CuriousWorks’ new arts project is about Sri Lanka – and I’m hoping that you can be a part of it.
Put simply, what do you wish for Sri Lanka’s future? If you could speak honestly – without fearing what others may think, with the lessons learned from the past, but without the baggage – what would you say?
We’re looking for simple contributions about Sri Lanka that the Australian public will be able to see, hear, taste, touch and smell. Send us something in the post. Leave a voicemail message. Think laterally. What image, item or sound could represent what you wish for Sri Lanka’s future?
I put this question particularly to the Sri Lankans reading this post – but also to anyone who has an interest in the pearl island. Your answers will be part of a touring installation and an ongoing website that reaches out to many parts of the Australian community and media.
As with any past ridden by war, it is often hard to speak openly about this. If you prefer it, feel free to make an anonymous contribution. Send a postcard with no return address. Leave an item at our door (just ring the bell before you leave!). Email an mp3 from a gmail account you just created.
Tell us a secret.
What do you wish for Sri Lanka’s future?
My Amma (mother) and I in Sri Lanka, just before the decision was made to find a new home because of the civil war. I grew up as an Australian. Please don’t ask me about the sailor suit.
Each and every contribution will be showcased on a website specifically for the project – building over time an interactive, online installation. We will work hard to spread your messages to the wider Australian community and media. CuriousWorks’ first arts project, The Migrant Project, reached out to over 2,000 diverse Australians and received plenty of attention from mainstream, independent and community press. We’ll build on that with this project.
Many wishes for Sri Lanka will no doubt involve Australia, or other countries the diaspora has spread to. With the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam laying down their arms in the North of the island, the next stage in this troubled history is as yet unformed. Is there a new path? Australia already has a significant Sri Lankan migrant population. With increased conflict this year in Pakistan and Afghanistan alongside Sri Lanka’s own, an increased number of refugees from these areas will be heading to our shores. What is Australia’s role? Can we afford to think we are disconnected to troubles overseas? Or should we not meddle in such complex matters?
Sri Lankan Refugees in South India
There is another side to this project. Over the next 12 months, I’ll also be writing a script and score for a new performance. This work will weave together 4 stories from 4 generations of Sri Lankans and Australian-Sri Lankans. There have been many shades to the social and political history of Sri Lanka. Peace, argument, politics, activism, heroics, indifference, mistrust, deceit, suffering and extreme violence have all played their part. I would like the performance to illuminate on some of this complex past for an Australian audience.
In contrast, your contributions will paint a picture for them of possible futures, and will tour as an installation with the performance in 2010/2011.
So: if you could speak honestly – without fear of what others may think, with the lessons learnt from the past but without the baggage, what would you wish for Sri Lanka’s future?
SEND IN YOUR CONTRIBUTION:
Email something: lanka@curiousworks.com.au
Leave a private voicemail message: Call (+612) 800 46894 anytime after hours or on weekends
Post something to: The Future, CuriousWorks, 402/11 Randle St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia