Arts-&-Culture
Female artists dominate the Venice Biennale for 1st time
For the first time in the 127-year history of the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair features a majority of female and gender non-conforming artists, under the curatorial direction of Cecilia Alemani.
The result is a Biennale that puts the spotlight on artists who have been long overlooked despite prolific careers, while also investigating themes including gender norms, colonialism and climate change.
Alemani’s main show, titled “The Milk of Dreams,” alongside 80 national pavilions opens Saturday after a one-year pandemic delay. The art fair runs through Nov. 27. It is only the fourth of the Biennale’s 59 editions under female curation.
Women took the top Golden Lion awards announced Saturday for best national pavilion, which went to the United Kingdom pavilion and artist Sonia Boyce. Best participant in the main exhibition was won by U.S. sculptor Simone Leigh.
The predominance of women among the more than 200 artists that Alemani chose for the main show “was not a choice, but a process,” Alemani, a New York-based Italian curator, said this week.
“I think some of the best artists today are women artists,” she told The Associated Press. “But also, let’s not forget, that in the long history of the Venice Biennale, the preponderance of male artists in previous editions has been astonishing.”
“Unfortunately, we still have not solved many issues that pertain to gender,” Alemani said.
Conceived during the coronavirus pandemic and opening as war rages in Europe, Alemani acknowledged that art in such times may seem “superficial.” But she also asserted the Biennale’s role over the decades as a “sort of seismographer of history ... to absorb and record also the traumas and the crises that go well beyond the contemporary art world.”
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In a potent reminder, the Russian pavilion remains locked this year, after the artists withdrew following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nearby, sandbags have been erected in the center of the Giardini by the curators of the Ukrainian Pavilion, and surrounded by stylized posters of fresh artwork by Ukrainian artists representing the horrors of the two-month-old war.
American artist Leigh is among the women getting long-overdue recognition in mid-career at this Biennale. She is both headlining the U.S. pavilion and setting the tone at the main exhibit with a towering bust of a Black woman that Alemani originally commissioned for the High Line urban park in New York City.
Fusun Onur, a pioneer of conceptual art in Turkey, at age 85 has filled the Turkish pavilion with wiry cats and mice set up in storyboard tableaus that confront modern-day threats like the pandemic and climate change. While proud of her role representing Turkey and the work she produced during the pandemic in her home overlooking the Bosphorus, she acknowledged that the honor was late in coming.
“Why it is so I don’t know,” Fusan said by phone from Istanbul. “Women artists are working hard, but they are not always recognized. It is always men first.”
New Zealand is represented by third gender artist Yuki Kihara, whose installation “Paradise Camp,” tells the story of Samoa’s Fa’afafine community of people who don’t accept the gender they were assigned at birth.
The exhibition features photos of the Fa’afafine mimicking paintings of Pacific islanders by post-impressionist French artist Paul Gaugin, reclaiming the images in a process the artist refers to as “upcycling.”
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“Paradise Camp is really about imagining a Fa’afafine utopia, where it shutters colonial hetero-normality to make way for an Indigenous world view that is inclusive and sensitive to the changes in the environment,” Kihara said.
The image of a hyper-realistic sculpture of a futuristic female satyr giving birth opposite her satyr partner, who has hung himself, sets a grim post-apocalyptic tone at the Danish Pavilion, created by Uffe Isolotto.
The Nordic nations of Norway, Sweden and Finland this year turned over their shared pavilion to the Sami, one of Europe’s oldest Indigenous groups, touching on a different idea of nation as the Sami ancestral arctic homeland now spans four nations.
The Sami Pavilion offered a more hopeful path out of the apocalypse, with artwork and performances depicting the struggle against colonialism by the Sami people, while also celebrating their traditions.
“We have in a way discovered how to live within the apocalyptic world and do it while, you know, maintaining our spirits and our beliefs and systems of value,″ said co-curator Liisa-Ravna Finbog.
This year’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement awards go to German artist Katherina Fritsch, whose life-like Elephant sculpture stands in the rotunda of the main exhibit building in the Giardini, and Chilean poet, artist and filmmaker Cecilia Vicuna, whose portrait of her mother’s eyes graces the Biennale catalog cover.
