‘21st century India & the process of transformation’ was the title and the theme of an informative seminar hosted at Mori Museum in Japan.  

The seminar was part of the ‘Chalo India’ show. The panelists included art historian-critic Deepak Ananth, Raqs Media Collective, Professor Ushiroshoji Masahiro, Kyushu University, Faculty of Humanities, Mori Art Museum director Nanjo Fumio and curator of ‘Chalo! India’ show Miki Akiko.

The session opened with a Raqs Media Collective’s lecture and performance. They introduced their and other artists’ video work, and talked about the various methods of reading, listening and “narrating, along with interpretation, and the misunderstandings which can arise within these processes. They explained that The Euphoria Machine – Preliminary Reverse Engineering Field Laboratory, exhibited at ‘Chalo! India’, and ‘Dear India’, their collaboration with Mori Art, are projects which make comprehension possible.

Nanjo Fumio presented a selection of photos snapped during his trip to various states of India along with Miki Akiko. Nanjo showed how much the country has changed since he first backpacked around it in the early 1970s. Curatror Miki Akiko of Chalo India show in Tokyo also made some interesting observations.

Deepak Ananth explained the way he introduced Indian art in France with his ‘Indian Summer’ show in 2005. Describing how exhibits themed around a single country can play a role, he also stated some people still view them as problematic since they tend to veer towards nationalism.