Gurgaon: Two years after the Museo Camera opened with a collection of several of the most valuable lenses in the world, the museum looked at the challenging future.
Spread in 18,000 sqft, the gallery is said to be the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia.
It has nearly 3,000 vintage cameras and photographic equipment on display.
But with a short closing period since last year because of locking and increasing operational costs, running it is a climbing task.
“This is a challenge to maintain the facilities,” Aditya Arya said, director of the museum.
On World Photography Day, the Museo Camera held an interactive session with senior photographer Dinesh Khanna, T Narayan and Sundeep Bali in the Museum.
The coffee table book named “Last Avatar” with photos by safe Chotani and supporting text by Roohani Sawhney was also released to mark that day.
“Photography is one of the most important forms of art today and I feel very felt that celebrating August 19 because of the relevant and important world photography day.
It brings together everyone related to the art form,” said Arya.
The Museo Camera Center for photography art on DLF Phase 4 began in 2019 as a personal collection of old cameras by Arya.
Then, it was developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model between India Photo Archive Foundation and Corporation Municipal Gurgaon.
After locking was announced in March last year, the Museo Camera must be closed.
It was reopened in August 2020 only to close again in April this year when the second wave covid hit.
The museum reopened last month, but Arya was not sure about her future.
“Maintaining this size museum with a collection of nearly 3,000 antique cameras is expensive affairs.
Air conditioning must be maintained at any time to set moisture in the air, if not, the exhibition will be damaged.
Electricity bills experience lakh rupees every month.
Plus, we have other fees for Closed.
The government has provided financial assistance to many sectors since last year because of a pandemic.
I feel it will help people work with various art forms, “said Arya.
The gallery highlights the history of photography since 1827, along with several important landmarks.
The collection includes the world’s first camera model, spy cams, some of the earliest flash equipment, camera boxes, photographic films and several types of lenses.
Tickets to the museum are priced at Rs 200 and about 4% of the annual income produced towards the Civic body, which provides soil and infrastructure.
Maintenance costs are borne by Arya.
“I need at least Rs 15 Lakh per month to run facilities,” he said in 2019.