Confusion at India Art Fair closing

Confusion prevailed over the closing time with many visitors failing to recheck the schedule, that mentioned public hours between 11 am to 6 pm with last entry at 5 pm.

Many in the Sunday crowd, including visitors with IAF VIP cards, issued earlier in limited numbers, mediapersons accredited by organisers with special passes, invited artists from Karnataka Lait Kala Academy (carrying special passes), fair exhibitors, others were not permitted entry to the fair after 5 pm.

Irate visitors flashed their cards in the air but Fair security remained steadfast in denying them permission.

Visual artist Sudarshan who possesed a VIP pass and who said he had travelled from Konark to attend the festival this year was furious at the organisers and claimed this "exposed the hypocrisy of the festival organisers of promoting art".

"I travel to many art fairs and had attended the last IAF too but what they have done here has totally exposed as to their intentions about art and its patronage. They have got big sponsors now and all they care about now is money and those fancy cocktail parties. I am angry at these security guard but they are mere puppets in the hands of the organisers," said Sudarshan.

Even exhibitors, including those from outside the country, who had put up booths at venue were seen persuading the security personnel to allow passage. MORE