In the simple sketch is Eugen von Ransonnet-Villez’s diving bell. Looking out over an underwater landscape, the man sits in his narrow, cramped quarters, kept on the seafloor by the weights that dangle from his primitive submersible. We can only imagine how uncomfortable the intrepid explorer was, but judging by the results his hands at least were steady – he produced what were the first accurate images of underwater coral landscapes in Sri Lanka and possibly the world.
Opening this Wednesday, ‘A Return to Sri Lanka: Images of Sri Lanka from British Collections (1640-1900s)’ features Eugen and a whole host of his brothers in arms – adventurers and naturalists, painters, photographers, cartographers and explorers – who came to catalogue the riches of Sri Lanka.
Introducing the head table at the news conference held to announce the exhibition last week, Ranmali Mirchandani, Manager, Programme Delivery at the British Council drew attention to what a “rare opportunity” the exhibition represented. Some of these images have never been seen here by local audiences, and certainly not outside a textbook.
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The treasure trove represents nearly 300 years of Sri Lankan history as seen through the eyes of the Europeans who alternately attempted in the words of Lead Curator John Falconer “to conquer or to seduce” her. Also the Curator of Photographs at the British Library, London, John has created exhibitions for Sri Lanka before, notably ‘Regeneration’, a survey of photography in Sri Lanka, produced by the British Council in 2000. Working closely with him this time, is co-curator, Menika van der Poorten.
The curator gave the assembled press a taste of what to expect. Taking us through some of the highlights of the exhibition, he explained that it would be roughly chronological. Among the images shown were the vivid, beautiful maps commissioned by the Portuguese to track their possessions on the island, the elaborate and accurate Schneider map, the photography of Frederick Fiebig (a favourite with John who describes him as a man of mystery) and the drawings of naturalist Eudelin de Jonville. The 150 odd images that will make up the exhibit are drawn from the collections of the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museums, the Natural History Museum, London and the National Museum, Colombo.
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Tony Reilly, Country Director, British Council took the opportunity to talk about how a key concern for the organisers was ensuring that the exhibition would be accessible. With that in mind, the entire exhibit has been designed to be portable and will travel from Colombo to Kandy, Galle and Jaffna.
Visitors will find each image accompanied by explanatory text in English, Sinhala and Tamil. Moreover, for 12 months, beginning from the 16th of September, the British Council will ensure the exhibit is available online at www.britishcouncil.org/srilanka. For the first time, the British Council in Sri Lanka will also be using QR codes, a type of barcode that can be read by smartphones, to enhance visitors experience of the exhibition, revealed Assistant Manager Programme Delivery, Lakmaal Rodrigo.
Menika is also keen to have schoolchildren and those students of the historical period attend. So much so, that the organisers have set aside three days during which they will be on hand to lead guided tours of the exhibit. This can be arranged by prior appointment. (contact the British Council on 011- 4521521).
Bernard de Alwis, secretary to the Ministry of National Heritage was also present at the news conference – once the exhibition’s tour is complete, it will be presented to the Ministry. Addressing the audience he spoke of how the fact that the exhibition could be taken on a tour, even to hitherto inaccessible parts of the entire country was something to celebrate after 30 years of war.
Return to Sri Lanka’ is produced in collaboration by the British Library and the British Council (Sri Lanka), with funding provided by the World Collection’s Programme. Exhibition dates and venues: Lionel Wendt Gallery September 14 - 28, Jaffna Public Library October 5 -19, Kandy City Centre October 24 - November 6, Galle Municipal Council November 11- 24. |
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