New Delhi: Space and scope have been created for the display of artefacts in the new Parliament House. The next two months, it’s learned.
About 70 per cent of the artwork that will adorn the walls of the new building has been commissioned, while the rest will be sourced over the next two months, the Indian Express has learned.
The new building will have six granite statues dedicated to personalities, four galleries each for the two Houses of Parliament, three ceremonial foyers, several galleries of India and a Constitution Gallery.
“Each wall [in the building] will have a theme that reflects a certain aspect,” said a source. “For example, one wall will be dedicated to the contribution of tribal leaders, while the other will display the contribution of women. It has a mix of portrait, illustrative art, installation, sculpture and decorative art – the storyline will be created through the display.
An official said that adequate attention has been paid to Indian knowledge tradition, Bhakti tradition, Indian scientific tradition and monuments.
The official said the artifacts reflect the Indian ethos and identity – civilizational as well as cultural.
However, this official said, it has been kept in mind that Parliament House is not a public gallery or museum, so there is no scope for immersive art or hi-tech, even though digital displays will be used in some places. It is learned that many big independent names and lesser-known artists have been roped in for the work, apart from institutions like MS University and IIT-Kharagur in Vadodara.
The Ministry of Culture has formed three panels to plan the interiors of the new building, with a possible deadline of September-October this year. The panel includes academicians, historians, artists, archaeologists and officials from the Ministry of Culture and Urban Development. They are responsible for sourcing, monitoring and installation of works.
The advisory committee is tasked with research and academic input. There are two other panels: the ‘Empowered Committee for Materials and Performance’ headed by Culture Secretary Govind Mohan and Sachchidananda Joshi, Member-Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Center to ‘execute the overall functions of the art installation’. Huh. According to the official order issued last month, of Art.
