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SAIHelpNepal on International Photofestival from 3.-9.11.2015
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From the 3rd-9th November, the first international photography
festival in Nepal will take place, where SAI Help Nepal will contribute
with the exhibition "Patis in Patan". The project is conducted by Prof.
Christiane Brosius (Professor of Visual and Media Anthropology,
Heidelberg University), the artist and curator Sujan Chitrakar and the
photographer Rajendra Shakya. |
One
of the most unique and yet sidelined sites in contemporary urban Nepal
are the pati (Newari: phalcha). There is no other space that is as
public, dynamic and available for multiple use, and for a variety of
social groups, as this arcaded platform. As the nodal points of Newar
culture, patis have a meandering history, often undergoing many
architectural and social changes. Many also have a daily rhythm that
invites use by different local groups. It is a ritual-site, a site for
gatherings and leisure, used as shelter, shop or storage. But it is
also a site that has been closed down or off, and silently vanished.
After the earthquake, it has been seemingly rediscovered as a
supportive institution, a much-needed island of momentary relief and
solidarity.
With this curated walk, we want to include, and allow the viewer to see through, the eyes of local groups, of elderly senior citizens and youth, unfolding a panorama of the city’s past, present and possible future. A future that considers intangible and tangible heritage as a central element of post-earthquake Kathmandu.
Several patis have been selected as entry-points into these time-lapse excursions. Based on joint research, and supported by local communities and students from Kathmandu University, Brosius, Chitrakar and Shakya have developed visual, spatial and audio narratives for the sites. The patis form a curated walk through Lalitpur, and cover a fascinating range of everyday culture captured in personal histories and memorabilia, collective memories and religious practices, filled with photographs and conversations.
Patis in Patan is part of a larger and long-term collaborative initiative including members of Heidelberg University, Kathmandu University and KVPT. It aims at facilitating and nurturing knowledge about the rich cultural practices of urban Nepal for research and teaching.
Artists involved:
With this curated walk, we want to include, and allow the viewer to see through, the eyes of local groups, of elderly senior citizens and youth, unfolding a panorama of the city’s past, present and possible future. A future that considers intangible and tangible heritage as a central element of post-earthquake Kathmandu.
Several patis have been selected as entry-points into these time-lapse excursions. Based on joint research, and supported by local communities and students from Kathmandu University, Brosius, Chitrakar and Shakya have developed visual, spatial and audio narratives for the sites. The patis form a curated walk through Lalitpur, and cover a fascinating range of everyday culture captured in personal histories and memorabilia, collective memories and religious practices, filled with photographs and conversations.
Patis in Patan is part of a larger and long-term collaborative initiative including members of Heidelberg University, Kathmandu University and KVPT. It aims at facilitating and nurturing knowledge about the rich cultural practices of urban Nepal for research and teaching.
Artists involved:
- Sundhara Pati: Bishal Yonjan, Deepak Lopchan, Dujaw Chitrakar, James Khati, Santosh Jarga Magar
- Chyasal and Bhajan Pati: Dikshya Katwal, Sameer Tamrakar, Shreeti Prajapati
- Manga Hiti Pati: Manoj Maharjan
More information about the exhibition is available here:
Official website of the festival
SAI Help Nepal
Cluster Asia and Europe
Heidelberg University
29 Oct 2015
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