'Blades of Grass': memories embedded in art

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

ART: Once in a while one is lucky enough to have the opportunity to see the exquisite work of an undiscovered artist. There is appreciation for world culture embedded in artistic pieces of work and the sure touch of a true craftsman.

"Blades of grass" is the solo exhibition of paintings, sculptures, petrified portraits and bottled vacations by Cora de Lang, which is presented at Barefoot Gallery, Colombo. The exhibition will be run till October 15.

The artist was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and had completed her studies at the Escuela National de Bellas Artes Manuel Belgrano. She had been working in Sri Lanka since 2005.

Cora had visited many countries which include: Germany, India, Nigeria, and Austria. Naturally, most of her works of art have been inspired by what she encountered in these exotic places.

"I have developed a strange habit of collecting all kinds of small items. It was almost as if I could hang on to the places I have visited through the tiny, profane souvenirs which I could get hold of. Gradually, these artefacts gained a life of their own and transformed into elements of my creative work. Now I realize that almost none of my recent art work can do without them," Cora expressed her ideas on how she started her creative process.

According to Cora, her lifestyle has become a metaphor for the interpretation of her work. It shows undoubtedly a kind of weaving pattern, involving threads from various corners of the world, expressing thoughts and feelings lived and formulated in different languages.

A striking difference about Cora's work is that she had dedicated a section of her paintings to portraits of hands, using black and white paint. These hands are shown in many forms and patterns, appearing in different shapes, designs and textures.

"We may not dedicate much time reflecting on these expressive parts of our body. This fact struck me! I wanted to pay homage to these hands which have their powerful share in the woven texture of my life," she said.

Two red and black paintings vividly display the artist's connection with a number of places she had lived in or visited. The section under the Spanish "Lo Cotidiano" consists of sculptures created from paper and polymers.

The petrified portraits are part of an installation created by the Theertha International Art workshop in Hanthana. Each of the stones portrays one of the artists who took part in the workshop. The eyes on Cora de Lang's works of art say it all.

There is depth, there is soul, linked together with memories of different places and lifestyles. Her process of creating new work seems like weaving.

That is the reason why the poet, essayist and art critic Keshav Malik contemplated Cora by writing that much of her artwork is "like a rich cobweb with all kinds of memories wrapped up in its threads".

Pictures by Sudath NISHANTHA

Dayananda's Gajaman Puwatha to go on boards again

DRAMA: The drama "Gajaman Puwatha", first stage at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on October 14, 1975 will be revived and go on boards again at the Lumbini Theatre, Colombo on October 13, 2006 at 6.45 p.m.

There will be a repeat performance at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. on October 21st (Saturday) at Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo 10.

The main objective of this exercise in recreating this drama is to revive the enthusiasm once again in self-styled drama among the youth of this country.

"Gajaman Puwatha" was the first theatre production in Sri Lanka to adopt the docu drama style.

"An artiste in reproducing a historical event attempts to project a relevant contemporary value he observes in such an event. Accordingly, what is the significance of the Gajaman Puwatha?

I observed the characters and incidents in "Gajaman Puwatha" relative to the social problems we face today.

Once I was deeply impressed by the relief enjoyed by a cinema actress after a discussion I had with her on the misconceptions of the artistes prevailing among the public.

The opinion that performing artistes are a group of social outcasts is not limited to this country or the present era. I felt Gajaman Nona was a fitting model in portraying these facts.

Further, the numerous aspects of the life of Gajaman Nona provide useful insights in to the emotions of different artistes" ("Gajaman Puwatha", Dayananda Gunawardena - 1976)

"Gajaman Puwatha", the highly acclaimed production of the late Dayananda Gunawardena is presented by Nalu Keerthi Sabha theatre troupe. The sponsors for this venture are Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi and Bandu Liyanage.

