- In association with KASHISH Mumbai International Film Festival 2015
MUMBAI: Gallery Beyond in association with KASHISH Mumbai International Film Festival 2015 will host a month-long art show – The 377191 Wall. 238 artists have come together to express their solidarity with the fundamental right of freedom to speech and expression & the freedom to choose whom to love. While Article 19 (1) (a) protects the freedom to speech and expression, section 377 of the IPC is a law that criminalises same sex relationships. The group show of 271 mixed media works reflect on both these issues and will run for a month between May 23 – June 27, 2015 at Gallery Beyond. It will coincide with the sixth edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival to be held between May 27-31, 2015.
"Why 377191? Because Freedom to choose opens up the mind to ways of growth in any field, more so in art and culture. We come from a lineage where arts and culture had no boundaries. We have enough tangible history to uphold it whether it is the sculpture at Khajuraho or our Mythologies,’’ said Vibhuraj Kapoor, owner of Gallery Beyond, who has also curated the show. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go as fundraising for KASHISH 2015.
The 271 mixed-media works, including those by prominent artists Lalitha Lajmi, Brinda C Miller, Baiju Parthan, Anju Dhodiya, Kahini Arte Merchant, Mehli Gobhai, Sharmishta Ray and Sudarshan Shetty. Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to free speech and expression. Over the years this freedom has faced the onslaught of diktats, the moral police and vigilantes.
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalises same sex relationships, taking away from a person their right to choose love. The law affects not just the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community but everyone who believes in personal choices of sexual and gender expression.
The artists have come together to express their solidarity with the fundamental right to express and the freedom to choose. At a time when art and culture is being stifled by censorship and diktats, artists and activists have united to voice their opinion on freedom, equality and dignity. The group show of 271 mixed media works are also a timely reminder that the Constitution protects the ``right to free speech and expression.