Every now and then a gallery comes across works of art which have considerable merit – created both by as-yet-unknown artists, and by known names who evolve or change midstream into new styles and new genres. As gallerists, when we see these works, we first try to respond to them with our sensibility which may give us a positive signal. But even as we try to look at them with a fresh eye, we are also aware that the world outside -- artists, promoters, collectors, connoisseurs -- has today become creatures of conditioning. They respond first to name, fame and cult status, and perhaps only then to the work itself.

 So what do galleries do? Respond to the work or to the market? Do they try to get the right people and the right hype for their event, or do they take a risk and present the work as an anonymous offering?

 As we address this issue, we would be honoured if you join the debate. We have before us the most interesting new photographic work from two artists / photographers. One, is a painter who is not yet known for this ‘objets trouves’ genre. The other is yet to be discovered. Now, had these been the works of Salvador Dali, or M. F. Husain, Vivan Sundaram or say Subodh Gupta, as opposed to Mr. X, would they have been received in the same manner? But what of these? What role does ‘pre-conditioning’ play as we appreciate art? And can we as gallerists and critics do anything about this?

 We invite you to join in co-curating this new show in a ‘Six Blind Men (Persons!) and the Elephant’ riddle/enigma/conundrum where we try to get a ‘virgin’ response to the work on display. We value greatly the expertise and gravitas that you bring to the world of Art. We believe that together we could once again place the intrinsic merit of fine art at the forefront of the debate, untrammeled by pre-conditioning. We approach this initiative in a spirit of experimentation, enquiry and good humour and would consciously like to avoid rancour or badbhavna which can be so debilitating.

 We look forward to having you with us in this new initiative in the art scene which we hope will be stimulating, and gainful, for us all as we move forward....