LIVING THE i LIFE: ‘In pursuit of money-making, people forget quality of life'

Chennai

The art world right now is in slumber. But that has created a chain reaction where every art company and affiliated persons are on hyperdrive to make sure the industry floats through. Every art museum and gallery has shifted to online platforms. I’ve been working on odd projects. But they’ve been very far and few between. As an individual artist, if I do not make sure that I’m staying in tune with the online space, I will lose out personally and professionally.

 I won’t be able to keep up and understand what the current conversations are. For the last three years, I’ve been in art management. My art creation has taken a dip. But during the shutdown, I’ve started the process of creation and has helped my body of work. I’ve also been able to give more attention to my health, which was not where it was before the shutdown. For me to refine my art, it’s really important to take rest. The lockdown has shown everybody that. People are more productive because they can rest. In the pursuit of money-making, people forgot the quality of life and quality of work. I live with my family. I’ve been able to speak with my parents a lot more lately. On a regular, busy day, you want to say something and you say it quickly. You don’t have a healthy conversation about it. Now we have the time to have a proper conversation.

 We are also able to understand other’s boundaries. As a family, we think they can take it all. But I’ve learnt where to draw the line. My brother and I have gotten closer now. I’ve spent a lot of alone time. In the day of virtual connections, social distancing is not that difficult. I am visibly able to see the effects of the lockdown on the environment. As an asthmatic, I am so glad about the cleaner air. Chennai is a beautiful city and I hope people maintain it. I really like that about the shutdown. I’ve found a way to be calm.