Immersive & experimental: Kolkata takes art out of the box

Kolkata has been witnessing a rise in new art spaces over the past few years — spaces that have broken the conventional mould of the “white cube” and embraced something far more immersive. Think walls that change colour with every exhibition, galleries housed in centuries-old mansions, and viewing experiences that are as much about the space as the art itself. In a city where history lingers on in every lane, art spaces are now doing more than just displaying works — they are morphing into living, breathing extensions of the stories they tell.
Home to art hub
In 2018, the iconic flatiron building on Hazra Road fell vacant, presenting siblings Varun and Natasha Thapar with the opportunity to repurpose their Ballygunge estate as an art space. In late 2019, 53/2/2 Hazra Road came to life, hosting an outpost exhibition for Experimenter’s 10th anniversary. That spark led to tri Art & Culture’s stature as a contemporary art hub. “A gallery must have a certain character and history for the artist to navigate time and space in a very different way compared to a standard, white cube space. That is our identity,” said Priyanka Raja, director, Experimenter.

Art Exposure’s new gallery on Raja Basanta Roy Road is an expansive, two-storey experience. In contrast to the philosophy of the Rajas, it was “meant to be a white cube space – but with an expanse that breaks the stereotype of the small spaces, small work concept,” said Somak Mitra, director, Art Exposure.
The Kolkata Centre for Creativity has been hosting some of the most cutting-edge exhibitions on the visual arts, the latest of these being its expansive textiles show.

Changing curatorial perspectives
At Experimenter, shows respond to the architecture – the “fundamental fulcrum”, said Priyanka. “Artists who are offered to show at our space also respond to the space – like Praneet Soi and Prabhavathi Meppayil, who created artwork inspired by motifs of the 100-year-old floor,” she added.
“The design of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity plays a crucial role in influencing curation; the adaptable layout ensures every exhibition aligns with the gallery’s aesthetic, while providing a unique experience,” said Richa Agarwal, chairperson, KCC.

“Our first exhibition was site-specific, created by Prabhakar Pachpute, who worked directly on all our walls. Our walls function as blank canvases, changing colour according to the exhibition designer’s vision,” explained Muskan Kaur Sukarchakia, assistant curator, tri.
Many curators are moving beyond paint. White may be default, but it rarely delivers the immersive experience contemporary exhibitions demand
– Reena Diwan, curator
The Ghare Baire show hosted at the Currency Building witnessed a level of engagement that was very high – events, guided walks, talks. All of these saw extensive participation, outside of a conventional gallery space
– Sujaan Mukherjee, curator
Immersive spaces can have a deep impact on both the artist and the viewer, enabling one to see the work in a more textured way
– Priyanka Raja, director,
Experimenter