| ashu |
Posted
on 28-Apr-04 08:37 AM
In Kathmandu, one may like Ashmina Ranjit's works of art; one may not like them.
But no one can ignore them.
Ashmina's work -- centering around the themes of feminism, sexuality, violence against women and political situations -- jolts people out of their comfort zones, forces them to look at supressed, even taboo subjects with startlingly fresh eyes, and gets intense, even passionate, conversations about 'art and society' going.
Ashmina, who will enter a top-tier art graduate school in the US this August on a Fulbright fellowship, is one of Nepal's most provocative, most politically sensitive,
most daring -- and shall I also add, most glamorous -- artists.
In recent times, through her work at Gallery Nine and Sutra, she has brought
visual artists, writers and musicians together to create various works of art.
And only and only Ashmina -- with her formidable power of persuasion -- can
convince ALL the FM radio stations in Kathmandu to HALT their regular programs for an hour to air hers.
All the best to Ashmina, and to other supporting artists.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
*********
A happening/installation: Nepal's present situation 2004
The present is filled with uncertainty. We have all fallen in the grips of violence. All sectors of our society have been touched by violence. The newspapers are filled with stories of murder. Every morning the radios and televisions relay the same story of blood and tears.
Yet we remain in a slumber. We have stopped feeling anything. Today one person dies, tomorrow another. Our time has become accustomed to such shocks.
I am addressing the present time through my happening/installation. This Saturday, May 1, at 5pm, the happening will begin at the Clock Tower, and end an hour later at Singha Durbar. The road in between, in Baghbazaar and Putali Sadak, will be the site of an installation on today's conflict. Many young artists will participate in this happening/installation.
When you pass by those streets at that time, you will experience something different. You will realize, once again, that you are still alive. And you will rise to action against the callousness of our society. This is what I hope.
During the period of the happening/installation, all the FM radios of Kathmandu and Annapurna FM of Pokhara will, in unison, broadcast the same sound, participating in the art event in this way. Kathmandu dwellers will express their solidarity for peace by blaring that sound out of their radios.
A similar installation took place some months ago at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. The overwhelming response and support that this work received has encouraged me to do the upcoming happening/installation. My hope is that you will experience something different through this work.
Please direct any inquiries on the happening/installation to:
Ashmina Ranjit
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