NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

The Magnificient Seven

Artists from four countries hope to take their creativity across boundaries

By AKSHAY SHARMA

Seven artists from the East and the West are meeting in Nepal to create works on Nepali paper, which they intend to exhibit around the world. An exhibition of the seven artists from four countries, entitled "Made in Nepal", was inaugurated by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Rudiger Lemp on January 25th at the Siddhartha Art Gallery.

"Seven different artists from four different countries, Nepal, India, Germany and the Netherlands, spontaneously decided to launch an exhibition from here in Kathmandu. Later on, and possibly in an enlarged form, this exhibition will then move to other locations around the globe," Lemp said.

"Globalization is a course nothing new in the realm of fine arts. That Kathmandu brought these artists together did not happen by accident. The visitor to this exhibition will easily discover the samples of the abstract works displayed. Individualistic as they appear, they embody the stimulating spirit of a unique country and its fascinating culture," Lemp said, The seven artists will work at their studio at Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, until February 7.

Jac Gijzen, from Breda, Netherlands, sees art as," Ethereal expressionism in a new form of expressionist painting whose origin is through interaction with different cultures. I use the principles of the East (Buddhism and Hinduism) and make a fusion in the West."

"I was in Nepal in 1980 and I have been here 10 times. I invited some people to encourage interaction between cultures. In 2002, we hope to invite artists from China and Japan. To start in Kathmandu is historical... Kathmandu is one big pigment of colors," Gijzen told SPOTLIGHT.

"Art is the passion of my life," Gijzen says. Asked why the team chose Nepali paper, he says: "Our aim is to use Nepali pigments in Nepali paper. I spent 20 years of my life in art and developed my skills. In 1980, I set out to see different cultures, to meet people and share experiences. It is very interesting to exchange eastern and western art."

On Nepali art Gijzen says: "The art of Nepali artists is very traditional. It is not good for the artist. They need to develop art forms because art transcends all boundaries created by man. People make boundaries, but artists don't see the boundaries."

Rob de Gaff is from the Hague, Netherlands. He works for balance in the opposites. A recurring theme in his works is found in chaos and order, which he translates in his concept into rhythmic structures.

"When chaos surrounds me, I long for order. When everything is too structured, I need to create chaos and order, which cannot exist without each other. Both are elements in a process that rhythmically and according to fixed patterns encourage movement, change and renewal, leading to organic and dynamic order. My paintings and drawings are from my imagination of this process," he says.

Rolf A. Kluenter is from Buervenich, Germany. His works include paintings on black and thick handmade papers with rough borders. With irregular shapes, freak paper forms, shaped papers, black paper object and paper installations, he creates magic.

Lila Mookerjee, from Friburg, Breisgau, Germany, says: "As a painter, I am fascinated by different kinds of light. They influence color and form. When form is reduced, color becomes more intensive and pure. Forms can appear and disappear. I feel closely related to the French painters of the 70s and 80s and the poetic visualization of Nico de Maria."

Peter Schenk, who is from Amsterdam, Netherlands, is working in mixing media on paper and canvas. " I like to travel and work in various places around the world, especially Asia. I am looking for places of spiritual importance, for beautiful landscapes and original people. This time I found the top of the world -- Kathmandu," he says.

Schenk, a first-time visitor to Nepal, says: "All of us worked together and were influenced by each other's works. We used all the elements from Nepal." Speaking about his paintings and on why the team chose Nepal to begin exhibiting their shows, he says: "Gijzen, who has been to Nepal several times, told me about the country. I was impressed by the mountains - the theme of the painting "Clouds meets Mountains" - and the energy centered in Kathmandu."

Speaking about another of his works, "Himalayan Woman," Schenk says: "I was surprised when I saw these strong people and the attitude required to live and survive at that altitude."

Of "Three Spirits", he says: "I tried to portray something as free as a snake. No real job and no boss --- just like an artist. "I started out to study art in 1968 and ever since 1972 I have been experimenting with art. It's a different language with no words. When you look at art, it touches your heart directly. Art is a universal language."

Prakash Chandwadkar, from Aurangabad, India, says: "I chose Nepali paper because there is a lot of possibility for an artist to experiment on. I am inspired by Nepal and have been here for three years. I like to work in Nepal, rather than in India. I have a studio at the Osho Tapoban, Nagarjun where they let me stay and paint. I have exhibited many of my paintings. I paint from my heart."

"Art is a visualization of a constant change. Painting is meditation; painting is the joy to get in contact with eternity and with the universal force. Color and movement express my being in the moment," Chandwadkar says. The team is planning another project called "Ten Artists: Ten Stations - Art Beyond Borders and Boundaries." Exhibitions will follow on to Amsterdam, Berlin, Bombay and Shanghai. The project "Made in Nepal - Art Beyond Borders and Boundaries" began on January 5 and will conclude on February 8 at the Nepal Art Council.