| An astounding 10,000 art enthusiasts walked in to | | | | commissions. Sculptures and installations sold almost |
| witness India’s First International Art Fair, India Art | | | | as well as paintings, signalling a new trend. |
| Summit™ 2008, firmly establishing it as a one stop | | | | The panel of speakers and choice of topics at the |
| destination for art in India. With an overwhelming mix of | | | | Art Forum also drew many accolades and was |
| art collectors, artists, critics, curators, students and art | | | | deemed as amongst one of the best such initiatives of |
| enthusiasts from across India and overseas, the | | | | its kind, internationally. Overall the discussions were |
| Summit achieved exactly what it set out to – | | | | adjudged to be frank, transparent and meaningful. All |
| making art, and the knowledge of art, accessible to a | | | | speakers and participants have evinced interest to |
| widespread audience. Commercially speaking, the fair | | | | come again next year and the Art Forum is slated to |
| clocked in a record sale of approximately 50%, with | | | | be much more inclusive from a global perspective in |
| the 34 participating galleries selling over 280 artworks | | | | 2009. |
| worth Rs.10 crores approximately. Given that the total | | | | Mr. Sunil Gautam, Managing Director, Hanmer MS&L |
| value of the 550 artworks on display was | | | | commenting on the fair said, “It is great to see that |
| approximately Rs. 20 crores, India Art Summit has | | | | India Art Summit has emerged as the most inclusive |
| emerged as one of the most successful first editions | | | | collaborative art platform in India in it’s very first |
| of any art fair across the world. | | | | year. We believe that this initiative is a step in the right |
| Contagious in it’s atmosphere, the enthusiasm of | | | | direction to put India on the global art fair circuit.” |
| visitors could be gauged by the number of hours they | | | | Mr. Philip Hoffman, Chief Executive, The Fine Art |
| spent at the fair, with some of them visiting it on all | | | | Fund said “The Indian market is very important in |
| three days. Heartfelt discussions on art ensued | | | | the global art scene and this fair is a major step. I can |
| between seasoned members of the art fraternity and | | | | imagine this to be major fair in Asia competing |
| fresh art enthusiasts, in all corners of the fair. Many | | | | alongside London, Miami and Basel in the next 5-10 |
| veterans from the art fraternity made an appearance | | | | years. The sales results of the fair seemed very |
| after a long time, to meet old acquaintances and | | | | impressive by comparison to other fairs in their first |
| friends and see the latest on offer. Works of | | | | year.” |
| upcoming artists were encouraged, appreciated and | | | | With all eyes now on India, event producers Hanmer |
| bought by many. | | | | MS&L, have announced plans to schedule India Art |
| A sense of camaraderie could be felt between all | | | | Summit 2009 between 19th – 22nd August’ |
| participating galleries as they visited each others stalls | | | | 2009 in New Delhi. Next year, the fair is proposed to |
| and discussed the art industry in general. Almost every | | | | be over three times bigger and applications are |
| gallery exceeded their expectations in terms of the | | | | already pouring in from across India and world. While in |
| exposure and networking opportunities they had with | | | | the first year, the focus was largely on Indian art and |
| seasoned collectors, first time buyers and art | | | | Indian galleries, the second year will see participation |
| enthusiasts from across the world. Most galleries sold | | | | from galleries across the world showcasing a sizeable |
| a sizeable portion of their displayed artworks and | | | | array of artworks from different parts of the world. |
| additionally received numerous bookings and | | | | |