Vicuna painted the portrait while the family was in exile after the violent military coup in Chile against President Salvador Allende. Now 97, her mother accompanied her to the Biennale.
“You see that her spirit is still present, so in a way that painting is like a triumph of love against dictatorship, against repression, against hatred,” Vicuna said.
Lessons of Ramadan: What does the holy month teach us?
Fasting is an important basic act of worship in Islam. Like every act of worship in Islam, there is a lot of wisdom in fasting. Moreover, the importance and significance of fasting in our lives are immense. The true teachings of love for creation and desire for welfare should be reflected in our hearts and lives through Ramadan. In addition to worship in Ramadan, it is also necessary to acquire education in some humanities. Let’s see what we can learn from Ramadan.
The Teachings of Holy Ramadan
Taqwa or Fear of Allah
Taqwa means fear of Allah (God). Ramadan teaches us the most, taqwa. In the last verse of the verse in which Allah has declared fasting obligatory, He said, "So that you may attain taqwa." A fasting person can eat something secretly in the corner of the house if he wants. But, no one does that as the person has fear of Allah. But, we should not only fear Allah during Ramadan, we should hold fear all time. We can learn this lesson of Ramadan and apply it to our daily life by doing good deeds by knowing that Allah is watching us.
Read: Ramadan Fasting with Diabetes: Best foods for Sehri and Iftar
Self-control
Self-control means to suppress oneself, to control oneself. In other months, we do bad things or use bad words, these happen very rarely among us during Ramadan. For the sake of the purity of Ramadan, many times we refrain from these misdeeds by thinking about the sanctity of Ramadan. This habit of self-control is formed in us only during the month of Ramadan and we need to continue this throughout the year.
Patience
Iftar items are ready on the table, but we are not taking anything until the Azan or the exact time to break the fast. This is patience. Someone hurts you, but you did not reply back as you are fasting. This teaches us passion.
Further, Ramadan teaches us great patience even in worship. We are fasting every day and after completing the Esha prayer we are performing 20 Rakat Taraweeh prayers. This also teaches us patience, which we can use in our real life.
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In other months, sometimes our laziness comes during performing obligatory prayers, but during Ramadan, our laziness does not come at all. That’s how Ramadan teaches our patience
Moderate Diet
It is forbidden in the hadith to eat too much and the negative effects of eating up to the throat are also mentioned in the hadith. Medical science also warns us about this. We are consciously or subconsciously careful about this in the month of Ramadan. Hence, we tend to eat less food in iftar as we have to attend Taraweeh.
Moreover, we eat as little food as possible in Iftar, otherwise, it will be difficult to perform Taraweeh. We can imply this throughout the year to keep ourselves healthy. So, we can make it a habit for the rest of the year and keep this lesson in our minds.
Read: Healthy Iftar Meal Recipes for Breaking Ramadan Fasting
Good sense of discipline
The well-disciplined feeling that Ramadan teaches us every day, from Sehri to Tarabeeh, is important to our lives, even if we don't see it. During Ramadan, every fasting person has a specific routine, according to which the person manages the whole day. We have to carry this Ramadan-given routine for the sake of welfare even after Ramadan.
Helping the Poor
Ramadan actually gives us a special opportunity to help the poor through Zakat and donation. During Ramadan, almost every eligible person pays Zakat to the rightful owners according to their ability. Through this Zakat, we create special sympathy for the poor, orphans, and helpless people of society. We can keep this as a habit even after Ramadan throughout the year.
Read: Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
Provide Food to Other
The beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has clearly told us that there is a great reward if we feed someone. In Ramadan, many people come forward to arrange Iftar-sehri for the helpless, aiming to get huge rewards. It awakens a kind of human feeling in us. The gentle mentality of giving food to the hungry develops in us. This is a great lesson we can make a habit even after Ramadan.
Lighten the Labor of the Workers
Ramadan has been instructed to lighten the burden of hardship on employees and to be kind to the workers. Workers' rights are important in Islam. His labor hours, labor value, social status, and rights are preserved in the most beautiful way in Islam.
