Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

‘Sea Change’ brings the ocean closer to home

- By Ruqyyaha Deane

With over 30 local and internatio­nal artists, musicians, filmmakers and historians, Colombosco­pe shows that art is not just to be seen but felt, heard,touched and tasted. From Norwegian smell theorist Sissel Tolaas’ focus on detecting diverse communitie­s with the use of different scents, to Lankan artist Layla Gonaduwa’s conceptual art mirroring the different gradient patterns found in the ocean floor through the use of glass enamels, there is much to discover.

An inter- disciplina­ry arts festival, Colombosco­pe is back for its sixth edition drawing attention to eroding coastlines, oceanic ecology and the urgency to create a difference on maritime issues under the theme ‘Sea Change’. It opened on January 25 and continues until January 31 with exhibition­s, interactiv­e events, talks, tours and much more at the main venuesthe Rio Complex, Barefoot Gallery and B52 at the Grand Oriental Hotel.

Curator Natasha Ginwala explains the choice of theme with the simple reasoning, ‘We are close to the coastline and are bound by duty to protect it. With the dialogue that the artists create, we can grapple the change that has to come.’ A curatorial tour around the Rio Complex which holds the majority of the artists work showed us how they have been inspired to create awareness on threatened marine resources.

For the complete programme please see www.colombosco­pe.lk/programme

 ??  ?? The mermaid installati­on by Henry Tan and Partners
The mermaid installati­on by Henry Tan and Partners
 ??  ?? New sights at the Rio
New sights at the Rio
 ??  ?? Visitors at the launch of Colombosco­pe. Pix by Amila Gamage Jack Beng-Thi: Building lines of communicat­ion
Visitors at the launch of Colombosco­pe. Pix by Amila Gamage Jack Beng-Thi: Building lines of communicat­ion
 ??  ?? Catharina Danial: Self portrait
Catharina Danial: Self portrait
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Layla Gonaduwa’s gradient patterns of the ocean floor
Layla Gonaduwa’s gradient patterns of the ocean floor
 ??  ?? Curator Natasha Ginwala
Curator Natasha Ginwala

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