Trip to Iceland - Day 1 - Reykjavik

 We arrived in Reykjavik yesterday. That is 24th of July 2023.  Until now, I only knew of Björk, the Icelandic singer. The first thing I noticed was the lack of trees, similar to the Greek volcanic islands of Mykonos or Santorini. Compared to the lush green landscapes and forests of Sri Lanka, it feels like a luxurious dream here. Additionally, there's hyperinflation, leading to sky-high prices for everything, except lamb and fish, which they produce locally. To give you a comparison, in London, one can get fish and chips or kebab for 6-7 pounds, while here, it would be around 15-30 pounds.

The buildings are depressingly grey in color. We came here to see glaciers and hot springs, which I'll talk about tomorrow. The population is only about 400,000 people. Our Icelandic tour guide mentioned that if he lines up five Icelanders, one should be related to him. He jokingly called it his bizarre '1 in 5' is a relative theory. He said this as a fun fact, so don't take it seriously.

I googled it and apperantly it's true. moct icelanders are related to each other. They have app so they don't end up commiting incest. 

The beachside of the Atlantic Ocean is beautiful. Another interesting fact is that they talk about Norse gods as their own, like Odin, Thor, and Loki. The original inhabitants were from Norway, and there is a Viking ship wreck to confirm this. For comparison only, the main bus station is smaller than Edmonton bus station in London or Colombo Fort bus station.

People here are very nice and open, but they say they get depressed during winter times. As a result, the government gives them expenses-paid holidays to warmer destinations.

Here are some pictures of the capitl city of Iceland. It's population is around 123000 people. 

 Bus station

Atlantic Ocean

magma stone

rotating Perlan glass dome

tiny icelandic coast guard

city council worker 

 city council

 main street

- Ajith Dharmakeerthi

Aragala Exhibition - Harrow Art Centre

Aragala Exhibition - Harrow Art Centre

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There was an exhibition at Harrow Arts Center organized by the University of Essex, the University of Newcastle Fund, and some local organizations, including "Agora." The exhibition aimed to showcase paintings created during the "Aragalaya" or "Uprising" that occurred in Sri Lanka in July 2022.

The exhibition served as a commemoration of the event and also provided a platform for discussing what truly transpired during those times. There were allegations of mishandling funds and receiving kickbacks from Western countries, but one thing everyone agrees on is that it occurred out of dire necessity. People have been struggling due to the impact of COVID-19, and the ill-advised decisions made by the Rajapaksa government pushed the Sri Lankan economy to the brink of collapse. While the situation was temporarily averted, the danger still looms due to ongoing wars and other uncertainties on the global stage.

However, the exhibition serves as a reference point and a testament to the freedom of expression earned through the courageous acts of the masses during those tumultuous 'aragalaya' days, depicted through various art forms. It serves as a powerful reminder to the establishment that the true power lies in the hands of the people. No matter how hard they try, the ruling class cannot take that power away from them. In any country, there will always be a time and a space for an anarchic situation like that if the ruling class continues to ignore the issues faced by the masses. They do so at their own peril. This message is conveyed loud and clear.

Here are some of the pieces on display.

1. This "ink on paper" painting is by Professor Chandragupth Thenuwara. Upon close observation, one can discern the presence of chains or barbed wire intertwined with large lotus flower petals. Underneath, as you may have guessed, there is a depiction of suffocating masses. Additionally, there appear to be several "pagodas" on top of the drawing, although I'm uncertain about their significance. It seems that Thenuwara is moving away from his renowned "barrelism" style and delving into the themes of chains or "barbed wirism."

2. "Do Not Burn Art" is a collaborative piece by Eshadi Yaddehiarachchi and Sujith Rathnayake. This artwork carries a strong emotional impact, depicting crows pecking at a living human being. The act of burning art is considered a crime typically associated with fascist ideologies. Similarly, one could argue that burning books or any other objects would have a similar effect. However, art serves as a form of expression and a celebration of human creativity and imagination. We appreciate artworks for their beauty and emotional value, making the act of burning art even more profoundly affecting to our social consciousness.

3. "Do not burn art" theme continues here.  Artist's painting set on fire by the artist. - Sujith Rathnayake

4. "Aragalaya and the Rusted Act No. 2" is a piece by Sujith Rathnayake. It portrays a protester lying on the road, seemingly amidst a crowd of fellow protesters. The protester holds a placard with the words "People's Sovereignty," which encapsulates the essence of the struggle. The artwork raises a thought-provoking question: Do we truly have a choice? It speaks to the yearning for individuals to have the freedom to make their own decisions and exercise their agency within society.