In addition, during the month of Ramadan, it has been instructed to alleviate the sufferings of the workers, and Allah forgives the person who reduces the workload of his slaves and employees during this month. However, the opposite situation is observed in our country. We can learn this empathy from Ramadan and imply to our life after Ramadan too.
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Suppression of Malice
Fasting is the best tool to suppress evil instincts. As a result, people tend to refrain from sin and get encouragement for good deeds That is why fasting has been called the shield of salvation from sin Narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA), Rasulullah (SAW) said, "Allah Ta'ala said, 'Fasting is a shield.'
Equality and Harmony
All Muslims at the same time, in the month of Ramadan, abide by the same rules, refraining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. And collectively, that is, rich-poor, fair-black, men and women all obey the command of Allah together. Hence, the image of great unity emerged. Fasting teaches people to refrain from quarrels and fights In this way, it encourages the establishment of harmony and love between each other.
Final Words
These teachings and leassons of Ramadan will be effective only when we apply these in the remaining 11 months of the year. We have to spend the every day of our lives focusing on these lessons and applying them to our daily life.
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"Stone Time": Bipasha Hayat’s solo exhibition begins at Gallery Chitrak
Showcasing captivating artworks, acclaimed actor-painter Bipasha Hayat's exclusive solo exhibition titled "Stone Time" was inaugurated on Saturday at Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi in the capital, demonstrating the recent global catastrophes, crises and ups and downs during the prime of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Inaugurated by Ekushey Padak conferred eminent cartoonist and art maestro Rafiqun Nabi, the opening ceremony of the seventh solo exhibition of Bipasha Hayat was presided over by internationally acclaimed painter and printmaker Shahid Kabir.
Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Arts Dean professor Nisar Hossain joined the inauguration ceremony as the special guest while legendary actor and Bipasha Hayat’s father Abul Hayat, former Bangladesh ambassador to Poland Mahfuzur Rahman and other artists and art admirers also joined the inauguration ceremony.
Cultural organizations welcome Pahela Baishakh with in-person events after two years
After spending two Bengali New Year celebrations with no in-person events and virtual celebrations, different government and cultural organisations finally welcomed Bangla New Year 1429 by organizing diverse programmes at different public venues.
The festivities of the day started in the early morning with the traditional cultural programme organised by Chhayanaut at the Ramna Batamul in the capital.
Also read:Amid tight security, Pahela Boisakh celebrated in DU
Dhaka University campus to witness Mangal Shobhajatra brought out by fine arts faculty of Dhaka University to welcome the advent of Baishakh 1429. Besides, special programmes will be organised in Uttara, Dhanmondi and other areas in the capital at 6:15 am. The two-hour programme featured group and solo songs presentations, dance recitals, speech and poetry recitations and instrumental presentations.
Art camp for special children held on Pohela Boishakh
Cultural personalities Subarna Mostafa MP and Afzal Hossain joined an art camp with special children on the occasion of Pohela Boishakh. Prominent directors Amitabh Reza, Opi Karim and Iresh Jaker also joined and spent time with special children and provided them with encouragement and motivation.
It was organized by Samsung and Fair Electronics under the supervision of Nabiha Raida Foundation at Samsung Flagship Store, Gulshan Avenue.
The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Huang Sang Woo, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Limited and Ruhul Alam Al Mahboob, Chairman, Fair Group.
Chairman of Fair Group Ruhul Alam Al Mahboob said the event was inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his daughter Saima Wazed.
"Not only sound education but his alertness and dedication are most required. These children are our resources. We need to get out of this taboo with the joint efforts of all and the Fair Group will continue to work to create jobs for these special children."
Also read: Bengalees celebrate Pahela Baishakh with pomp and gaiety
100 Years of Rocket Paddle Steamer: A Pride and Heritage of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country of the river, so we have a glorious history of traveling by water. The paddle steamer is such a historic water vehicle in Bangladesh. In the past, several paddle steamers built by the British used to travel the Dhaka-Calcutta route. Later, as the Dhaka-Kolkata route was closed, the steamers traveled from Dhaka to Khulna. At present, due to the reduced navigability of the river, these paddle steamers are running from Dhaka’s Buriganga across the country’s main rivers to Morrelganj in Bagerhat. These 100 years old paddle steamers might stop their services soon or in the future. So, we have tried to dig everything you need to know about paddle steamers in Bangladesh.
