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"Life of Form in Indian Sculpture through Carmel Berkson's Eyes": A Photo-Exhibition

The Center for Art and Archaeology of the American Institute of Indian Studies in association with the American Center organized an exhibition of photographs shot by Carmel Berkson, an American Photographer, Artist and Scholar. The photographs were drawn from the "Carmel Berkson collection" of the AIIS's Photo-Archives. Carmel gifted her collection of 10000 negatives and photographs to the AIIS Photo-Archives for preservation and dissemination in 2009.

Carmel spent last 40 years of her life in India studying, documenting and interpreting the aesthetic nuances of Indian sculptures to be found on temple walls and cave temples, in museums, in private collections and indeed in all and sundry unexpected places. During her first visit to India in 1970 she made her first encounter with Indian sculptures that proved to be a transforming experience for this uninitiated American sculptor. The photo exhibition presented Carmel Berkson's views on creative processes of making ancient and medieval stone sculptures with the focus on interrelationships among artist, statue, temple and devotee.

The exhibition was formally opened for public on June 16, 2011 in the premises of the American Center, New Delhi through a lamp lighting ceremony. Besides Carmel Berkson the artist, Michael Pelletier, Counselor for Public Affairs, Elizabeth N. Fitzsimmons, Spokesperson and Ann Seshadri, Director, American Center participated in the lamp lighting ceremony on behalf of the U.S. Embassy. Prof. Ralph Nicholas, Board Chair, Dr. Pradeep Mehendiratta, Vice President and Mrs. Purnima Mehta, Director General represented the AIIS at the opening ceremony. In addition, several distinguished guests, students and other visitors viewed the show.