NEWS On Friday 20 October at 19:00 Bildmuseet opens a large exhibition by recognised artist and filmmaker Amar Kanwar. The Sovereign Forest is a poetic response to the conflict over land and the resistance of local communities in the Indian state of Odisha.
Press preview on Thursday 19 October at 10:00. Amar Kanwar will participate.
In the Indian state of Odisha, governments and corporations have moved in to extract natural resources and build new industrial areas. The local populations have resisted and tried to protect their agricultural lands, forests and livelihoods.
The Sovereign Forest bears witness to this conflict as it initiates a creative response to our understanding of crime, politics, human rights and ecology. The validity of poetry as evidence in a trial, the discourse on seeing, on compassion, justice and the determination of the self – all come together in a constellation of films, seeds, books, texts, and photographs.
Amar Kanwar (b. 1964) was born and works in New Delhi, India. He is an artist and filmmaker, and his works have been presented at a number of international film festivals, art biennials and museums all over the world. Among others, this year was his fourth consecutive participation at documenta in Kassel, Germany.
The Sovereign Forest is created in collaboration with media activist Sudhir Pattnaik / Samadrusti and graphic designer Sherna Dastur.
Press preview: Thursday 19 October at 10:00Opening: Friday 20 October at 19:00
Press images: http://www.bildmuseet.umu.se/press-room
Sofia Johansson, Museum Curator, 090-786 93 53
Helena Vejbrink, Communications Officer, 070-271 33 73
Editor: Helena Vejbrink