International Art Biennale sets off

The first edition of International Art Biennale Cox's Bazar-2015, a new platform for international art, was inaugurated at Cox's Bazar Institute and Public Library yesterday.

The four long art fiesta features a panoramic survey of work by artists from Bangladesh, India and Korea and presents major projects alongside emerging names from the region.

The event is a group initiative by artists, curators, university teachers and writers; it's a non-profit platform collaboration with 54 participating artists, curator, critics and media experts from Bangladesh and abroad.

Eminent academic and critic Salimullah Khan inaugurated the event yesterday with Amirul Rajiv, curator of the biennale, elaborating on the initiative.

The Biennale exhibits solo projects, photography, photo montage, watercolours and other forms of artworks including drawing, calligraphy, paper collage, print, installation, a children's art project, a series of talks on art, performance art, screening of experimental films and presentations by local puppeteers.

“Ah Sundarban” a major project on the environmental concern surrounding Sundarbans have their photographs on display at the event alongside promising Indian  photographer Nirvair Singh Rai's work on images of Rohingyas from Myanmar. There is also an Origami exhibition by Hyelyoung Lee and works by Sangmi Shin.

 On display are etching prints by Ashit Mitra, surrealistic drawings by Sharafat Hossain Pasha, Shimul Saha's experimental new media art work titled “We All are the Dust of the Air”, Harun-ar-Rashid's photographs and watercolours by four artists - Dr Malay Bala, Gopal Saha, Amit Nandi and Zahangir Alom of “Oriental Painting Study Group”. Paintings by Bipasha Hayat, speak of her childhood and adulthood experience of ancient architectures and sculptures.

Pavel Partha and Syed Nizar Alam will deliver a series of lectures on art and ecology.

 Other notable works on display are from Ashim Halder Sagor, Apu Dhar, Abinash Chakma, Jahar Sinha, Kiamoul Haque Sam and Samanta Shermin and installations by Jublee Dewan, Suchayan Paul, Jionto Raju, Razib Datta Mumit Mahbub and Sayeed Sumon.

A workshop on puppetry by Jolpori Puppet Studio with Cox's Bazar school children will also be held in the four day proceedings that end Sept 13.