Paddle Steamer and Its History
Coal is used as fuel in these steamers, which are almost a hundred years old. In the early eighties, coal was replaced by diesel engines. The paddle steamer is named because the launch moves forward with the help of two large paddles. However, due to the high speed at that time, the steamers became more known as rocket steamers.
Among the few paddle steamers in the world PS Mashood (1926), PS Ostrich (1929), PS Lepcha (1938), PS Turn (1950), and MV Shela (1951) are in Bangladesh. Under the nearly 100-year-old official rocket service, three steamers still operate as public transport on Dhaka – Morrelganj – Dhaka route. The paddle steamers are so old that they are no longer used anywhere in the world.
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The steamers operate on the Dhaka-Khulna route under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC). The biggest of these are ‘Masud’ and ‘Ostrich.’ More than ninety years ago, in 1928, the paddle steamer PS Masood was built at the Garden Rich Workshop in Calcutta.
During that time, England’s “River and Steam Navigation” company used to operate huge streamers in this country. These vehicles were the main means of communication between Dhaka-Barisal, and Barisal-Goaland.
Paddle Steamer at a Glance
The rocket steamer has 12 first-class and 10 second-class air-conditioned cabins. Two beds in each cabin with their own veranda. First and second-class tickets are sold from Motijheel, BIWTA head office, and third-class tickets are sold in the steamer. In the third class, passengers have to bring their own bed to sit on the deck. The cabins contain two beds, a table, a washbasin, and two fans.
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While the roofs of all launches are accessible to the general public, there is no way to enjoy the river at night by sitting on the roof of a rocket steamer. Rocket roofs are not suitable for human movement. It has a small room in which the rocket steamer’s captain sits and operates the steamer.
Food and Drinks
If you want to eat canteen food on the paddle steamer, you have to order in advance. The food is cooked after ordering. If you want, you can take a food package of 220 Taka per person. There is also a variety of food, including coral fish and chicken fry as snacks. If you want to carry the food in the cabin, you may need to pay Tk 50 as a service charge.
There are usually two types of menus. A menu with khichuri, chicken, and eggs, and another menu with white rice chicken and two fillings.
Amenities for Local Passengers
The second-class rooms are located on the backside of the steamer, and the rooms are smaller than the first class. These rooms do not come with a washbasin or linen. However, Shower rooms and toilets are shared by the first- and second-class passengers. Between the first and second classes, inter and deck classes are available. The deck passengers have common toilets to use.
DU to celebrate Bengali New year with 'Mangal Shobhajatra' after 2 years
The Dhaka University (DU) authorities has announced a roadmap to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year, with traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' on April 14 after a two- year break.
The flagship procession from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, was not held in 1427 due to the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the FFA organized a symbolic procession on its premises in the following year due to lockdown during the period.
Read:Sights, sounds of Pahela Baishakh to return to Ramna after two years
The details regarding this year's celebration were announced in a meeting chaired by DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, held at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building on Sunday.
At the meeting, it was announced that this year's 'Mangal Shobhajatra' will start from the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) premises at 9 am.
The procession will be brought out from the Sarak Deep area of the TSC as the road in front of the FFA has been narrowed due to the ongoing construction work of Metro Rail.
After parading the 'Memory Eternal' monument premises of the university, the Shobhajatra will end at TSC premises on the campus.
The meeting committee also announced that the festivity must be concluded within 5 pm and public entrance would be restricted on the campus area after that.
Evaluating the present context of COVID-19 in the country as well as the month of Holy Ramadan, the authorities requested the citizens to limit the public gatherings in this year's procession.
Alongside requesting everyone to maintain proper hygiene, the authorities announced that festive masks and bags cannot be carried on campus. However, masks made by the Faculty of Fine Arts can be carried.
Furthermore, it was declared that playing and selling of the Vuvuzela flute at this year's event will be strictly prohibited.
