Speaking at the opening of this triennial festival that carries the theme of Earth, Body and Mind, Sangeeta Thapa, director of the festival, quoting the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) said, “Amongst the 16 countries that are said to be in extreme risk in South Asia, Nepal ranks number four. We dedicate this festival to the most critical issue of climate change and using art as a tool for social change, to change the way people view the issue.”[break]
With 18 international and local patrons including the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, and over a dozen sponsors, the festival will engage various forms of art, including installations, paintings, photography, etc.., at major art galleries and public spaces in Kathmandu.
“We have given a special focus to Lalitpur, the ancient city of art, in an attempt to present it as a vibrant contemporary art scene,” added Thapa.
Chancellor of Nepal Fine Arts Academy Kiran Mnandhar and Professor Abhi Subedi jointly inaugrate 2nd International Art Festival–2012 at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu on Sunday.
Professor Abhi Subedi, who is also in the advisory committee for the festival, delivered an amusing speech congratulating and appreciating Siddhartha Arts Foundation for having put together such a huge festival as well as working to keep alive the art scene in Nepal. Subedi spoke of the strength of artists and their arts as an “expression of power.” The festival was inaugurated by Subedi and Kiran Manandhar, the Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
An art performance by Leang Seckon from Cambodia and exhibitions by Canadian artist Gary Wornell as well as Iranian artist Hojat Amani was held soon after the inauguration at the Central Zoo, Jawalakhel.
Another performance by British artist Gaynor O’Flynn and his team of Beinghuman in Nepal also took place at the Patan Museum on the first day of the festival.
Related story
‘Art Evolves: Nepali Modern Art’: Review
-1773673205.webp)
