Artlink focuses on video artistes

Exhibition begins today:

Sachitra Mahendra and Ganga Pradeepa

Sri Lankan, British, French and German – the artistes gathered recently to share their ideas on video art with the press at the University of Moratuwa.

The function, held every year as ‘Artlink’, was organised by the British Council, Alliance Française, Goethe Institut, Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts, and the newcomer, University of Moratuwa.

The 18 artistes start exhibiting their experiments from March 14, today, to 17 at Goethe Institut. The exhibition is open from 9am to 6pm daily.

To sum it up, it’s all about video art. Alliance Française Director in Colombo Jean Philippe Roy explained the mission.

“Our main intention is to offer an opportunity to video artistes. There are painters who have become video artistes. All these artistes have lots of things to say. We want to hear and see them all.”

British Council’s country director Gill Westaway said that the exhibition is meant to let the artists all over the world exchange their ideas.

“We do not want to teach the European standards. Instead the artistes are here to exchange their thought worlds.” According to Goethe Institut chief Richard Lang video art is totally a new subject compared with the olden day classical painting.

“I think the traits of ancient painting are still remnant on video art. I am an avid student of Fine Arts, and quite willing to learn video arts.”

Lang played the journalist’s role by constantly questioning on video art from the artistes.

Anoma Rajakaruna, an experienced video artiste, this time is working with University of Moratuwa students.

“To me everything is art. Daily chores, all of them are art. Our group collects them on a single channel, and we get together to work out on a final installation.” Anoma said.

Kingsley Goonathilake, a lecturer from Vibhavi Academy of fine arts and Ishan Dayapala were engaged in creating the moving-vehicle-atmosphere. The car’s windshield was covered with coconut branches.

The projector inside showed how outer surrounding looks when a vehicle is moving. The engine was kept running to impart the real environment feeling. The two painters Lakruwani Wimalaratna and Bimali Mudunkotuwa have started their first mission with a video camera.

“This is our first expedition with the video camera. To us everything is not art. They should be moulded and formed into an artistic expression to be called as art.”

Florian Thalhofer shared his ideas on creating computer software to make video art more successful. His primary theme is nature, woven around frogs, grass etc. The still lifes have become the moving life on the software developed by Thalhofer.

Sri Lankan, British, French and German – the artistes have their climax at Goethe Institut. Keep a note on your diary; it’s from today to 17, from 9am to 6pm.

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