Bengali New Year + Mangal Shobhajatra + Group Art Exhibition + Performance + Concert + Fun On April 15, 2019, Hihiri Pipiri hosted a Bengali New Year one-day event from morning to evening! First, in early morning, the 'walk for the goodwill of mankind' or 'wellbeing procession' known as Mangal Shobhajatra. This takes place all across Bengal and Bangladesh on the Bengali New Years Day (Pahela Boishakh/ Nabobarsho). Community members create large animal sculptures to march through the street and carry colorful hand-painted masks. Mangal Shobhajatra (মঙ্গল শোভাযাত্রা) on Pahela Baishakh, the latgest secular festival close to the hearts of Bengali, this festival is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and we thank Subrata Shuvro for attending the Kolkata press conference on behalf of Hihiri Pipiri, helping our small-town action to be officially recognized as a United Nations UNESCO event. We are proud to have hosted the first ever Mangal Shobhajatra in Santiniketan (Birbum District) and to participate in the continuation of a beautiful tradition. It is a vibrant and colourful procession in which thousands of people from all walks of life join freely and spontaneously as part of their celebration of the Bengali New Year in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh every year the mass procession is organized by the teachers and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. Organizer : Subrata Shuvro Art Director : Adite Majumder Subrata Shuvro and Adite Majumder organized and designed the construction bamboo and coconut-leaf Horse sculpture. The form of horse inspired from Bakura folk art motif. Guarab Das (Kakon) who devoloped the basic structure with Adite and Subrata. Pon Shilpon, Sourav Mistry (Megh), Sophie Ray Lee, Tamal Das, Russ Cubrich, Suman Majumder (Mojo), Ananya, other volunteers and villagers worked with them to built the giant horse. Specially the Taltore villagers were so friendly and supportive. Adite further created and facilitated mask-making. Subrata Managed to bring traditional mask design and official poster of the festival from Faculty of Fine Arts Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Adite and Subrata staying up many long nights to see the work completed with great honor and heart. (Contact [email protected] to reach Adite for art direction works). Building.wood, bamboo, coconut leaf, straw and rope Meanwhile, at the house... An exhibition was curated by Hihiri organizer Sophie Ray Lee, showcasing the works of our long-stay Artist in Resident Russ Cubrich in the company of Hihiri's permanent collection and garden gallery. The display also featured the works (and studios) of participating artists Tamal Das, Suman Majumdar, Sourav (Meg) Mistry, and Sophie Ray Lee. Visitors would be welcomed into the space following a procession of small clay trucks on a winding road, travelling through the garden and into the house, directing viewers toward and into the featured works and open studios. Small welded figures by Tamal Das Sophie Ray Lee open studio The days celebration ended with the setting sun...
Finally! a concert by the water, the wonderment of which could never be captured. musical performances by Mojo Bros and Co., Iasonas Psarakis, Moumita & Friends Photography/Documentation by Aranya Bandyopadhyay + Sophie Ray Lee Special thanks to all who participated!
"Today we exhibit the art of the beloved Russ Cubrich. We couldn't have asked for a better first International Artist in Residence and are so excited to celebrate with you his hard work and joyful antics. You have probably seen Russ around town the last few months, he's the goofy curly-haired dude with feathers in his hat who is almost always singing silly songs around a fire, playing with power tools, or climbing coconut trees until his chest bleeds. Over the last four and a half months, Russ has completed a beautiful work of community engagement. He built a fully functional Ceramic Kiln of his own design from a recycled Oil drum and facilitated many gatherings to play with ceramic handicraft (please view studio display inside house). Upon arrival, Russ was determined to learn how to climb the coconut trees. After learning, he has been proud to liberate many coconuts for the enjoyment of all nearby. From his climbs he collected and created over 40 coconut cups which will soon be for sale on our online shop. Further, Russ even has the ambition to create ladders and bridges between our 5 narcal gaach here at Hihiri. During his time here (in addition to the kiln and his own art work), Russ has helped us with many home improvements! From electrical work, roof repair, landscaping, furniture building, on and on.. He never stops working and his energy has been a brilliant addition to the community at large. Russ has created a small book about his time here to share with all (a request of all Hihiri Pipiri Artists in Residents). Please take one and enjoy his stories! He's also made a few gifts which are up for raffle. Donate 20rs to win a Russ Mala (railroad crushed US penny necklace), 100rs for a coconut cup. Today you can also view Fine Art sculpture works of Russ, inspired by found iconic clay tea cups, and a short compilation video of his many performances in Santiniketan this season. Other Featured Works Alex Poteca (House Installation, Paintings - Romania) Suman Majumder (Linocut Print - Santiniketan) Sophie Ray Lee (Studio, Essays, Garments - Santiniketan) Tamal Das (Metal Sculpture - Santiniketan) Jon, Shayna Kay & Lavrenty Repin (Pizza Oven - Canada) Sourav Megh Mistry (Photography - Kolkata) & other murals, doodles, and doo-dads by the rest of us... The Button Factory Manifesto |