Games People Play 02: An exhibition by Thukral and Tagra

Chennai-based Ashvita’s Gallery is set to present Games People Play 02, the latest exhibition by Delhi-based artist duo Thukral and Tagra, at Lalit Kala Akademi from October 7 to 16. The show marks two decades of the artists’ collaborative practice and explores play as both a psychological and social condition.

The ten-day exhibition unfolds as a “playtest in exhibition-making”, where each day brings a new emotional or conceptual state—ranging from vulnerability and hope to belief and resilience. Rather than treating artworks as static, the exhibition allows them to evolve daily, inviting visitors to engage with an ever-shifting field of emotions and ideas.

“To see play only as leisure is limiting. Through psychological, cultural, political, and environmental lenses, playing becomes a condition of life itself, revealing both our freedoms and our anxieties,” the artists said in a statement.

First presented in 2015 at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai, the Games People Play series draws inspiration from Eric Berne’s 1964 book of the same name, which analysed unconscious social behaviours. This new edition reimagines those ideas through interactive installations and participatory art.

Among the key works is Assets and Liabilities, where demonetised Indian currency becomes the surface of a table-tennis table—transforming a familiar game into a reflection on economic disruption. Another interactive piece turns ping pong into an act of care, replacing competition with empathy and reflection.

In this iteration, Thukral and Tagra continue their long-standing interest in audience participation, using play as a method to probe contemporary anxieties about belonging, displacement, and adaptability. “This autumn marks 20 years of Thukral and Tagra Studio. Our journey began with our first exhibition in 2005, and since then, we’ve continued to explore ways in which art can build bridges between communities, ideas, and lived experiences,” the duo added.

Ashvin E Rajagopalan, Chairman and Director of Ashvita’s, said the Delhi exhibition is a milestone for the gallery: “This marks our first major exhibition in the capital, affirming our commitment to engaging with audiences on a national platform.”

When: October 7 to 16

Where: Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi