[Posted in the Goa Speaks Facebook group.] Spoiler: A whole lot of nothin' (mostly).
I did not attend the musical performances at the Bandodkar Grounds or the performances hosted on Santa Monica by Shubha Mudgal and cannot remark on those. Shubha had invited me to those but I was unfortunately occupied in the evenings with other commitments elsewhere. I saw the exhibits at 4 of the main sites, viz., Old PWD, Old Ribandar Hospital, Old Secretariat (Adilshah Palace), Old GMC. My top 2 picks - really the only draw for me of the whole show - were the Panjim 175 project of Vivek Menezes at the Old OWD site and the Goan Musicians in Indian Classical Music exhibit put together by Aneesh Pradhan at the Old Ribandar Hospital location. Vivek's idea of the '"7 Sisters" exhibit anchored by the 'roin' was an inspired one and beautifully implemented by the Goan artists. I also enjoyed the kunbi clothing tableau put together by Pritha Keni (who I knew when she was a little girl). The lowest of the low of the Festival was at the Old GMC, an exhibit by the American 'artist' Paul McCarthy - a pile of vile, disgusting, retch-worthy product of his sphincter packaged as 'art.' Flush it down the toilet together with your head, McCarthy you bum. But for a couple of them, the photographs at the Old GMC were meh, with folks trying to be too clever by half with their captions. The Serendipity work at the Adilshah Palace was mostly ho-hum. Some of it was pretentious nonsense, lead by the poseur Hoskote who specializes in writing a whole of of stuff that doesn't mean much but impresses the easily impressed. Hoskote is to Indian Art what Neil deGrasse Tyson is to Science - guys trying hard to sound profound and making a lot of money in the process. That said, the coffee at the café in the Adilshah balcony was good. Those entering the Adilshah Palace could not have - and should not have - missed the absolutely spectacular holdings of the Goa State Museum. If you didn't see them, GO! I was especially pleased to see that the Kalbhairav from Netravali I had photographed in 2007 in its natural outdoors setting in the village is now in the possession of the State Museum. True, the charm of viewing a piece in its original setting is lost, but better the charm lost than the piece stolen in the quiet of night. Sidebar: every other Art guy you meet in India these days is "curating" stuff. I see that "curator" is also capable of being extended indefinitely. Example, we now have "Curatorial Co-Advisor," "Curatorial Assistant," and so on. Folks need to find another word. "Curator" has lost its sheen somewhat now that every second guy with a jhola and kurta is one. Finally, is the Serendipity management reimbursing the Goa govt for the extensive use of government (that is, the Goan people's) resources? Or is it an in-kind contribution by the Goa govt to the festival? Transparency in this matter would help. r
