Mona Lisa does not smile anymore--A book on false European Renaissance and art of India

Mona Lisa does not smile anymore--A book on false European Renaissance and art of India

ABOUT Viktor Vijay Kumar

viktor vijay Kumar
Viktor Vijay Kumar
Painter fine arts, assemblage artist Director and Curator (India Asia) European Artists Association VelbertEssenGermanyWorked in ateliers with Late Prof. Klaus Neuper, Neurmberg; Leoben Austria and Wolfgang Brenner Westphalia Germany  120 solo/group exh More...

Description

The first part of the book traces the creative foundation of superlative art and Indian art is regarded high for its humanism. The contextual of war, violence and nationalism is raised in the quest for sterling art. The role of memory—voluntary and involuntary—is also investigated in artistic creation. The predominant focus is on the inner consciousness and the element of ‘chance’ as tools in creativity. The question of time and indeterminacy is also looked into vis-à-vis art.

 

The second part carries forward first part premises that an art without humanism can not be great. The book makes a case for the superiority of Indian art compared to Renaissance art. The Mona Lisa painting is a symbol of the so called Renaissance society. At the very time Vasco da Gama journeyed to India began the story of pain, sufferings and subjugation of Indians—the first experience of Colonialism. The rest of the world would suffer no less—slave trade, forced conversions, atrocities and Inquisition in the name of religion. It was a false Renaissance that caused untold suffering to people all over the world. Consequently the emblem of Mona Lisa and her smile was no reason for rejoicing by subjugated races. The great offshoots of Hinduism—Jainism and Buddhism are exceptional examples of the non violence, humanism and love which is faithfully reflected in the art and hence far more authentic.

The book thus makes a case for superiority of Indian art for it did not emerge from ruthless, totalitarian, colonizing ethos of West of the time