Japanese artistic flair on view
Amalshan GUNERATHNE
 |
|
A visitor
dressed in a kimono |
The intricacies of high-tech machinery or delicacies of art and
sculpture, may it be - the nimble hands of Japanese are experts at
everything, they say. ‘The Japanese Cultural Exhibition 2011’ which
initiated in grand fashion at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery last weekend
showcased a glimpse of rich artistic flamboyance that you associate with
Japanese culture.
The delicately folded Japanese origami arts, bonsai plantings and
creative Ikebana Floral arrangements which were put on the display
during the exhibition spoke a lot about their creative expertise. The
exhibition was a colourful one with ladies who attended the event being
given an exclusive opportunity to even try out Japanese Kimonos.
The cultural exchange beyond boundaries is essential to harness
understanding and respect among different communities. The event aimed
at promoting richness of Japanese culture while sharing their creative
flair with locals. Sharing his thoughts at the event, Patrick Fernando,
a professor of Japanese language at the University of Kelaniya
expressed:
“Not only is that they are technologically advanced as a nation, but
they are also very rich when it comes to their aesthetic capabilities.
Spiritual wise, they are very advanced.” He further added, “Both
Japan and Sri Lanka do have a close relationship. Our ways of lives are
bit similar, when it comes to religion and agriculture. But we can no
longer boast of the same rich culture and tradition that we once had. We
have become spiritually impotent as a nation.
 Our aesthetic senses have grown numb. Therefore, there is lot that we
can learn from Japanese.”
The event is organised by the Japanese Language Teachers Association
in par with the Japanese Embassy of Sri Lanka. The Bonsai Club of Sri
Lanka, SHI-EN Ikebana and Floral art society Sri Lanka, Origamai Folders
Association of Sri Lanka and Ikebana international Sri Lankan chapter
all contributed to make the exhibition a success. The exhibitors who
sent creative items for the exhibitions were all given certificates to
recognise their talents.
Pictures by Ranjith Asanka
|
