About

Experimenter was co-founded by Prateek & Priyanka Raja in 2009 in Kolkata, India. With a multidisciplinary approach, the gallery is an incubator for an ambitious and challenging contemporary practice. The program represents some of the most critical contemporary artists worldwide. The program, rooted in dialogue and dissent, is considered to be a ‘pace-setter’ for its region, and extends from exhibition-making to knowledge creation, through regular talks, performances, workshops and through its much acclaimed, annual curatorial intensive – Experimenter Curators’ Hub. A second, more ambitious space was added in 2018, marking a deeper inquisition into the gallery’s realm of interest. Its third space Experimenter Colaba, established in 2022, marks the commitment of its discursive programming to Mumbai, a city that in turn represents the diverse pluralities of the region.

The gallery attempts to expand the scope of contemporary practice beyond the ambit of its expected role. In 2016, its artist-book publishing wing was launched followed by the Experimenter Learning Program in 2018 which enables learning in fields of contemporary and performing arts, curatorship, film, writing, language and social culture. In 2019, Experimenter Outpost, an iterative exhibitions program outside the physical gallery temporarily inhabiting disused, characterful spaces was formed. 2020 marked the beginning of Experimenter Labs, an inclusive, experimental and multi- dimensional online platform in addition to the onsite gallery programming.

  • Experimenter - Ballygunge Place

     

    Experimenter - Ballygunge Place

    Experimenter - Ballygunge Place, occupies two floors of a carefully restored 1930s building, typical of early 20th century architecture in Bengal. Redesigned by leading Indian architect Rajeev Agarwal, and lighting design team Lyle Lopez, Experimenter at Ballygunge Place will combine the existing architecture of the building - high ceilings and exquisite mosaic flooring - with a purpose-built structure, offering an interplay between natural and directional lighting systems and state of the art technology for showcasing ambitious contemporary art. The gallery will program both solo and group shows from internationally and locally based artists, working across performances, film, photography and music lectures, salon- style workshops and discussions. 

  • Experimenter - Hindustan Road

    Experimenter - Hindustan Road

    Experimenter - Hindustan Road is housed in a 1930’s old style building in Kolkata’s Gariahat area with ceiling heights of over 12 feet, the space in the center of the main gallery an 8 feet square by 2 feet deep recess (originally the courtyard of the old building) makes the space completely experimental in nature in line with the gallery philosophy. The depression, ideal for installations and performances, is flexible and can be made even with the floor if desired.

  • Experimenter Colaba

    Experimenter Colaba

    Experimenter Colaba, established in 2022, marks the commitment of its discursive programming to Mumbai, a city that in turn represents the diverse pluralities of the region. The new space at Colaba occupies one floor of a carefully restored 1890’s building in South Mumbai. Experimenter Colaba, Mumbai will program both solo and group shows from internationally and locally based artists.

  • Experimenter Outpost Experimenter Outpost

    Experimenter Outpost

    Experimenter Outpost is an iterative exhibitions program outside the physical gallery where an extension of the program temporarily inhabits disused, characterful spaces imagining a renewed life for them.