Outreach partner: Avid Learning
Alliance Française de Bombay, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, and Avid Learning, invites all art enthusiasts, history buffs, and numismatists in the city, to the opening of Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Design from Around the World – an exhibition curated by Ms. Rukmini Dahanukar, a renowned researcher and collector of banknotes. The exhibition will be inaugurated on Thursday, 3 April, at 6:00 PM at NGMA, Mumbai, and will be on display until 24 April 2025.
French banknotes from across the globe are more than just monetary instruments—they are artistic masterpieces imbued with history, culture, and symbolism. With their intricate designs, romanticism, and craftsmanship, these banknotes transcend their face value, offering a glimpse into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of cultural heritage.
Featuring large-size banknote replicas on canvas alongside real-size prints, the exhibition provides detailed insights into the artistic and symbolic elements that define these extraordinary pieces. While economic significance has always been the primary focus of currency, this exhibition seeks to highlight the lesser-known artistic and cultural narratives embedded within these banknotes.
“Having worked in the Reserve Bank of India; I deeply appreciate the role of currency notes in day-to-day public life. It is, therefore, a very happy collaboration with Alliance Française de Bombay in organising the exhibition on French Currency Notes. I am sure the viewers will see a beautiful amalgam of art and money on French Franc notes in this show” said Nidhi Choudhari, Director, NGMA Mumbai.
“I have been the director of various Alliance Françaises in different countries, and for me, banknotes are not just tools of commerce; they are reflections of the times, values, and artistic expressions of a nation. This exhibition is an opportunity for all history and art enthusiasts to explore a slice of Francophone culture and expression before the emergence of the Euros. As the Official French Language and Cultural Institution in Mumbai, we are delighted to partner with NGMA, Mumbai, to bring this unique collection to the public,” said Laurent Vergain, Director of Alliance Française de Bombay.
“A banknote is the most exchanged artwork in the world’ commented my professor when I shared my Master’s dissertation proposal. A manuscript that was to close out my degree program opened a whole new story that continues to date. While discovering the different themes and narratives on banknotes I was delighted to learn so much more about our world. Post the Euro, France no longer issues its own banknotes, making this exhibition an interesting assemblage whilst also showcasing French culture through its various currencies. I’m grateful to the Alliance Française de Bombay for recognising this endeavour. I would also like to thank NGMA, Mumbai for hosting this special exhibition. A coveted institution that encourages and promotes modern art. For the banknote to be acknowledged as a part of the modern art landscape is a fitting tribute to my work of the last two decades,” shares curator, Ms Rukmini Dahanukar, Founder of Money Talks.
Exhibition Details:
- Opening: Thursday, 3 April | 6:00 PM
- On Display: 4–24 April | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM | Gallery Closed on Public Holidays and Mondays
- Venue: National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai
About Alliance Francaise de Bombay (AF Bombay)
Founded in 1938, AF Bombay is the official French language and cultural centre in Mumbai. A non-profit organisation, AF Bombay works under a Board of Directors (presided over by Mr. Nadir Godrej), in close association with the French Embassy in India, and the network of Alliances Françaises in India, to promote Franco-Indian relations in the fields of education and culture in the city of Mumbai.
About National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai
NGMA is a cultural organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is home to an incredible collection of one thousand four hundred and fifty-six artworks including paintings, sculptures, graphics, and photographs. While the permanent collection includes both Indian and international artists, the special focus has been on the Bombay Progressive Artists which includes the artists S.H. Raza, V. S. Gaitonde, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, F. N. Souza, and more. However, true to its ethos as an institution that is resolutely focused on India’s contemporary art landscape, it also houses the works of artists like Nalini Malani, Anupam Sud, Vasudeo Kamath, Arpana Caur and sculptures by Himmat Shah, J.K. Chillar and Dilip Mishra. NGMA, Mumbai has a great tradition of hosting several spectacular exhibitions in the past, which continues till date. Some of the recent exhibitions include the highly successful – Bombay Art Society exhibition, which covered the landscape of the historic Bombay Art Society’s existence over 125 years.
About Rukmini Dahanukar
Ms Dahanukar is an independent researcher and founder partner at Nirmiti, a brand identity design company. Money Talks is her proprietary research and passion project that argues, “Money is not just a medium of exchange but also a medium of communication.” She has presented at various conferences worldwide over the past 20 years. She is currently authoring a book on the same subject. In June 2023 she curated the exhibition titled “Banking on World Heritage” featuring UNESCO sites on banknotes as part of India’s G20 presidency program at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. She is the curator of this exhibition, “Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Designs From Around the World” where she showcases the representation of the French Republic using its issued banknotes.
About Avid Learning
Avid Learning is Essar’s cultural philanthropy arm and India’s leading arts and cultural programming platform. Founded in 2009, under the esteemed leadership of Mrs. Madhu Ruia as Founder & Chairperson, Avid Learning has presented more than 1800 multiverse and hybrid programs, domestically and internationally. Together with its online platform – AVID Online launched in 2020 – Avid Learning has reached more than 2 million interested learners, globally.
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