Debate

Art or Gimmick?

A full page provocative advertisement appeared in the national daily, Times of India on the 3rd and 18th July respectively. On 3rd July, the advertisement showed a pregnant Chintan Upadhyay and on 18th, it said ‘Chintan Upadhyay Delivers Today’.

It was an advertisement meant for promoting Chintan Upadhyay’s solo show titled ‘Pet Shop’ at the Ashish Balram Nagpal Gallery, Mumbai. Interestingly, the advertisement appeared while a discussion on male pregnancy was going on in all the media vis-à-vis the case of Thomas Beatie.

People in general and the art community in particular gave a mixed response to the advertisement. Some argued it was a form of art and some others said it was just a gimmick.

www.artconcerns.com opens a debate against the backdrop of this advertisement. How should we perceive such advertisements- as art or as gimmick? Are there any ethical issues involved in such ads? Is it a way to boost up the commodification of art?

We invite responses from the readers.

You may post your views at our discussion forum, send in your views to artconcerns@gmail.com or submit online .