For young artists, getting a toehold into a white-cube gallery is next to impossible. But spaces—from hotel lobbies to living rooms—are opening up in our flint-hearted hubs of commerce. A look at makeshift galleries that give art its breathing space.

POPCORN AND THE EASEL
The most unlikely place to bump into paintings, artifacts and handcrafts is when you are buying your popcorn. Inox multiplex at Nariman Point, Mumbai, has, however, taken the leap to fuse the popular arts, cinema, with the fine arts. Their two-month-old ‘gallery’ near the snack counter in the lobby hosts pretty paintings, small drawing room sculptures and mannequins clothed in handloom kurtas.
Anirudh Curpad, the floor manager in charge, says business has not been too brisk.  “I think it’s the unconventional location that makes folks hesitant. We did sell two paintings,” says Curpad. The works are priced quite moderately, from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,0000. “I feel upcoming artists don’t get gallery space that easily; big galleries want big artists. So I have engaged public spaces like theatres and hotels to promote younger talent,” says Meenu Dey of Three Blynd Mice, an art dealership. She has also tied up with PVR Juhu, The Taj President, Colaba and Shalimar Hotel Kemps corner. The spaces also make sure that the art works are changed every week and around 12 to 15 paintings are displayed at a time.
Entry: Free for all those who enter the mall
Display charges: None. If however the work of art gets sold, then the ‘gallery’ charges a small percent of the sales.

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