Re-Tooling workshop#1: hacking the system

In October 19 & 20 I got a chance to participate in the workshop. The two days were very useful for me. As a practicing artist I wanted to gain some knowledge about the current system of art world. Especially the functions about the Galleries, art festivals, biennials. And finally I felt that I came to the correct point to find out it. The workshop had organized by Colomcoscope. And it was held in a coolest place called Gampola which is located in the middle of Sri Lanka. Between the hills and huge mountains there is a home- like Hotel where we all gathered and stayed for two days. Personally this was the first time to me travel alone to the upcountry and I was the only person who visit from Jaffna. I was excited to reach the hotel as a first member in our team and reached around 4.30 pm in that dark rainy evening. I had to wait for the other members who arrived in the late night and we all welcomed by Iromi and Luca who are the owners of the whole property of the hotel ‘Ellerton’.   

The curator of Colomboscope Natasha Ginnwala introduced about the program and explained the aim of the workshop in the morning session. And all the sessions had completed one by one according the schedule.

*Terms & conditions

*Spatial Practice

*Print Matters

*Case Studies

Were the topics of the schedule and there were some group activities in the middle. They were very useful. We could discuss about the problems what we are facing in practicing. Also we could talk about the issues about gallery spaces and art festivals specially the positive and negative sides of them. All the members shared their own experiences. We had chance to do the presentation about what we did in the past and the present days. I also got chance to do some translation in the middle of the sessions it helped to focus the whole sessions with attention. Over all the gathering gave a lot of energy. I could meet some of my artist friends after a long time from the South and East. Also the curators and designers as well. In the end the curator introduced the next Colomboscope which is going to be in 2021. Finally we end up the two day workshop with the strong conclusion and farewell with the lovely dinner. I stayed the night and came back to Jaffna in the next day.