Colomboscope 2024 Explores Forest Ecologies and Decolonial Practices
The exhibition titled 'Way of the Forest,' part of Colomboscope 2024, unfolds in Sri Lanka and delves into the themes of interdependence and restorative practices within rainforests and wetlands. It advocates for a departure from exploitative educational systems and highlights the forest as a significant concept across various languages. The exhibition investigates ecological narratives, environmental knowledge, and the consequences of colonization. Artists address issues of land ownership, displacement, and conservation limitations, drawing on folktales and the exploitation of natural resources. Indigenous communities grapple with loss and resistance in the face of corporate capitalism. Notable participants include Anoma Wijewardene and Anupam Roy, with collaborators such as A Thousand Channels and the Chennai Photo Biennale.
Key facts
- Colomboscope 2024 is titled 'Way of the Forest'.
- The exhibition is multi-chapter with accompanying events.
- It explores ecological histories, colonization, and forest conservation.
- The forest is presented as a lexicon with meanings in multiple languages.
- Participants include over 50 artists and collectives.
- Collaborators include MMCA Sri Lanka, Chennai Photo Biennale, and others.
- The exhibition addresses displacement and conservation restrictions.
- It references folktales and mythologies about forests.
Entities
Artists
- Anoma Wijewardene
- Anupam Roy
- Anushka Rustomji
- U. Arulraj
- Barbara Sansoni
- Chija Lama
- Dumiduni Illangasinghe
- Fernando García-Dory
- Jayatu Chakma
- Karachi LaJamia
- Karunasiri Wijesinghe
- Kieren Karritpul
- Komal Purbe
- Madhumala Mandal
- Rebati Mandal
- Selo Yadav
- Krisushananthan Inkaran
- Kulagu Tu Buvongan
- Laki Senanayake
- Mónica de Miranda
- Müge Yılmaz
- Nahla al Tabbaa
- Otobong Nkanga
- Pankaja Withanachchi
- Roshan De Selfa
- Pathum Dharmarathna
- Pushpakanthan Pakkiyarajah
- Rakibul Anwar
- MTF Rukshana
- Ruwangi Amarasinghe
- Sangita Maity
- Sanod Maharjan
- Saodat Ismailova
- Sarmila Sooriyakumar
- Pirainila Krishnarajah
- Shehan Obeysekera
- Shiraz Bayjoo
- Soma Surovi Jannat
- U Yits Ka’an
- Rafiki Sánchez
- Cecilia Moo
- Subas Tamang
- Sunita Maharjan
- Sanjeev Maharjan
- Tamarra Jayasundera
- Thava Thajendran
- Myriam Mihindou
- Tawfiq Sediqi
- Elena Sorokina
- Thujiba Vijayalayan
- Trent Walter
- Venuri Perera
- Eisa Jocson
- Zihan Karim
- Syma Tariq
- Ritu Sarin
- Tenzing Sonam
- Imaad Majeed
- Korakrit Arunanondchai
- Christina Li
- Asvajit Boyle
- Nigel Perera
- Coco Em
- Firi Rahman
Institutions
- Colomboscope
- A Thousand Channels
- BLAK C.O.R.E.
- Chennai Photo Biennale
- Collective of Contemporary Artists (CoCA)
- Dharamshala International Film Festival
- KACHA KACHA
- Kälam Ka(ra)mi
- Ghost 2561-2565
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA)
- Musicmatters
- Non-Applicable (N/A)
- Norient
- Parrotfish Collective
- Small Cat Advocacy and Research (SCAR)
- The Packet
- Visual Art and Experiences Group (VAEG)
- Spore Initiative
- Colectivo Suumil Móokt’aan
- The Initiative for Practices and Visions of Radical Care
- Memory, Truth and Justice
Locations
- Sri Lanka