5."Barrier Makers - Victims of the Barriers Themselves" by Sujith Rathnayake is an intriguing and thought-provoking artwork. The artist portrays security forces or law enforcement authorities positioned behind barriers. This single art piece evokes a range of emotions. It becomes apparent that the security personnel behind the barriers are exhausted, possibly hungry, and facing the same difficulties as the masses. The economic downturn affects them as well, with dwindling wages and the responsibility of supporting their families. They, too, experience the scarcity of resources such as fuel and the skyrocketing prices of essential goods. The only difference is that they find themselves on the inside of the barrier. This artwork prompts reflection on the shared human experiences and challenges faced by different individuals within society.

6. "The Tragedy of the Terrorist Mentality" by Sujith Rathnayake sheds light on the lasting impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act enacted in 1979. Despite the passage of many decades, the act still remains in effect. This legislation has opened the door to arbitrary detention and state-sanctioned torture inflicted upon civilians. The artwork serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences resulting from the mindset associated with terrorism, including the erosion of civil liberties and the violation of human rights by the state.

7. "Human in Oppressive Space" by Sujith Rathnayake conveys a powerful expression regarding the human mind. The artwork highlights the detrimental effect of oppressive spaces on the functioning of the human mind. When individuals are subjected to oppressive environments, their ability to think, create, and thrive is severely hindered. The underlying issue arises when an entire society is subjected to such oppressive conditions. In such circumstances, the fabric of law and order within that society becomes increasingly fragile and vulnerable. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder that the existence of oppressive spaces within society ultimately leads to the erosion of social stability and harmony.

8. "Oppression in Isolation" by Sujith Rathnayake presents a unique concept of art within art, or paintings within a painting, illustrating the inner and outer turmoil experienced by the masses. The artwork depicts individuals who are barricaded within the confines of oppressive laws, symbolizing their isolation and the restrictions placed upon them. Simultaneously, the painting also portrays those outside the barricades, who are in a state of even greater turmoil. This juxtaposition emphasizes the pervasive nature of oppression and its impact on both the individuals directly affected and the broader society. The artwork prompts contemplation about the interconnectedness of oppression and its far-reaching consequences.

9. Death of a regime - Muvindu Binoy 

Two issues have come to my mind that I would like to ask the organizers. Firstly, why are the above-mentioned universities conducting research on "Aragalaya"? This may reinforce allegations that Western powers are imposing Aragalaya on the Sri Lankan masses, which I personally do not believe to be true.

Secondly, I have heard that the American embassy in Sri Lanka is purchasing all these artworks. This could also raise suspicions among the public, considering the aforementioned allegation.

- Ajith Dharmakeerthi - 16/07/2023

Chandraguptha Theunwara's Exhibition: delusion

https://www.saskiafernandogallery.com/exhibitions/122-delusion/

DELUSION

23 JULY - 23 AUGUST 2023

Chandraguptha Thenuwara’s memorial exhibition in July, will take place at three locations, marking  40 years since the events of 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom.

Delusion which will open at Saskia Fernando Gallery will present Thenuwara’s annual exhibition of new works in response to the sociopolitical climate in Sri Lanka. The exhibition will continue his inquiry into issues of militarism, religious extremism, conspiracy theories, Sinhala chauvinism, narrow-minded nationalism, anti-western agitation, socialism etc. 

As an extension of this exhibition, the complete sculptural installation Covert will be presented to the public, a part of which was exhibited at the 2022 Venice Biennale, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. Through an infinite vortex of interlocking motifs - lotuses, soldiers, stupas and barrels - constructed out of wire which link and fuse, layer upon layer, like the meanings of the motifs themselves - the artist invites the viewer to reflect on the social and political history of the island.

Heron's automated temple gates

A temple is constructed such that as soon  as a fire is lit on the altar before it, and the sacrifice is made, teh doors of the temple open automatically. And as soon as the fire is quenched, they close again. (heron. Theorem 38, Pneumatics). In this mechanism, Heron exploited the expansion of air heated beneath the altar. The pressure of the air forces a liquid to move from a fixed vessel into a moveable one. After which a system of pulleys and counterwights is activated to pivot the doors of the temple. 

Cherry life

~Cherry life  ~

Cherry comes again,

As usual in the summer,

Year after year in July,

On this small cherry tree.

Only a few pigeons dare to enter,

To taste the fruits,

Guarded by fiercely looking felines,

From this little Enfield neighborhood.

Although they don't know,

These kitties have no idea how to hunt,

For years they've stayed with humans,

Under the socialist kitty food program.

