Modernism to Crypto - Sneak Peak at our February 2025 Exhibition
This would be an important never-before-seen exhibition exploring six decades of Modernism in Indian art and avant-garde art on the blockchain.
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Prinseps
The 'SkyNet' moment
For those who may not remember, SkyNet was the name of the program in the movie Terminator. The virus that initiated the rise of the machines. I refer to this moment as the SkyNet moment in art. 'The Avatar Series' is a series of artwork, a profile picture project generated using an AI engine. GPT4o (the latest and greatest in AI) is NOT able to make out whether the art is made by a person or a computer, whether it is made as an oil on canvas or digitally.
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Numerically Ranking The Artworks
Generative NFTs have been ranked on the rarity of traits. The same is; however, not possible for the 'The First Avatars' as each artwork is unique coming from a neural net. It will be possible to do a classification analysis at some point in the future to analyze which traits best fit which image portrait, but that is not an easy classification task. We look at some of the numerical ratings schemes proposed by GPT4.0.
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Chatting with GPT4.0
In trying to ascertain the quality of the images produced, we decided to chat with GPT-4.0. Please note that the artworks (The First Avatars) were painstakingly created after training a StyleGan model with portraits and various augmentations.
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The Bhanu Athaiya Estate
India’s first Oscar winner, Bhanu Athaiya was born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in the year 1929. Bhanu came to Mumbai as a teenager to learn painting at the JJ School of Arts. She went on to become the only woman to be invited to and join the Progressive Artists’ Group and the first woman to win the prestigious Usha Deshmukh Gold Medal in 1951 for the artwork titled 'Lady In Repose'.
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Gobardhan Ash Retrospective: The Avant-Garde Wall of Artificial Intelligence
In the concluding week of the Gobardhan Ash Retrospective Exhibition, esteemed representatives from the Consulates of Italy, Russia, Germany, and the US honoured the event with their presence. Attention flocked towards the Revolutionary Wall of Artificial Intelligence which unveiled India's first serious modern art profile-picture project made using AI.
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Gobardhan Ash Retrospective Exhibition (1929 - 1969)
Prinseps presents the Gobardhan Ash Retrospective (1929 - 1969) at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity—a captivating journey into the profound artistic legacy of Gobardhan Ash, a luminary of Indian modern art. From March 29th to April 21st, visitors are invited to explore this exhibition, which offers a comprehensive examination of Ash's pioneering contributions to the artistic landscape. Spanning four decades, it provides a glimpse into the creative genius that defined his remarkable career. Click here for a virtual tour of the exhibition.
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"From Before There Was Fashion"
Bhanu's Stunning Designs For The First Calico Fashion Show Of 1958 Fashion is a vibrant and ever-evolving art form that reflects the spirit of an era. In the annals of Indian fashion history, one event stands out as a pivotal moment in time – the first Calico fashion show of 1958. In 1958, Bhanu Athaiya was invited by Ebrahim Alkazi to design the first traveling promotional fashion show in independent India for Calico Mills. This event took place at the "India '58" Trade Fair in New Delhi, making it a pivotal moment in Indian fashion history.
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Bhanu Athaiya: A synopsis
Bhanu Athaiya's life story is a testament to the power of talent, determination, and passion. Born in Kolhapur, India, in 1929, Bhanu's artistic journey was shaped by her father Annasaheb Rajopadhye, an amateur artist who introduced her to the world of art. Kolhapur, a significant artistic center in the early 20th century, was a hotbed of creativity and social upheaval, with the local king actively promoting artisans. This environment exposed Bhanu to the likes of Abalal Rahiman, Dhurandhar, and Baburao Painter, who were prominent figures in the artistic circle of Kolhapur. Of particular note, Baburao Painter was a multifaceted artist who made significant contributions to both painting and filmmaking in India.
