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Name of the project
Future of history

Objective

The traditional culture is very deeply connected with the modern life in Nepal. Hence, the contemporary society even till date celebrates ancient rituals and practices. Everywhere around the world, culture has been the motivating factor and essential source for the modern arts to foster. However, in Nepal culture and contemporary art are usually seen as two different streams that originated from separate sources. Because of this conception, even though numerous art events happen every week, the contemporary art is still not making an enduring mark in the psyche of the general public. Due to this set back Nepal does not have a stable art scene.

The objective of this project is to address and eradicate this wall between culture and contemporary art, consequently introducing and fostering the over all Nepali art in the global art arena.

Secondly, the geographical boundaries between nations are gradually getting erased because the arts of the 21st century are bringing together the ethnic cultures of various nations worldwide. Therefore I believe art and culture is above and beyond every other human philosophies and beliefs. Following this attitude, this project will once at a step introduce the ethnic culture of Nepal through ultra modern approach to the international art community.

With these two major objectives, future of history, this time will introduce one of the most cherished festivities of Nepal- the Rato Machhendranath Fest.

Brief description of the project
Rato Machhendranath Fest

This is one of the longest and most interesting festivals held in Patan, Nepal. (Rato=red). The Rato Machhendranath is the God who has power over rain and is also known as Karunamaya (the God of mercy). The Buddhists identify him with Lokeshwar. The festival is celebrated by constructing a chariot (rath in Nepali) with a long steeple made of wood. This chariot is then moved about from place to place by thousands worshippers, often taking more than a month to reach its final destination before it is returned to its resting place. The legends indicate that this ceremony is being practiced in Nepal from 500 hundred years. This festival happens in the month of late April to May.

This project will be designed in such a way that it will bridge the culture and contemporary life style through art and technology. There are social, political, religious, superstitious and practical attributions to any form of cultural celebration. There are minute but significant aspects of such cultural practices which are generally hidden from common perspective. If unearthed, this will not only contribute in cultural level, but it will also impact artists, writers, and researchers alike.

My primary idea is to bring into light interesting, colorful and creative details of one of the most cherished and celebrated festivals in Kathmandu valley. And introduce it to the art community nationally and internationally. This, I believe will add a fresh dimension in perceiving the culture through the contemporary approach. In order to do so writer/researcher, painters, sculptors, multimedia artists, theatre artists and the media personnel will be joining hands to make this project a reality.

I intend to make this project a research oriented one, because without such initiation, facts and fables cannot be distinguished and brought into light. Even though we celebrate various festivals the whole year, most of them have remained in a form of folklores and myth. However, once its deeper realties are revealed, I believe they will be much interesting, creative and practical. These festivities are like ancient artifacts that are hidden in the far desert or deep jungle. Once it is unearthed, it will redefine our history and will consequently add new perspective and approach towards the future. Hence the title of this project is future of history.

Methodology

1. Collaborative and/or individual research and artworks by artists
   Seven artists from different genres will conduct a thorough research on Rato Machhendranath. The time frame of this research will be 2 months. During this period they will visit the necessary locations and culture experts and scholars. They will also collect testimonials from the locals connected with this ancient culture. They will keep proper documentation of their findings. Afterwards, they will create art works basing their concept on their research. For the preparation of the artworks we have provided 3 months time. In the mean time they will be continuously in contact with the on board writer. The writer will also conduct research and interact with the involved artists.

2. Lecture and interaction events
   The writer along with other art and culture experts will provide lectures in order to better the vision and concept of the artists.

3. Involvement of Sarbanaam, the theatre group
   Sarbanaam is a pioneer theatre group which is active nationally and internationally since the last 26 years. They have been addressing social and political issues in more than hundreds plays till date. They are the pioneer in inventing street plays, which is one of the popular styles in commencing a play. This time they will interact with the participating artists, the writer and other experts, will survey the outcome of the research, and design a theatre piece which will be inaugurated on the opening day of the exhibition of this project. The theatre piece will introduce the Rato Machhendranath in a modern and creative approach.