They just sleep, then eat,

And then sleep again,

Under the cherry tree.

So come again, birds,

And have your cherries. ~~~~

-Ajith Dharmakeerthi -03/07/2023

White Butterfly

Just a few days to mate lay her eggs and then die
A minute to her an hour to you and I

She flits through the parkland in the sunlit sky
With brown spots on her fragile wings a white butterfly

Unlike a bird she does not have a song to sing
Yet the wonders of Nature are an amazing thing

A beautiful flying insect in the warm lamp of day
In a few days at the most with Nature she will lay

In only a day she will have reached her life's prime
And a few days to live does not seem much in time

On silent wings she dances in the park in the warm Summer air
To look at so gentle and fragile and fair

In the parkland green and lush after the recent showers
She dances around the blossoming trees and the flowers.

Frqncis Dugan 

 

Rothschild's Waddesdon Manor

                                 

Ines and I went to Waddesdon the other day. It was the 1st of June, and for Ines's birthday, we thought we should visit the place. She had wanted to go there for some time, and I took the day off from work because it was last Thursday. Waddesdon Manor is not far from where we live, about 49 miles (79km) towards Aylesbury via M25.

The Rothschild family originated from the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt, Germany. They became the most powerful banking family of the 19th century. There were five brothers, and their family crest or coat of arms has five arrows.

They established a multinational bank in Europe's financial capitals. Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand (1839-1898), who was born in Paris and raised in Frankfurt and Vienna. His mother was an English Rothschild, and his father was from the Viennese branch of the family. He permanently lived in England since 1860 and married his cousin Evelin. Sadly, she passed away during childbirth in 1866.

Above is their family tree, and the entire family is shown below.

 

He had an unmarried sister, Alice (1847-1922), and he left his estate to her. She came to England after her mother died and was raised by her elder sister Mathilde in Germany. When she moved to England, she acted as a housekeeper to Ferdinand's estate. She formulated "Miss Alice's Rules," which were guidelines for the care and preservation of the collections in the manor. She also owned the adjacent estate of Eythrope.

lice left both her estates to her great-nephew James De Rothschild (1878-1957), who was Mathilde's grandson. He married Dorothy Pinto, who was English. He added his father's art collection to Waddesdon Manor.

What interested me the most was Rothschild's involvement in the creation of the State of Israel.

1. This is the letter from foriegn secretary, Arthur james Balfour to lord Rothchild, 2/11/1917 -sending copy of the Balfour Declaration, a public statement by the British Government to Lord Rothchild announcing their support for the establishement of a "national home for the jewish People" in palestine.

9. Gold coin issued in 2017 to commeroate teh 25th annivarsary of teh supreme court building - the coin has a relief of the Supreme Court building surmounted by a menorah flanked by two olive branches (official symbol of the State Israel) and on the reverse a relief of teh courtroom with arched ceilings. its inscribed with "Excute the judgement of truth and peace in your gate" in Hebrew, arabic and in English around the border

2.Three medals honoring baron Edmond De Rothschild -  medals were presented to Dorothy de Rothchild in 1982 to commemorate the 34th annivarsary of Israeli Independence    

4. Ceremonial Key to the Knesset presented to Dorothy de Rothschild (1895-1988) in 1982 - The knesset is the Israeli parliament buyilding, built in the government quarter in Jerusalem and financed via bequest from james de Rothschild. The building was dedicated on 31st of August 1966 and the new win constructed between 1981 and 1992.

10. First day cover to commemorate the opening of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on 17 September 1992, It was build with the funding by Dorothy de Rothschlild and Yad Hanadiv - Rothschild charitable foundation

3. Two medals honoring Baron Edmond De Rothschild and James de Rothschild (1878-1957) 

5. Proof coin commemorating the knesset and Israel's 17th Annivarsary of Independence

6. Commemorative trowel - Inscribed in Hebrew "With this trowel, mrs Dorothy de Rothschild laid the foundation stone of the Knesset building in Jerusalem".

6. 500 Shekel Note - Issued by the Israely government in 1982 to commemorate the centenary of Baron Edmond's work in Palestine.

8. medal commemorating Baron Edmond and James de Rothschild

One of the most important parts for me was obviously the wine cellar. It consists of a huge underground cellar and tasting rooms.

It also had some old wine bottles signed by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Lady Diana.

The list of signatures is below.

Finally, here are two important art pieces from the collection. These were very detailed artworks. 

And here are some pictures from the Rothschild treasury. The stones are real diamonds.

This is an amazing collection of art, valuable items, and some historically important documents on display. Visit if you can. 

-Ajith Dharmakeerthi  05/06/2023