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Atul Bose's Storied Legacy in India's Parliamentary and Museum Halls
This academic exploration serves as an archive, offering a testament to the sought-after portraiture skills artist Atul Bose. Through a collection of newspaper cuttings, we delve into the intersection of artistry and history, with each article representing a chapter in the narrative of this renowned portrait artist. These cuttings, meticulously preserved, provide valuable insights into the recognition and praise garnered by Atul Bose's creations over time, as they secured their esteemed place within museums and government institutes.
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The possible narrative behind the 1948 Avatars
What could possibly have been in the artist’s consciousness in 1948? Who are these characters? Read on to know more.
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Context and the Continuum
As we prepare for the exhibitions of Gobardhan Ash and Rathin Maitra, we have realised that the context and continuum of the modernist movement around the 1940s are somehow forgotten. We strive to bring them to light with the hope of more research and discussions. (Refer here) This write-up focuses on Calcutta and Bombay.
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Rathin Maitra: A Founder Modernist
Rathin Maitra and Subho Tagore established the Calcutta Group, along with other founder members, which gained widespread recognition in India for its influential contribution to modern Indian painting much before the Progressives.
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The Legacy of Bhanu Athaiya Exhibit 2023
Following the opening of The Legacy of Bhanu Athaiya exhibit was an insightful discussion between stalwarts Ritu Kumar (Textile Historian and Fashion Designer) and Kiran Nadar (Founder and Chairperson KNMA). H.H. MAHARANI Radhika Raje Gaekwad of Baroda inaugurated the event and fondly spoke of her learnings while documenting and intensively researching the legacy of India's most globally renowned costume designer Bhanu Rajopadhye Athaiya. Click here to watch the video.
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Bhanu Tai - Athaiya by Ashutosh Gowariker
The Hindi movies that I grew up watching in the ’70s, in theatres, and then in the ’50s and ’60s on Television, left lasting impressions. What attracted me most was the song & dance and the costumes worn by the stars. Many years later, I learned to my surprise that almost every look that was created for the actresses right from Waheeda ji, to Mumtaz ji to Zeenat ji – was by one person - Bhanu Athaiya!
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Rekha on Bhanu Athaiya
My first encounter with Bhanu Athaiya happened when I was working on my debut film, Sawan Bhadon, released in 1970. I was playing a village belle, and Bhanuji designed my costumes in the film. How can I put it – it was perhaps predestined, that God chose an exceptional artiste like her to come into my life at that point, in 1969, when I was a naïve teenager who knew practically nothing. Bhanuji became my teacher, mentor, creative guide, and friend all rolled into one.
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Yesteryear actor Tanuja on Bhanu Athaiya
Actor Tanuja narrates Bhanu Athaiya's transition from art to Indian cinema while carrying her love for art on her sleeve. Lovingly addressed by Bhanu as 'Tanu', the actor reminisces about Bhanu's eagerness to delve into the actor's role before designing her costumes.
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Bhanu Athaiya on her mother Shantabai
In these personal notes by Bhanu Athaiya, she fondly recalls her mother Shantabai with deep gratitude, love, and pride. She deems her mother the enabler of her success, dreams, and aspirations. Read on to know more.
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Bhanu Athaiya: Early days in Kolhapur
Bhanu Rajopadhye Athaiya (b. 1929) was born in her 300-year-old sprawling ancestral house in the heart of Kolhapur. Bhanu grew up surrounded by indigenous and western political, social and cultural influences. Her ability to translate all this information into the medium of cinema and art made her the first Indian ever to win an Oscar. Bhanu Athaiya is not only recognised as the revered doyenne of Indian costume designers; but also a remarkable modernist artist.
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A.A. Raiba: The insatiable artist
An unabating artist whose creative expression was unfazed by the trials and tribulations he faced, A.A. Raiba (b. 1922) was relentless; almost restless in his artistic pursuits till the very end saying, “Itni Umar Gayi, Kam khatam nahi Hua". [1] His visual narrative was derived from his love for Urdu poetry and Islamic Literature. Born in Mumbai, most of Raiba’s works exude nostalgia and are intimate observations of old Bombay and his travels all over the country. Raiba’s oeuvre is rooted in intensively researched history with influences from his lifelong practice in Calligraphy.
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