The Colombo Cultural Cruise and the power of artistic expression

Saturday, 22 February 2014 11:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The German Embassy’s Colombo Cultural Cruise celebrated the power of artistic expression with an evening of music, dance and street art as part of the Colombo Art Biennale (CAB) 2014. Guests visited four venues to experience four unique facets of CAB, an event supported by the German Embassy.

The opening act of the evening was Dr. Draw, a Canadian experimental electric violinist, recognised for his energetic performances and ability to transcend musical boundaries. Dr. Draw’s musical style brings together elements of the classical violin, jazz-rock fusion, folk and pop. Following this invigorating start, guests took the bus – the evening’s official transport – to the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, the main venue for CAB 2014. There, they received a curated walkthrough of the exhibits focusing on the theme of ‘Making History’. Guests were then invited to express their own artistic instincts via a workshop conducted by well-known street artist P413 Mob at the Park Street Mews. The participants covered 10 stark white canvasses in a myriad of colours, vibrant and untamed as in the best tradition of the street art culture. The final stop was the Goethe Institute – the German cultural centre – for a performance by nATANDA, a contemporary dance troupe headed by Kapila Palihawadana. An intimate setting focused the energy of a sensuous performance in a distinctive style fusing traditional Kandyan dance, ballet, yoga and Bharatha Naatyam. The German Embassy will partner nATANDA in an upcoming project titled ‘Touch’ which goes on stage at the British School auditorium from 4-6 April.