A contemporary art exhibition comes to life in a 17th-century structure in Leh

How far will you travel to appreciate art? Turns out, aficionados from many parts of the world have turned their gaze to Ladakh, braving the altitude sickness. The recent sā Ladakh Biennale was proof enough that when it came to contemporary art, enthusiasts were up for traversing even remote locations all the way to Kargil. While this biennale displayed site-responsive works at different terrains, a unique exhibition also unfolded in Leh, set in a heritage structure just below the Leh Palace. As I hiked my way to find the venue, I passed through the old town bustling with markets selling Tibetan trinkets, local haunts wafting with the aroma of thukpa, and quiet alleyways lined with traditional mud homes and Buddhist prayer wheels. A few minutes later, a vernacular building with stone-lined boundary walls and a wooden gate came into view, and its signage confirmed that I had reached my destination. Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation or LAMO is a far cry from your typical white cube gallery, but has become a space where people can learn, create, and engage with the art and culture of the Himalayas and beyond. Until August 31 this year, it is home to a contemporary exhibition titled ‘The Time is Never Ripe’ that has been conceived and curated by Qamoos Bukhari, and is the first solo presentation by Delhi-based RAQS Media Collective, in the Indian Himalayas. With support from its lead institutional partner RMZ Foundation, the exhibition showcases nearly 25 bodies of work by Jeebesh Bagchi, Monica Narula, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta, spanning photography, sculpture, installation, painting, and film.