4. Publication of Book
   The involved art writer and researcher after conducting research and interacting with the participating artists will write a book. This book will feature ideas on the integration point between culture and modernity, and the role and impact of modern art in this integration process. The artists and writer will constantly be in contact with one another during this project. This is a major initiation, because publication of research oriented art book in Nepal is very rare. Since only handful of books on art has been published here in Nepal, this book will surely create a definite impact in the Nepali art scene. Further, it will be distributed to art organizations abroad as well; therefore, it will also introduce the art and culture of Nepal overseas.

5. Creating a CD of the whole event
   A videographer will film the important segments of the project, from research phase to lecture and interaction, and artists creating their art works. Later in the exhibition this CD will be distributed to the visitors, tourism related governmental and non governmental organizations and art organizations nationally and internationally.

6. The grand inauguration and exhibition
   After 4 to 5 months of rigorous efforts by all the participants, a grand exhibition will be commenced. This exhibition will witness the participation of artists, art admirers, Medias and the general public.

7. Distribution of the book and the CD
   The book and the CD will be distributed to the government offices associated with the Nepal tourism sector. Moreover, the book and CD will also be dispatched to some of the art museums, galleries and connoisseurs world wide. This is probably the first time that artists have taken such initiation to promote the art and culture in Nepal.

Time frame of the project

4 to 5 months (starting from late May 2010)

Project output

Since this project involves artists and writer of different genre; therefore, it is going to be an interdisciplinary art exposition. However, the visible outputs are

Workshop
Interaction and lecture events
Exhibition of art works
Theatrical production
Publication of book and release of CD
Publication of catalogue and postcards

Target audience of the project

There are two groups of target audience of this project.

One is obviously the locals of the Kathmandu valley who are concerned with the cultural aspect of this project. However, most of them are not quite aware on the creative aspect of the festival and contemporary art in general. Since this project incorporates culture, it will be easier for us to have them aboard as our esteemed audiences. This is how they can understand and enjoy culture through the perspective of contemporary art.

Our second targeted audience is the art community, nationally and internationally. This project intends to introduce how art and culture is connected. And with creative approach how a cultural, social, modern and creative assemblage can be defined and refined through modern attitude. With proper measures the cultural diversity that we have here in Nepal can add a fresh dimension in understanding the contemporary art and life in general.

The refinement in the understanding of the above mentioned target audiences can surely improve the art scene of Nepal.

Disseminating the information about the project to the target audience

Some of our participating artists have websites; therefore, we will initially use this resource to publicize this event. Later on we will develop a personal website solely to promote this project. We will continuously circulate information regarding this project to art admirers, friends and the Media through emails and facebook.

We will also publish post cards once some of the works are created and distribute it in various organizations and to various individuals.

And above all, once the book, the CD and the catalogue are published, we will distribute them to various arts and tourism related organizations within the country, and also to selected art galleries and museums and art connoisseurs around the world. This step is very significant for this project, because the Nepalese art and culture has not been properly introduced in the global art phenomena.

Impact of the project on the art community and culture

This is probably the first of its kind art activity in Nepal that solely concentrates on the authentic research methodology. Earlier also, there have been some art activities that have been done with research. But not as authentic as this one, since it involves art writer and culture experts whose involvement in this project is to bring out a book that will shed light on the integration point of traditional culture and modernity through the contemporary arts. Since this book and the CD of this event will be distributed nationally and internationally, it will surely create a significant impact.

Besides this, a series of lecture and interaction events will be commenced involving our local audiences; they will comprehend the creative and modern approach to traditional culture and rituals.

The impact to art community will be that the artists and the audiences will understand that deep cultural values are the essential elements to foster the contemporary arts. And the impact in the culture is that the locals and culture experts will share the creative approach to perceive ancient practices. Both the impacts are, I believe equally significant and necessary to uplift the art and culture of Nepal.

Art students are vital part of the art community. They will not only comprehend the artistic and cultural perspective, but also learn the importance of research oriented activities. This will benefit them in building up their careers in the future.