The role of Gajaman Nona is played by Rathmalie Gunasekara while Nissanka Diddeniya acts as Elapatha Mudali. Support cast includes Rohana Beddage, Neil Alles, Jayalath Manorathna, Chandrasoma Binduhewa, Rodney Warnakula, Chandra Kaluaarachchi, Rathnasheela Perera, Nelum Kalubowila, Nilanthi Heendeniya, Tharanga Kumari, Kumara Liyanage, Indika Jayasinghe, Sujani Nisanka, Ferni Roshini, Dulanjani Weerakkody and Shalika.

The music and dance compositions are by Rohana Beddage.

Music is directed by Ranjith Balasuriya while stage management and props are by Ashoka Jayasinghe. Costumes are by Irangani Gunawardena. Makeup is by Gomes Hewa while Lighting is by Upali Rupasiri.

Shani: A concert pianist par excellence

MUSIC: Shani Diluka is beyond any doubt a world-class concert pianist and a rising star in Europe. She has impressed the leading critics as well as music lovers to such an extent that a top publication (Piano Magazine) has called her "one of the greatest talents of her generation".

She has also received similar accolades from other prestigious magazines, such as Le Monde de la Musique and Diapason.

Shani, who is of Sri Lankan origin, grew up in Monte Carlo, where she has been feted on several occasions for her distinguished contribution to the performing arts.

She now lives in Paris and is married to Eric Maria Couturier, cello soloist of the esteemed Pierre Boulez Ensemble Intercontemporain and an eminent musician in his own right.

Even though for all intents and purposes, Shani is French, her genes are Sri Lankan, and though she speaks English with a delightful French accent, her personality is unmistakeably South Asian.

Indeed, she is one of the most talented and charming Sri Lankans one could ever hope to meet: a national treasure, in other words. I say national because if one googles her, one cannot fail to note the numerous references to her Sri Lankan identity. (It's all in French, of course).

Shani is young, beautiful and enormously gifted. Her technique is phenomenal and her musicality borders on genius, which is why she was among the six up-and-coming pianists in the world to gain admission to the International Piano Academy of Como in 2005.

The academy is presided over by none other than Martha Argerich, one of the finest pianists of her generation. Shani is an outstanding product of the prestigious Paris National Superior Conservatory (CNSM), having won first prize in the final year (2001).

Since graduating from the CNSM, she has won several awards, including second prize in the Areachon International Piano Competition and first prize in the Natexis International Piano Competition.

She was also a finalist at the Gina Bachauer International Competition in Salt Lake City. In recent years, she has performed in a number of leading European cities and also undertaken tours to South Asia and the Far East.

She also appears in such major musical festivals as the Young Masters Series at the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, la Roque d'Antheron, la Folle Journee de Nantes, Tokyo folle journec, the international Chopin festival in Bagatelle, and la Cite de la Musique in Paris.

In a figurative sense, Shani Diluka is a painter, an alchemist, and a poet rolled into one, for she has the uncanny knack of weaving a magical spell over the audience every time she plays.

If there is such a thing as the alchemy of music, then one must hear Shani to savor it in its purest form. Shani will be taking a break from her busy international schedule to perform in Colombo, at the British school Auditorium, on October 14.

- Seneka Abeyratne

Percy's 'Ekathuwak'

PHOTOGRAPHY: Veteran photo journalist Percy Fernando will hold his second photographic exhibition titled "Ekathuwak 2006", from October 28 to 31 at the Shirley Corea hall in Chilaw. The exhibition will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Percy, who counts over 20 years as a photo journalist, has won several awards at various photographic competitions. He is also the chairman of "Thevana Esa", the association of photographers and journalists.

The unique feature of this exhibition is that Percy has included over 150 photographs of various events of the life of Chilaw Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, who will relinquish his duties after 38 years of service.

Ranjith's Nature in Focus-2

RANJITH de Silva's third photographic exhibition Nature In Focus - 2 will be held from October 13 to 15 at the Lionel Wendt (Harold Peiris) Gallery.

