milan-rai

[milan-rai]

Green Spaces - A Love Letter to the City Our city is heavily polluted and there’s no escape from Kathmandu’s choking air. But our government strategy to tackle air pollution has been too weak on all sectors. Relying on the government would be too late. So we started to plant trees on vacant lands as an important part of the solution. Planting more trees especially in urban areas can have a significant impact on pollution levels, rising temperatures while simultaneously offering other benefits, including urban green space for residents, habitat for birds and insects. We are  inviting the city authorities in this process and encouraging them to promote greeneries in urban settings.

It is a project that is fully engaging community participation. Youth groups, sports clubs, elderly members of the community who regularly meet on this piece of land, to share stories and sing bhajans together, have all been consulted in the initial planning process. The tree guards hold stories s stories, poem or environmental quotes dedicated by individuals. 

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                                              CURATING THE CITY  

Curating the city follows interdisciplinary approaches, and goes beyond the bounds of individual disciplines, or targeted elite groups. It is to create art for everyone to enjoy and redefine the boundaries.

Since 2012, I have been extending my art practice in public spaces .However the authorities are simply disinterested and uninformed about the benefits that art can bring into the city. Initially they did not allow me to bring my art works in urban settings.  In response to that, I intervened without their consent, making my work accessible to all.  Much later my travelling experiences in big cities around the world affirmed me that public art policy has an important role in creating social change, equity, and inclusion. It avowed me that everything I do globally must be meaningful locally. As an artist coming from a developing country, I can see a rapid urbanization in Kathmandu comes with pronounced problems, threatening the cultural structures, environment and city aesthetics.

 Recently, I started a project that focuses on transforming neglected public lands into green spaces and edible gardens. I envision them to grow and evolve into a sustainable community asset.   Seeing my dedication to cultivate greeneries in the city, the representative of Lalitpur Metropolitan city invited me for a meeting as they themselves were preparing for tree plantation along the sidewalks.

I suggested them to plant flowering trees on lonely traffic islands and road dividers too. I provided digital drawings and sketches as a strategy to improve the streetscape and biodiversity.  As a pivotal increment to this, I shared my idea of integrating art in public spaces. They said, though we like the idea we lack in funding part because this sorts of things has never been in practice before. If the artist can generate fundings then we can negotiate to achieve this.

I told them if we do not have  resources for public art programs  we can  incorporate  art works on existing urban elements such as  dustbins , poles, tree guards,  walls, bridges and  benches, making the world of ordinary things  more  magical and  welcoming. This will also create a gentle shift in our behavioral change towards public properties. Lalitpur metropolitan city is slowly considering to instigate artistic solutions into new development projects which is upbeat and may gain momentum in our society. It is really important to establish a culture that lets art happen.  

The 1st phase of the tree plantation was done without the participation of community. So they faced difficulties in fostering the connection between public and the city agencies. New partnership models' has to be applied in these processes so that our work is both people- and place-centered. Usually Banks and other business houses fund these kinds of projects mainly to use prominent locations for their advertisements. They are mainly interested in commercial profits rather than the transformation and wellbeing of the society. If they fail to provide future care and maintenance of these spaces, their advertisements will be removed immediately as a penalty. This kind of public place –making contract has to be made beforehand.

It is necessary to take into account the social dynamics and cultural specificities of the area. We can invite local institutes like schools, organizations etc to take this initiation. The idea of local people taking on responsibility for their own parks and maintenance could instill a sense of pride and attachment in the people who live and work in the surrounding area.

While the city authorities   started planting trees at various commercial points stretching from kupondol to Pulchowk. Most of the shopkeepers said, that the trees will grow and   overshadow their billboards. They worried about their business being blocked but greeneries are directly related to the promotion of the local economy plus urban forestation can lower the stress level of city dwellers. Perhaps, we must bring change; on our current mindset.  

As an extension of my project - I am going to hold dozens of convenient, accessible meetings with shopkeeper’s and actively listen to them. Through these observations, I hope to find what kinds of methods are missing and what can be improved.

To make an under-performing space into a lively place, we cannot expect to do everything right initially .It takes vision, discipline and patience to create social change and greater community.

I shift my roles from an artist, designer as facilitators to mediate between diverse members of the community  and  facilitate the recognition of shared values and our common goal  to establish green spaces in denser cities.

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GREEN SPACE - A LOVE LETTER TO THE CITY - It  is both  conservation and activism within the context of art that focuses on transforming the unmanaged lands of the city into  green spaces.

Air pollution has engulfed Kathmandu ranking it as one of the worst polluted city in the world . Though I found a complete disregard for this serious issue by authorities and public. So I felt the call to do something.

Since february 2017, I began appearing in public spaces wearing a gas mask. Using gas mask in daily life is not practical, my intention was to make people realize the threat that we live with. Undoubtedly, it spurred some discourse but soon I  realized that my art has to go beyond dialogues and break open the solutions in policy making and action. Then I took a practical approach to encourage the authorities to address this issue urgently.  