On the day of Pahela Baishakh, movement of the procession-goers and others via the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan behind the Raju sculpture will be restricted. However, the FFA entrance in front of the Suhrawardy Udyan, the adjoining gate of the Engineering Institute and the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan in front of the Bangla Academy will remain open for the citizens.
Vehicles without DU authorized stickers will not be allowed on campus after 7 pm on April 13, as well as on the day of the Pahela Baishakh.
Residents on the campus area can use the road to Nilkhet and Palashi intersection for their transportation using their own vehicles.
The committee requested police to install CCTV cameras and archways on the campus to ensure the security inside the campus area during the festivities.
Read:Longest-running Amar Ekushey Book Fair ends; Tk52.50 crore books sold
Mobile public toilets will be set up in the area adjacent to Haji Muhammad Muhsin Hall, the area adjacent to TSC (Student-Teacher Center) the area around Doyel Chattar and Curzon Hall, the committee said at the meeting.
Now cemented as one of the most vivid and significant additions to the Bengali New Year celebration in the country, the DU Faculty of Fine Arts have been celebrating the traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' since 1989.
Sights, sounds of Pahela Baishakh to return to Ramna after two years
For the first time after the start of the Covid pandemic two years ago, Chhayanaut will welcome the Bengali new calendar year 1429 with cultural festivities at Ramna Park on April 14 this year.
However, as Pahela Baishakh will be observed during the holy month of Ramadan, the festivities have been scaled down, the cultural institution said Saturday.
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"In the past two years, we remained confined to home due to the global pandemic. However, taking stock of the current situation, Chhayanaut has stepped up to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429 with its traditional festivity again at the Ramna Batamul," Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun said.
Inspired by the success of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair this year, the institution has started taking adequate preparations to organise its traditional festivity at the Ramna Batamul to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429, Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali said.
Usually, more than a hundred Chhayanaut performers participate and showcase their musical performances every year at a live event in Ramna.
However, considering the health protocols as well as the month of holy Ramadan, this time "we have reduced the number of performers and the overall duration of our event," Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa told UNB.
Chhayanaut, founded in 1961, has earned global fame for organising the traditional, extravagant cultural festivity of Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Park every year.
Read: Pandemic dampens Pahela Boishakh celebrations in Bangladesh
The only exception was in 1971, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, then the last two years due to Covid.
The traditional cultural presentation of Chhayanaut marking the Pahela Baishakh – one of the most coveted and long-awaited festivities in Bangladesh – has earned its fame as one of the grandest regular cultural celebrations in the world.
Bangabandhu named peace as a prerequisite for development: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen stated on Saturday that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emphasized the establishment of peace as a prerequisite for development, following the groundbreaking foreign policy of "friendship with all, enmity with none."
“Bangabandhu highlighted the need of establishing peace as a necessity for prosperity throughout his life, and following his footsteps, we have been advocating a peace culture in many international forums for the benefit of disadvantaged people against prejudice, conflict, and violence,” Dr Momen said while inaugurating the Microtopia International Art Fest 2021-22 at Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi in the capital.
Emphasizing the importance of art in society, he said that the language of art is universal.
“People all over the world have different languages, different religions and different political ideologies, but the unique language of art is able to reach the hearts of all kinds of spectators by overcoming all the barriers of human-to-human communication,” he added.
Lauding the organizers, Dr Momen said that art is a significant medium of fostering human connection, nurturing a culture of world peace, fighting against exploitation and hardship, and celebrating humanity's achievement - all of which are offered to all people, regardless of religion or caste.
Noted artist Professor Shishir Bhattacharjee joined the opening ceremony as the special guest, while eminent artist Professor Rafiqun Nabi presided over the ceremony.
Longest-running Amar Ekushey Book Fair ends; Tk52.50 crore books sold
The longest-running Amar Ekushey Book Fair concluded in the capital Thursday.
The 31-day fair is estimated to have sold books worth Tk52.50 crore.
Traditionally held throughout February every year at the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, the fair's 2022 edition started on February 15 after a pandemic-induced delay.
Jalal Ahmed, director of the Bangla Academy and member secretary of the Ekushey Book Fair Committee, presented the sales report of this year at the closing ceremony.