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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Sharika Galleries to develop local art market
'The creativity and determination of the new wave of artists, wishing to be exposed and accepted by the world market motivates us', expressed Senaka Senanayake exhibiting artist and co-curator when Sharika Galleries at the Atrium Cafe, Colombo Plaza Hotel was opened last week. The gallery was opened to exhibit the finest cross section of work ranging from modern to contemporary Sri Lankan art, many of whom are exclusive to the gallery.
Senaka Senanayake one of Sri Lanka's most prominent artists has been exhibiting internationally for over 46 years and has worked at promoting other Sri Lankan artists for the past 25 years. The gallery is opened 24 hours for viewing from 9 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. daily for business. Guyathrie in concert
This concert is a fund raiser for S.H.A.R.E. a pioneer project in Sri Lanka which has brought the benefits of distant nursing to the slums in Kotahena. The organisation can proudly claim that it brought the best of medical care to the doorstep of the underprivileged. Guyathrie Pieris and William Patrick, her regular accompanist since 1990 have given concerts throughout the UK. Her operatic roles include Orfeo - Orfeo ed Euridice, Romeo - 1 Capuletti ed Montecchi, Suzuki - Madame Butterfly, Rosina - Il Barberde Seviglia and Dorabella - Cosi Fan Tutte. She has also played leading roles in Annie, Oklahoma, Hello Dolly, West Side Story and My Fair Lady. The concert on Wednesday December 15 will also feature Karl Katz and his Ballroom Ensemble. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500, Rs. 300, Rs. 200. On December 23 she will be featured in a concert presented by the Inner Wheel Club Colombo West. Entitled 'So Deep Is The Night' the musical evening will be a fund-raiser for the project Aid of the Genito Urinary/Dialysis Unit for the Kurunegala General Hospital. Guyathrie will be singing popular old time favourites such as Because, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing, Spanish Eyes, No Matter What, One Day at A Time, 'When I Grow Too Old To Dream and more selections from her CD titled So Deep Is the Night. The concert is at Bishops' College Auditorium at 7.00 p.m. Tickets and Box Plan is at the Auditorium. Kandyan styles Dearana creations formed by five young artists I. G. Ruwan Jayewardene, N. P. Madawa Nawandala, A. C. Nuwan Renu, Mahinda Bandara Dasanayake and Basuru Gamage, will be holding an exhibition titled 'Life and painting in the Kandyan era - (18th Century) at the Alliance Francaise Auditorium from December 16 to 20.
It is an Art developed by people who are ruled by the kings who have understood the harmony between religion and community" - (Maha Vanshaya), says the artistes. They also say "People belonging to that era were considered as important as it was an interwoven service providing system. If there wasn't a potter or a leather one would never hear the sound of a Bummanaya (a Sinhalese musical instrument). Due to this social linkage, quality of goods being evaluated in public. This economic system suited the traditional industrial set up of that period. Furthermore, in this environment the unity and the sovereignty of the country were protected. Through this network, all the citizens were involved in the national economic process. "Kandyan painting tradition is very prominent among the different streams of 'Sinhalese Buddhist Art'. Due to foreign invasions the society gradually changed and so did Art. Artists from that era who worked with spiritual discipline are still present in modern times but today's artist lacks knowledge even if he or she if financially sound. As a result today artist's vision of art is in danger as it is not honoured by the popular culture. Even though the masterpieces of the artist were celebrated in the past by many, at present it has almost become a displaying object or a product for sale. Therefore, this exhibition of paintings "Life and painting in Kandyan era - (18th Century) would present you a structural composition of Kandyan epoch. Critic's Corner A manifestation of commitment by Rohan Jayawardane A concert of the Colombo Trio on November 28 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre featuring Ramya Perera (Piano), Dushyanthi Perera (Cello) and Ananda Dabare (Violin) under the patronage of the Goethe Institut, Colombo. This short concert of classical chamber music featured principally the music of the Romantic era of Beethoven, Bruch, Brahms and Fanny Mendelssohn plus one work apiece of J. S. Bach and Hans Werner Henze (20th century). Quite surprisingly the programme notes made no mention of the individual names of the Colombo Trio nor of their experience and credentials as Sri Lanka's leading performers in their respective disciplines. The absence of a viola player in the Colombo Trio may possibly be an inhibiting factor in their range of repertoire. This concert itself was, in general terms, an expression of smooth and correctly produced instrumental music of individual high competence, but tending toward a complete lyricism albeit stated mostly in personal terms. In other words, there was insufficiency of the jointly uttered rise and fall of phrase, and of the delicious delicacies which are eminently a fine characteristic of the chamber idiom. This was an issue with the Beethoven work in particular. However, in the Max Bruch the verve and panache was irresistibly present. The modern composer Henze's work is in itself an attempt at some sort of Romantic expression using the mind-bending apposites of modern serial technique (etc). The adoption of a lyrical approach in tonality was inappropriate and the dynamics would certainly have benefitted from percussive effects and some dramatic contrasts whenever the score allowed it. The best moments of the evening were in the absorbing final item written by the little known sister of a great genius, Fraulein Fanny Mendelssohn. Her famous brother Felix is accredited with having the work publicised. It was in this beautiful Trio published in 1850 three years after the composer's death, that the Colombo Trio found smooth compatibility in collective chamber expression.The interpretation had been worked out and their own personal technical competence led the audience through many an exquisite moment of sweetness and of brilliance into a final flourish. Bravo! In conclusion it must be stated that Ananda Dabare, Ramya Perera and Dushyanthi Perera have performed regularly as soloists in the past ten to twenty years, and are also teachers of high merit. This reasonably well attended concert is a manifestation of their particular commitment to their chosen artistic medium of expression. The entire evening was a moment of elegance and charm whilst the brief chit-chat at "half time" with burly Arun Dias Bandaranaike (on stage) who led off into the dalliance with Hans Werner Henze was a "scrum-down" of no mean delight! And then, there was the Chamber again" mind over matter. Danke. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
A dire need in our country is to provide sculptors and painters as well
as emerging young artists exposure not only in a corporate environment but
also in a domestic one. This will be fulfilled by the gallery, which will
also feature a number of renowned international artists from the
Asia-Pacific region.
Guyathrie Pieris now an acclaimed international singer will give two
recitals on December 15 and 23, both of which will be fund-raisers for two
worthy causes. On December 15 she will perform with William Patrick
(piano) at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.30 p.m.
"The Kandyan Kingdom is one of the most important Epochs of our
history. We have observed that people who lived during that period enjoyed
art linked to their day-to-day life.