Due to technical advancements in digital photography one is able to record the subject matter in great detail; indeed the end product has unprecedented quality and substance.

With the exhibits in Nature In Focus - 2 Ranjith has attempted to record in addition to wild life, the scenic beauty of our island including some pictures of the minute animal world.

These are unique, and have been recorded with great patience and fortitude.

It was done over a period of nine months, and the collection itself speak of the endurance in terms of time and effort.

Colours of Nature

RHUANI Rambukwella, a contemporary artist and her students aging from 5-15 years, will exhibit their paintings at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on October 14 and 15 from 8.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Dynamically colourful and very inviting to the onlooker, Colours of Nature seeks to bring out the students versatility in different mediums like pencil sketches, oils, acrylic, charcoal, watercolour, encaustic painting etc.

Whilst browsing through the artists work, you cannot overlook the workmanship some dark, some light colours needing great control and tailoring.

One needs only to look at the application of the paint, the layering of different colours as well as the tonal contrasts that define the composition to know that nothing is accidental.

Why Colours of Nature? Looking at our day-to-day surroundings and the fast growing concrete jungle we live in it was important to bring to viewers' attention that God's creation needs to be preserved. Therefore they thought, it would be good to bring colours of nature closer to home.

MAF get-together

THE Moratuwa Arts Forum (MAF) has organised a cricket carnival and get-together with the participation of film stars and media personnels on October 22 Sunday at the Nationalised Services Cricket Club at Airport Junction, Ratmalana at 9.30 a.m.

The Project Committee: Clinton Fernando and Tilak Perera (Project Chairman), Anuradha Mendis (Project Secretary), Nihal Fernando (Project Treasurer), Jagath Peiris (Project Committee Member), Lloyd Fernando (Project Committee Member).

Film Forum

Venue: Goethe Hall

Date/Time: 18-20 Oct. 5.30 p.m.

First German Films with sound from the 30s and 40s

These are relevant examples from a historically important period of German cinema, much of it still entertaining; in those days, however, of high national and international standard and of much acclaim.

After 30 years of silent films, by the end of the twenties (in the USA the first film with sound was produced in 1927), the German cinema was equally compelled to take a big step (eventually done in 1929), away from their enormously successful silent films into the new chapter of cinematographic development.

German film directors were somehow reluctant for one or two years, before they ventured into the film with sound - only to realize that some of the most beloved actors couldn't be used any longer, as their voice was less effective on cinema than their body language and general acting skills.

The first real success with this new type of film was "The Blue Angel" (1930) starring Marlene Dietrich as Lola. This film made her famous in Hollywood, too. "The Three from the Filling Station" released on year later in 1934, became a blockbuster and served as a role model for many Hollywood musicals.

Another film made in the same year, "M" became an example for exploiting the new possibilities of sound in the film. This detective story became one of the best German films made by Fritz Land.

Hitler came to power in 1933. Many things changed in Germany - also the cinema. We will show 3 examples from the Nazi era: "The Emperor of California" (1936) - a western; "Baron Muenchhausen" (1942) - the most expensive production of Nazi cinema and "Titanic" (1943) - a film shown only abroad as the Nazis feared the metaphor of the sinking ship.

Dates: 18, 19, 20 October 2006 - Time: 50.30 p.m.

Wed 18 Oct. 5.30 p.m.

1) The Blue Angel (Der blaue Engel) (1930)

Thu. 19 Oct. 5.30 p.m. 02) The Three from the Filling Station (Die drei von der Tankstelle) (1931)

Fri. 20 Oct. 5.30 p.m.

3) M (1931)

Film Forum: Second Part November 22 - 24

Wed. 22 Nov. 5.30 p.m.

Thu: 23 Nov. 5.30 p.m.

Fri. 24 No. 5.30 p.m.

4) The Emperor of California (Der Kaiser von Kalifornien) (1936)

5) Baron Muenchhausen (Munchhausen) (1942)

6) Titanic (1943)