As the four-month long journey of Longitude Latitude 6 (LL6) hits its last month, there are grand stories brewing in the space that has become extremely popular among many in Dhaka.
This past week featured an excellent array of music, art, writing and photography.
Most notably, there was a “Raga Tasting” event held last evening, where JOG, a newly formed group of young musicians working for the cause of serious music, conducted a demonstration-style interactive session on listenership, in anticipation of the many musical events that engulf Dhaka in the winter.
Today, the week draws to an end with “The Jungle Stories”, hosted by the iCan Foundation which works with survivors of child abuse.
“The Jungle Stories”, an interactive activity with puppets, will Koko Jungli, the monkey, Raja, then Shundorban tiger, and Rocky, the world traveler and magician parrot from the Amazon.
Arif Asgar, Magician and ventriloquist, will be leading the session with three puppets, starting from 11am.
“Although there is storytelling involved, the main aspect is for puppets to interact with the children,” Arif told the Dhaka Tribune.
“They seem real because they talk,” he said, explaining that the age-range of participants is 4-10years old.
Arif says he chose to focus on jungles because of his love for animals.
Arif’s stories will not be limited to mere entertainment, but will include fun informative facts such as the science of flying, and what can be found in the Amazon.
Arif, despite being in the field for 10 years, is excited about today’s workshop since this is the first time with the jungle theme as well as three puppets.
“This is a new structure and I hope after the first show, it’ll grow. My main aim is for children to be introduced to the animal kingdom,” he said.
While this session will take children on a journey away from the concrete madness of Dhaka, artist Naeem Mohaimen’s ongoing exhibition, which began on Sunday, will be taking its viewers on a nostalgic ride to the past.
“Our intent is not to sink into melancholia alone,” says Naeem of his exhibition featuring photos found of his family elders, aptly named “Baksho Rohoshyo: (Chobi, Tumi Kar?)” (The mystery of the box: (Where do photographs belong?).
“These photos are our archaeological record, and a key to untangling our present,” says Naeem. “This country is capitalism with the seat-belts off, driven by a lust to emulate Asian "miracles." My father's photographs hint at other possibilities, other lives. This Rankin Street was once our possible future.”
Naeem’s exhibition will end tomorrow, as the iCan Foundation will kick off its weeklong “iCan Heal” programme in partnership with LL6. This will be a series of activities with the focus on “healing”, and have been designed for people from all age groups.
This is part of a four-month long event LL6 which has been featuring artworks of different genres since July, with the core philosophy: "any space is a good space to interact with art." It is curated by Shehzad Chowdhury, who, with his team, has been organising the series since 2003. It is open everyday from 2pm – 9pm. For further information, visit their page: www.facebook.com/LaitudeLongitude6.