Chennai has got a new community arts centre, located between printing, framing and canvas stores. Keeping access at the fore, this is one of the affordable galleries in India
Chennai has got a new community arts centre, located between printing, framing and canvas stores. Keeping access at the fore, this is one of the affordable galleries in India
Artists from Chennai – both professionals and students – have always been flocking to the poorly maintained IOA campus in Royapettah. Home to the renowned Hindustan Trading Company, widely regarded as the sanctum sanctorum of art supplies and materials, the complex also houses printing, framing and canvas stores. It is the ideal day-out spot for those who find themselves happily lounging amongst neat piles of stationery.
Now, a glowing white cube amidst all the noise fulfills the dream: Ashvita’s Community Arts Center (ACAC) thus strives to bring a calming energy in the form of a gallery-cum-community space in the dimest of spaces.
Although at this time, the IOA campus is characterized by construction debris, and loud thumping noises, its open atrium has recently given some artists the much-needed sunlight to develop their own cyanotype prints. As part of its inauguration in late September, ACAC hosted a cyanotype exhibition and workshop led by the Chennai Photo Biennale. The idea of starting a space for the art fraternity came from “self-reflection as gallery owners,” says Ashwin E Rajagopalan, founder of Ashwina Gallery, located in Radhakrishnan Salai.
Inside view. photo credit: Gauri So
“Creating curated programs to cater to the market is very important to us and in doing so, we have made our gallery unavailable to young artists.” Ashwin had to turn them away due to the requirements of curated programs. “So the Community Arts Center went towards providing support to any artist in the city who wants gallery space,” adds Ashwin. (As a brand of Ashvita this year completes 20 years in the market).
The accessibility of the center is not limited by the fact that it is located in a commercial complex. The availability of parking, accessibility by public transport and centrality of the location are key components. “It is already a hub. So, it caters to that ecosystem,” says Ashwin. Building a community – whether it is up-and-coming, student or established artists – that thrives on participation, aims at.
The bright white cube-approach will also compel people to address the aesthetics in the public-facing complex. Apart from the glass entrance door, which allows natural light in, the center is filled with central lighting inside. “You can walk past, and see artifacts. Nothing can stop you from seeing what’s inside.”
Polished concrete floors are an ode to the raw quality that a space champion has come to expect. A small storage space beyond is already home to framed artifacts yet to be unboxed. The plan is to have a digital-first approach. “We are exploring an app-based entry. We may not always manage the space.”
“We also want to bring an open library. The books are going to have RFID tags, which means it will be attached to your phone and tracked,” says Ashwin. The lending library will have books on art and culture.
Ashwin with Bose Krishnamachari in the centre. photo credit: special arrangement
At ₹3,000/day, the gallery is one of the cheapest in the country. Ashwin says that despite being more accessible to beginners, the space does not isolate itself from the art market and its processes. “It brings in the idea of running without an agenda, in a place where people don’t throw you out,” he laughs.
ACAC IOA Complex is located at Royapettah High Road.