'Art is the notion of making impossible things possible'

Conversation is civilised speech. It is more purposeful than chatter; more humane than gossip; more intimate than debate. And to initiate a series of conversations with eminent guests from the art scene each month, Gita Art Gallery which recently reopened as GAG Moderne in collaboration with Empowerment NGO organised the inaugural edition of 'Underground Talks', at GAG Moderne.

Manish Pushkale was in conversation with Ashok Vajpeyi a noted poet, essayist, literary-cultural critic, cultural and arts administrator, and a former civil servant. In a freewheeling chat, they talked on the "role of an artist in today's time".

'Underground Talks' are a series of conversations between artist Manish Pushkale and an eminent guest from the art scene each month. These talks will focus on subjects of burning interest to the public, giving the creative fringe of society an opportunity to articulate intelligent, opinion in the mainstream, to foster learning, inspiration and provoke conversations that matter.

Talking on the role of an artist in today's time Ashok Vajpeyi said, "There was a time when an artist would speak up especially for the nation, but now the artist community has gone numb. Nowadays artists are campaigning for the political parties so as to get a Padma award."

Vajpeyi believes that its important for an artist to create things, but you also to show some moral responsibilities towards the nation as well. "Art cannot leave the notion of making, basically art is the notion of making impossible things possible," he quipped.

Further talking on the subject of arts he expressed that art is a spiritual form of creativity, one should look and notice things around.

The gallery has also organised 'Paradox of Silence'– an exhibition curated by NeAnGo studio until April 20, 2019.

The show features work pieces of masters like Rameshwar Broota, Manish Pushkale, Manu Parekh, Mona Rai, to name a few.