Major exhibition explores India's vibrant arts and ancient cultural traditions
Hull, Quebec, May 4, 2000 — With today's opening of the major new exhibition, India - The Living Arts, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in association with presenting sponsor Nortel Networks and the Canada Council for the Arts, offers visitors an unforgettable look at one of the world's great civilizations.
Featuring more than 500 works of art and craft in a series of interactive environments, India - The Living Arts brings visitors face to face with the cultural essence of India's cities, villages, palaces and homes. Showcasing artistic traditions which have endured for centuries, India - The Living Arts also celebrates the cultural vibrancy which continues to inform modern Indian life and inspire other cultures.
"India - The Living Arts is the first-ever major exhibition of Indian art and craft presented in Canada. We are very pleased to celebrate a civilization which has remained so vibrant and alive around the world today and especially here in Canada," said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. "Together, India's many cultures constitute one of the world's oldest civilizations, one that has made its influence felt in the arts, philosophy and culture from time immemorial. Here in Canada, members of the Indo-Canadian community are making tremendous contributions to our cultural, technological and business sectors. Through this exhibition and the many programmes presented in association with our partners, we hope to provide our visitors with a taste of the vast richness that is India."
To enhance visitor appreciation of South Asia's rich diversity, the Museum and its partners are offering a full slate of programmes and activities throughout the run of the exhibition. Craft and artistry are the heart of India - The Living Arts, and courtesy of Sun Life Financial in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, visitors will have an unprecedented opportunity to watch artisans from India at work in the exhibition space. India's performing arts traditions are equally well represented in a year-long performing arts series sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts, which introduces museum-goers to some of Canada's finest South Asian dancers, musicians, singers and actors. And throughout the summer and fall of 2000, the Museum's outdoor Plaza comes to dazzling life, courtesy of the Royal Bank Financial Group, with a lush and exotic Indian garden featuring performances, craft demonstrations and more.
Adding to the excitement, a film series, sponsored by Bell Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Film Institute, and a Literary Rendezvous series, courtesy of Bank of Montreal in collaboration with the National Library of Canada, will feature the best in contemporary South Asian film and literature. Educational programmes sponsored by Zenith Insurance Company introduce younger visitors to India's crafts, foods, clothing and performance arts. An Indian-inspired fashion show, workshops, craft demonstrations, lectures and other special programming will round out this season-long celebration of India's rich culture and artistic legacy. Other sponsors include the multilingual and multicultural broadcaster CFMT-TV, which will provide extensive promotional support.
"As a multicultural company with a global presence, we work to provide people around the world with the means to communicate and share information," said Joseph Samuel, Managing Director, Nortel Networks India. "We are proud to sponsor India - The Living Arts at the Canadian Museum of Civilization as it introduces one of the world's most enduring Asian cultures to audiences across Canada."
India - The Living Arts will be presented in the Special Exhibitions Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 5, 2000 to February 18, 2001.
Information (media):
Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7169
Senior Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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