Arts

An interactive approach to conflict transformation

Breaking the walls of Illusion - Forum Theatre:

by Ranga Chandrarathne

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One of the cardinal characteristics of Forum Theatre is that it is dialectical rather than didactic in trying to impose a view on the spectators as in the case of conventional theatre.

In the first presentation, a principle part of a written script which central message is of oppression relevant to the audience is enacted and during the presentation, the spectators are asked to digest the main information of the script.

Although the subject matter for the play may vary from place to place, the methodology applied is the same. The essence of the script is that the oppressed character or characters failed to overcome the oppression.

On conclusion of the first performance, the act is played out again and specters are allowed to intervene at any point of the second performance.

What would happened here is that the spect-actor would ‘stop’ the play and take part as the oppressed character and try to overcome the oppression by employing hitherto unused methods while the actor will portray the oppressor continuously attempting to bring the play to the scripted ending.

If the methodology employed by spect-actor is unrealistic the audience would point it out and then specter-actor would modify the action accordingly.

If the specter-actor failed to overcome oppression, the actor who played the oppressed character resumes acting until another spect-acter would call “Stop” and the process would continue.

If and when the spect-actor conquered oppression, the production takes a different course and the roles would interchanged. Now the spect-actor takes up the role of oppressor and tries to challenge the oppressed actor. The process is designed in such a way that is to be dialectical, coming to a conclusion considering the opposing arguments.

The exactly opposite takes place in a conventional theatre where the spectators remain receivers and the actors are addressing the audience and convey a one-dimension of a social issue. Counter-arguments and opposing views on the issues have not been taken into consideration.

One of the positive out comes of the rehearsal was that participants came out with their individuals experiences that made up their mindsets. At the end they realised their own prejudices on sensitive social issues that make the backbone of the problems.

Sunera Foundation’s latest initiative Forum Theatre has, once again, proved the intrinsic properties in theatre.

Although it was for the first time in Sri Lanka that theatrical tool of forum theatre has been used in conflict transformation, experiment was a journey of discovery into intransigent mindsets that form the back bone of social issues. Perhaps, this is the first time in the world that Forum theatre has been used to manage the disabled.

About the Forum Theatre

Forum Theatre was created by the innovative and influential theatrical director and writer Augusto Boal. While practising in China earlier in his career, Boal would apply ‘simultaneous dramaturgy’.

In this process the actors or audience members could stop a performance, often a short scene in which a character was being oppressed in some way (for example, a typically chauvinist man mistreating a woman or a factory owner mistreating an employee).

The audience would suggest different actions for the actors to carry out on-stage in an attempt to change the outcome of what they were seeing.

This was an attempt to undo the traditional audience/actor partition and bring audience members into the performance, to have an input into the dramatic action they were watching.

‘Light of Life’ - an exhibition of paintings

By Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

An extraordinary combination of passion: from the profundity of studying for a Bachelors in bio-science to exploring her inherent finesse for painting on canvas, Kumari Pradeepika Perera has been inspired by the “light in her life”; the enthusiasm of actively engaging in distinct interests simultaneously and effectually.

The centrepiece of the artist’s endeavour “Light of Life” comprising twenty five oil paintings on canvas will be on display at the Art Gallery on June 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. onwards.

Kumari, a product of Buddhist Ladies College Colombo says “science is reminiscent of art and the combination of interest is explicable. Indulging in painting keeps ones mind focused and resolute. It is a very supportive medium which enhances one’s concentration and thus they go hand in glove.”

Having being inspired by eminent artistes such as Puwasthi Ediriweera, Janaka Gunaratne, Jayantha Tissera and Akila Jayalath Kumari has established her creativity in the aesthetic over a comparatively short period of time.

The young artist after having joined the Ceylon Arts Society was selected for further training in painting having been awarded the first place for her work by the Society.

Her paintings depict true life incidences, sceneries and portraits while she also enjoys line drawing too. Kumari is confident that she could not only make a name for herself as a fine artist but excel in the field of bio-science too.

‘Brush with Art’

A name synonymous with art spanning twenty five years of service as a painter and teacher of art, Kumari de Alwis will hold her fifth exhibition “A Brush With Art” at the Lionel Wendt on June 28 and 29 from 10 am to 8 p.m.

Kumari who was a talented musician and artist in her hey day at Bridget’s Convent has been the hand that guided many an artist from toddler to adult who showed enthusiasm of brush strokes on canvas. Having initially been a music teacher, Kumari pursued her dream to study the art of painting from the moment she enroled as a student of Mudliyar A. C. G. S. Amarasekera.

“Art is all about differentiating light and shade in the use of colour in order to make contrasts when painting accompanied by correct and realistic perception. Without emphasis on these two aspects any painting wouldn’t be a satisfactory piece of art”, Kumari de Alwis says.

With her expertise she thereafter moved into teaching art for eight years after having migrated to Germany where she received much exposure. Her exhibits were even sold in the UK, she says.

This was a great phase of my life and now, for the past two decades I have dedicated my services towards nurturing the talent of artists in Sri Lanka.RKA

Artist’s portrayal of society

Exhibition of paintings by H. S. Sarath:

by Ranga Chandrarathne

With his master brush strokes Sarath turns his third eye to the range of social issues such as conflict, bomb blasts that killed politician like Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, commuters who had been killed in recent bus bombs and the adverse effect of the protracted conflict on the people and their lives.

For they do not have either time or extra-money to stay a while appreciating a work of art, read a book or watch a drama. He articulates as an artist he could not turn a blind eye to the unfolding reality before the naked eye. This collection of paintings is a testimony to his sharp insight into contemporary Sri Lankan conflict.

The exhibition of paintings by veteran artist H. S. Sarath which will be held from July 20 to July 23, 2008, is a window into contemporary society as portrayed by the artist.

Sarath passionately believes that an artist cannot be oblivious to the reality; busy life that modern men and women lead in the midst of terrorist attacks which killed politicians, commuters so much so making the population on the move.

They have hardly any time left for appreciating work of art and those who live in villages cannot afford to travel to Colombo due to the prevailing volatile situation. On top of all, is the rising cost of living triggered by soaring oil prices.

Sarath states through his paintings he tries to express the adverse impact of the conflict on life in contemporary Sri Lankan society and how the changes that have been brought about in the sphere of public security and terrorist’s taking soft targets such as buses affect the lives of the ordinary citizens. They now have no time to enjoy a film, read a book or appreciate a painting.

The present collection includes paintings of human figures, oil paintings as well as line drawings. For instance, one of the line drawings depicts the turbulent world drawing parallels with contemporary Sri Lankan society. The life is not as smooth and slow motion as it had been a couple of decades ago.

It is a fast moving society where the age-old ethos has been upside down and in their stead, emerge utter chaos with violence.

Sarath has used images such as flying fish and tiger eats a deer and skeletons to symbolize chaos and violence.

Singular characteristic of the present collection is the sheer variety of subject matter that Sarath have been chosen to draw his works. The subjects range from chaos in society to violence and love. He has basically used the media of oil paintings and line drawings for the exhibition.

Art exhibition

Warna Rashmi, an art exhibition by R. D. Rashmi Yasodya, a Grade 12 student of St. Joseph’s Girls School Nugegoda will be on at the National Art Gallery today from 10.30 a.m. onwards.