Indian Life and Landscape
by Western artists

A V&A-led touring exhibition to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai and the Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodphur

Partners

  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai (CSMVS)
  • Mehrangarh Fort Museum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Aims

  • To share skills between the V&A and CSMVS 
  • To work collaboratively to develop an exhibition

Project details

From research collaboration to an exhibition
Indian Life and Landscape by Western artists started as a research collaboration between curators at the V&A and CSMVS.

Both parties were keen for the project to have a public face and, when WCP funding was awarded, they were able to work collaboratively to develop an exhibition.

Mehrangarh Fort Museum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
The exhibition also travelled to the Mehrangarh Fort Museum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The Fort has a large collection and they are a major lender to the  Maharaja: the Splendour of India's Royal Courts exhibition at the V&A from October 2009. They have also lent to the Garden and Cosmos; The Royal Paintings at Jodhpur exhibition at the British Museum, 28 May – 11 October 2009.

Preparations for the exhibition
V&A staff were involved at both venues to help prepare the exhibition.

At CSMVS, talks and workshops were given on object framing, object handling, condition reporting and hanging and packing techniques.

At the Fort Museum, staff from the Fort and V&A staff created a space which met with UK loan requirements, as previously the museum did not have a temporary exhibition space. V&A staff were also present to help install the exhibition.

Developing a public programmme
Another significant part of the project was the development of a public programme at both Indian institutions.

At CSMVS, gallery talks and seminars were delivered by speakers from both CSMVS and the V&A. The Mumbai Symphony Orchestra held a concert to celebrate the partnership between the two organisations.

At the Fort, a wide public programme was developed with the British Council in Delhi. It included an artists’ residency, art workshops for local school groups and gallery guides in both English and Hindi.

Exhibition success
Indian Life and Landscape by Western artists was extremely successful and attracted over 100,000 visitors to the CSMVS. 

Future work
V&A staff are very keen to share their knowledge and experiences with other WCP partners so that UK museums can continue to work and develop relationships with both CSMVS and the Fort, so in turn they can continue to host loans and other touring exhibitions.

 
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