Art Affordable Festival: One for the digital age

The 'Art Affordable Festival' is not your regular exhibition. It does not just want a few people to see incredible pieces of art in a gallery, but to make seeing art something that anyone can do from any place in the world. 

Hosted at Galleri Kaya in Uttara and running until 28 February, the exhibition brings together works by 79 artists, spanning a wide range of media including watercolour, woodcut and mixed media.

Unlike conventional shows, however, this exhibition is conceived chiefly as a digital experience. Goutam Chakraborty, founder and owner of Galleri Kaya, explained, "We planned this as an online platform so that the artworks can reach audiences both at home and abroad. The word 'affordable' in the title was chosen deliberately, to encourage seasoned collectors as well as first-time buyers to engage more deeply with art by making works available at reduced prices."

The online format also offers advantages that physical exhibitions typically cannot. While traditional galleries are often limited to displaying 40 to 60 pieces, a virtual exhibition faces no such restrictions. As a result, this showcase presents an impressive catalogue of 355 artworks.

There is also no actual theme or curation to the exhibition. The physical exhibition is open to the public, but viewers wishing to see a specific work must notify the gallery in advance, as only 30 to 35 pieces are on display at any given time.

"This is an excellent opportunity for people to enjoy a variety of styles in various media. Some people like abstract art, while some enjoy woodcut or oil paintings, so this exhibition provides an assortment of paintings of both popular and upcoming artists. So even if you are new to the hobby, you can explore and find something you love," added Goutam.

But a question arises: can an online exhibition match up to seeing art in a physical exhibition? When asked about it, he replied, "Ultimately, experiencing art will never be the same as just seeing art. For example, listening to music on your phone is not the same as listening to it live, because a digital emulation can never replicate the same magnificence and feel. Seeing art up front helps you feel the beauty of the art with all your senses."

At the same time, an online exhibition has the potential to reach audiences far beyond national boundaries. Goutam Chakraborty pointed out that viewers from places such as Hong Kong, Dubai or London can engage with Bangali art and "explore the beauty of Bangali art and learn about it, from how it varies from other places through its brushstrokes, colours, composition and the story it is trying to tell." He added that this wider reach allows the artworks to reveal "a side of Bangalis that people outside our country rarely have access to."

As technology and artificial intelligence continue to reshape ideas of what art is and how it is experienced, digital exhibitions create new pathways for Bangali art to be shared with both serious collectors and everyday viewers. 

Audiences have grown accustomed to consuming art through platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, yet only a small fraction of that content represents Bangali artists. An online catalogue makes it easier to share works and encourages discussion around favourite pieces.

With art appreciation becoming increasingly niche among general audiences, keeping art difficult to access risks weakening public enthusiasm for an essential cultural practice.