Sunday, April 7, 2013

The beautiful Gallery of world The Gales Gallery of the Department of Visual Arts

 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery

 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery
 beautiful Gallery

On Delhi Art Gallery


Photos: Courtesy of Delhi Art Gallery 

Late this summer I was in New Delhi visiting a bit of its art world, and was struck by the work some of its elite modern and contemporary art galleries in the realm of documentation and research. I had gone to the Delhi Art Gallery to look at its collection of Indian mid-20th-century modernists, particularly Francis Newton Souza who my friend Ulli Beier once held as a model for young Nigerian artists. Of course I saw the art I was after, but it was the range of publications commissioned and produced by the DAG that I found astounding. For years this gallery and others like it, such as the Vadehra Art Gallery, have been at the forefront of producing scholarly publications on especially modern Indian artists. And they have, I think, helped in increasing international scholarly (and yes, commercial) attention these artists are attracting now. 


When I think of how these commercial art galleries participate in serious knowledge production only very few galleries, even blue chips of New York's Chelsea district, come to mind. Here you have substantial monographic studies of individual artists-- from Souza, and Raza to Sunil Das, Rabin Mondal, etc--and their wonderful survey volumes, Manifestations. I just involuntarily pined for the day galleries in Lagos would grow up to doing this kind of crucial groundwork. To really invest in artists whose work they claim to promote. So, there I was so thrilled at the work being done by commercial galleries in New Delhi; like a child confronted by a candy-bearer, I packed so much books published by just the DAG and Vadehra, that I had to pay excess luggage on my way back to base. Contrast this with my visit to the "high-end" Mydrim Gallery in Lagos earlier in the summer: I came out empty-handed. Oh, the wish, the wish.


We Gallery









Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Top 5 Tuesday | Independent Bookstores


(eljays books- flickr)

I know, I've been MIA.  I'm finally getting the hang of this new job, schedule, and lack of sleep (not to mention this crappy weather).  But, I haven't forgotten you Pittsburgh!  It's getting to that point where it's the end of Winter (or so it should be), everyone is getting antsy, and we all just want to shed our winter layers and get out and have fun!  But don't forget, what comes after the snow and below freezing temperatures?  RAIN! So what can we do to cure our cabin fever but keep warm and dry at the same time? Why not get lost in one of the city's eclectic little bookstores? Curl up on a bean bag chair, sip your latte and read something you haven't read in a while (today is National Children's Book Day), or perhaps something you've been wanting to read (I still haven't hopped on the "50 Shades Band Wagon").  Here are my top 5 favorite bookstores in the city!


Awesome Books

(popcitymedia)
With two "awesome" locations (Garfield and Downtown) carried a variety of authors, genres, and interests.  It's a great place to pick up a book on a topic you're interested in learning about.  Stop into one of their artsy spots and come out just a tad more awesome than you already are.  Click HERE for hours and details.

Eljay's Books


(eljaysbooks)

Once located in the Southside (now in Dormont), Eljay's books is known for carrying some pretty weird stuff! They hold an interesting collection of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and a variety of cookbooks.  Come feed your inner geek!  Hours and more HERE.

Caliban Book Shop


(artbusiness.com)
So much more than just a book shop, Caliban Book Shop in Oakland carries thousands of used and rare books, they buy, sell and appraise, and also carry things like autographs, photos, printed materials, and original art.  It's the quintessential college town book store!  Check out Caliban HERE!


The Big Idea Cooperative Bookstore & Cafe

(thebigideapgh)
Where bike punks and feminists unite! This is a bookstore that has something to say - The Big Idea strives to provide material that is socially-positive, humanitarian and promotes community (and they have great coffee).  Stop in for a yummy vegan wrap and read up on some of the most important issues in our society today!  You may leave feeling like you can change the world (and you can!).

Mystery Lovers Bookstore



For all you Sherlocks and Nancy Drews, there's a special place just for you in Oakmont: the Mystery Lover's Bookstore!!  They are one of the largest mystery book stores in the country and hold thousands of titles, authors and categories.  Get your looking glasses out and sneek into Mystery Lover's Bookstore! Click HERE for hours and details!

East End Book Exchange

(literarycitizenship)
As one of the city's newest bookstores, the East End Book Exchange is winning the hearts of Pittsburgh's book worms.  They carry everything from espionage to poetry and everything in between!  They want to be your friendly neighborhood bookstore, won't you be their neighbor?