture and admire locally available Indian art you'd be surprised to see that what Target and other big box stores sell is not the real craft from India or should I say a very diluted version of the art that Indian Artisans are capable of offering. 

At the museum there is a handbook with detailed pictures and description of the art form/textile which is very informative. One of the curators of the exhibition is a textile artist and an online friend who I have yet to meet in person but think they did an awesome job of presenting the textile art. 

This particular piece is from my husband's city 'Lucknow' and is called Chikankari. I own a few saris and  other dresses with this work and are specially suited to hot summer months as the work is done on light weight fabric, cotton or otherwise and imparts an airy feel despite the heavy embroidery. 

This next piece is called bandhage and is a very refined version of what we popularly know as 'tie and dye'. This art technique is from western states of India, Rajasthan and Gujarat. I own a couple pieces of this fabric too and its an absolute joy to wear them when you know where and who produced the dress for you and that it was definitely not in a sweat shop.

I know a little bit about all the pieces that are pictured below but I'll refrain from explaining them because I am not a textile expert and all my knowledge comes from either owning the pieces or staying in the regions where this art was produced.

Enjoy the online version of my perspective of the exhibition and if you are local and are enticed enough to follow up, please go visit it, its on till the 25th September.

Since I have a track record of overbooking my schedules, I'll miss the talk but if you are interested in this topic, it is open to public.