“Separating Myth from Reality—The status of Woman” is the title of exhibition that I was looking forward for the long time. The exhibition that I had worked hard to put together. The exhibition which is metaphor for the world that still has traditional trajectories and prejudices that have bound women and restrict them from realizing their innate potential.
More than 94 artist and photographers had contributed in the show at 6 different venues in Kathmandu and Patan. It was very pleasant and proud to see the arts and artifacts done by emerging Nepali artist from Lalit Kala Campus and Kathmandu University. All the student participants were younger to me and gave me a serious complexity with their talent.
TLK had provided 10 photos for exhibition, from his book “Fallen Angels-The Sex Workers of South Asia”. Plus 18 copies of the same book. The book he is very proud of, that showcases the 10 years tenure of 10 Photographers along with 8 writers and over 20 stories of sex workers of South Asia.
Very much excited to be the part of the show. Had a very busy and exhausting morning as Sangeeta Thapa has summoned us to be at Art Council at 1 PM, even though the inauguration event was scheduled for 3, to help her putting up photos and captions.
Until 1:15 I was having upsetting chat conversation over googlemail.
Quarter past one. Driver was missing. He was off to airport to drop Mrs. VCD, and we were all late for the show. Quickly finished up my instant noodles and ran to taxi stand. Thank god! Taxi driver knew where the art council is, as I hardly remembered where the big building stood.
Here we are Mr. Nepal Art Council!!
Repeatedly asking, “Where is Mrs. Thapa”, at every storey of Nepal art council, till I reached atop. Where the venue was set for the opening of the show. Seeing me, arrived, she jumped towards me explaining why our captions were not set along side the photos yet. She quickly ran downstairs to know the whereabouts of the captions. All the photos were nicely put. Arranged the way we wanted. I quickly ran through all the main photographers of the show in the venue. And my eyes were caught by some of the fashion photography of Nepali Photographer Kashish Das Shrestha, based out of New York. Who I noticed later during the ceremony with his camera. A gentleman indeed!
His imagery were unique amidst over all mourning photos of women. For it showed more of a vamped women walking Fashion Ramp. One of his photos that I really liked was “sharply focused hands clapping at blurred models walking on the left.” I wish I had camera when I was there so that I could share it here.
There was nothing much to do to help at council. Everything was set fine. So, Priti and I decided to navigate through the photos and on-going preparation downstairs. The first thing anybody noticed was rice sprouting out of river sand (see the pic, cant define the structure hehe), making Wel-Come notation. Followed by Kishor Kayastha’s work. Pretty intrinsic and set up collage photos. His mud plastered model, portrayed women in various dispositions of life, and the black canvas frame just complimented the moods.
Modern arts by Indian and Pakistani artist ornate the first floor. They natured women’s vulnerability, gender discrimination, oppression, prejudice and also happiness for change in some. Theme of most of them just flew above my head and could barely figure out if they were hung alright or upside down.
Surfing through Nepali artist’ works, I thought of my BFA friend CMS. I wish he too had contributed his work here. I know one of his paintings on motherhood would just fit well in the flow of the show.
Ceramic artifacts by Netherlands artist broke the monotony of Photography and modern art. Pink phallus motifs, black bosom and colourful tiny sperms hung across wall were absolutely creative. Wondered, what was she thinking when she designed that? What could be the message behind them? Mystery!!
Mrs. Thapa was finally back, with tags for our imagery. They had no information about the photos except for the image ID. She apologized the print failure putting all the blame upon our file that didn’t open up on her computer. That was not done! She could have notified the accident prior to show. We could have sent her the other file or seek out alternative. I was pissed off at her NO-CARE attitude.
Finally the show started at quarter past three, upon arrival of Ex-PM Surya B. Thapa. All the dignitaries were respectively seated and all of them addressed the show as their turn came up. Followed, the song by a 20 year old Gandarva lady and Rashmila Shakya, the Ex-|Royal-Kumari (the living goddess of Nepal). She was divine at the tender age of 3 through 12th year, and now dumped into mortal world. She is an IT designer at one of the leading company in Nepal. She was pretty and her cheerful face glowed as she shared her memories of being Kumari. I liked her simple English in Newari tonality. Reminded me of a dear friend, CMS, who I had noticed speaking Japanese similarly over phone. This was the second time I missed CMS during the show. And somehow I had already managed, to making him feel sorry for missing this wonderful International SHOW over and over again.
This was the first ever international photography show happening in Nepal. To my disappointment, the show was slightly messy and lack of co-ordination was noticeable.
I have planned to visit all the six venues through 6th of November. With that also looking fwd for another grand show in 2011.
