The Tale of Two Cities is conceptualized as a one-year-long project facilitating established artists of two countries; India and Sri Lanka, to engage in an investigative/research-based art-making process together re looking at the socio-cultural and historical dynamics of two cities, Varanasi and Anuradhapura.
Both Varanasi (Banaras) and Anuradhapura are imbued with deep histories going back to ancient times intertwined with religious and spiritual beliefs and myths, making their contemporary existence loaded with symbolic significance of spirituality, power,and religiosity.
The project hopes to provide an opportunity for artists to connect from both countries and share their interests in understanding each city in its historical as well as contemporary contexts, which would reveal new possibilities to work on their art. It also allows interpretations and reinterpretation of history, spirituality, myth and symbolism of a bygone era and their contemporary manifestations through an art process enriched with felt experiences and empirical research.
‘The Tale of Two Cities’ art project will invite 6 artists from India and 5 artists from Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan program will commence on 2nd September 2015 and the residency will continue for 7 days in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. India program will be held from 1 to 6th December 2015 in Varanasi. During the residencies discussions, meetings with artists and other necessary activities will be facilitated in order to support their creative process.
The project was conceived by Renu Modi and sponsored by Espace Gallery, Theertha International Artists Collective and Serendipity Arts Trust.
The project will conclude with exhibitions at Espace Gallery, India and Red Dot Gallery/ Senaka Bandaranaike Memorial Gallery, Sri Lanka.
Both Varanasi (Banaras) and Anuradhapura are imbued with deep histories going back to ancient times intertwined with religious and spiritual beliefs and myths, making their contemporary existence loaded with symbolic significance of spirituality, power,and religiosity.
The project hopes to provide an opportunity for artists to connect from both countries and share their interests in understanding each city in its historical as well as contemporary contexts, which would reveal new possibilities to work on their art. It also allows interpretations and reinterpretation of history, spirituality, myth and symbolism of a bygone era and their contemporary manifestations through an art process enriched with felt experiences and empirical research.
‘The Tale of Two Cities’ art project will invite 6 artists from India and 5 artists from Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan program will commence on 2nd September 2015 and the residency will continue for 7 days in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. India program will be held from 1 to 6th December 2015 in Varanasi. During the residencies discussions, meetings with artists and other necessary activities will be facilitated in order to support their creative process.
The project was conceived by Renu Modi and sponsored by Espace Gallery, Theertha International Artists Collective and Serendipity Arts Trust.
Ruhanie Perera will connect with the Tale of Two Cities as the Curatorial Adviser.
The project will conclude with exhibitions at Espace Gallery, India and Red Dot Gallery/ Senaka Bandaranaike Memorial Gallery, Sri Lanka.
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| Ms. Renu Modi Project Initiator |
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| Ms.Ruhanie Perera Curatorial Adviser |
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| Darpana Capoor Gallery Espace |
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| Smriti Rajgarhia-Bhatt Serendipity Arts Trust |