After submitting  a proposal to the mayor and reached out to environmental divisions and encouraged them to look at the policy of land use and our attitude towards environment.  Finally I got consent to revive unmanaged land but there was  no budget allocated for this . So  I teamed up with a group of activists and organizations and raised funds  for this  project. We have already made numbers of tree guards needed for the 1st phase of plantation.  We are implanting the 1st phase of our tree plantation in Boudha area in coordination with ward no 6 representatives and communities. Usually Banks, corporate houses fund these tree guards and use them  for self-promotions. When I  approached banks I  got  dissapointed by self -intrest . They asked wheather  the land is centrally located for their ads to be visible .  I  decided   not to seek any fundings from them and thought of  alternative ways to  humanize the public spaces.  

We designed a tree guard which is functional yet contemporary in style  and asked people to send their stories, personal experiences, poetry or dedications to their loved or lost ones. Whoever  funds the tree guard will have their   stories integrated as an art piece. Thus, the ground becomes an open art museum of stories integrated in an artistic arrangement of tree guard’s.

The juxtaposition of the performance of the tree on geological time vs the relative short life span of human is embodied in this Installation.

We have a vision to take our city back to its pristine form one green park at a time and we have  have already  identified multiple lands to be turned into green spaces. For this purpose   we are engaging communities to invest, contribute and collaborate so that these spaces are conserved and a sense of ownership prevails among all making it favorable for all inhabitants.

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On May 23rd 2018   I met with the Mayor of Kathmandu and submitted a proposal to plant more trees and promote greeneries that's grappling with severe air pollution. While trying to meet and discuss with the authorities regarding the issue, I felt neglcted and discourages  on various instances but then I knew I should not feel low at this time which really motivated me.   After consistent effort the Joint secretary and the director of Kathmandu showed interest and they invited me - to discuss on this matter.  Then I  reached out to the representatives  of KMC Environment protection division and encouraged them to co-ordinate and act on this urgent issue.  

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At first, I went to Kathmandu Metropolitan city to inquire about the possibilities of transforming the unmanaged land of Tinkune (a triangular landscape) into a park. I spent several weeks conducting meetings with the representatives regarding this topic.

I was aware of the unsettled issues regarding that land. Though, I tried to find simple ways to create green spaces by planting trees only in those areas that been obtained by the government without interfering in  public properties  as the environmental degradation problem is big and we need to act urgently.  I held a concluding meeting with the members of wards no 32. They said we cannot support this until and unless the public gets full compensation from the government. According to authorities many have received the compensation who previously owned that land and there are still some unattended cases. So they were totally against the idea of giving away that land for the purpose of tree plantation.  After a month long effort , I felt  quiet disappointed but I did not quit.I went out to look spaces in other areas and happen to meet with the chairperson of Ward no 6 Boudha.  He showed the empty lands in this area that could be turned into green spaces.  After all the co-ordination with the authorities number of lands has been identified in Boudha area . Now we are taking necessary steps to revive those barren lands.

#environment #socialartpractice #trees #airpollution  #greenspace #artivism

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White Butterflies Installation on Red Buses of London, This project was made possible in co-operation with Abellio Company of London at the bus depot in Hedge.

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White Butterflies Installation at the Royal Festical hall in Southbank center , London 

#alchemy #whitebutterflies #installation #london #globalartproject 

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GAS MASK : A Performance art to address the air pollution of Kathmandu. It is extremely difficult to breathe in this city due to worsening pollution caused by unmanaged road widening and lying of water pipelines. We all are inhaling poisonous dust particles mixed with smog’s released by old - unchecked vehicles.

This alarming situation is moving fast and if it continues like this without any necessary measures, Majority of the population will have chronic respiratory diseases over the period of time.It is the people that make the city vibrant and lively. If the community becomes unhealthy the society cannot progress forward. The government and public have to be committed to create a robust community,living in a healthier and cleaner city. Furthermore rampant burning of plastic wastes and carbonmonoxide emitted by old vehicles is worsening the atmosphere of Kathmandu. If the government has the will to improve air quality they can do by banning outdated vehicles immediately. But transport syndicates are freely controlling the road as their possession. And the government’s effort to remove old vehicles off the streets has been repeatedly failed . It is evident that those political figures are receiving fat money from this sector masked as political donations. If you are highly exposed to dust particles and poisoning smogs it can kill you.

Photos : Kailash Sam'ang Rai

[milan-rai]

GAS MASK : Art Performance 

It’s difficult  to breathe in kathmandu due to extreme levels of pollution caused by the unmanaged road expansions and laying of pipelines for the Melamchi Water Projecti. You will see clouds of dust in the valley and the exhaust fumes from unchecked vehicles have intensified the air pollution. Cloth masks commonly used by the general public are useless against pollution. Therefore I am wearing a gas mask which is used to protect oneself from poisonous elements. I am also carrying a broom which symbolizes the air Element and is used to sweep out negative energy. We have to become more socially and consciously aware of how the health and the environment of the city has largely been disregarded by authorities and individuals. We all know that we are breathing in harmful carbon monoxide emitted by old vehicles, The thick dust makes us difficult to navigate the city. Beside these visible pollutions there are other levels of political pollution. Hence I am using a Gas Mask to filter invisible political pollutions that is seriously affecting the health and wellness of citizens. I will be doing this more and you can interpret in many ways. Photographer  : Kailash Sam'ang Rai Videographers : Anmol & Prassna from Onion films Additional photogrpaher & blogger Sanjay Kafle from Nepal Travels Tale

[milan-rai]

Nepalese artist Milan Rai uses white butterflies to honour dead Gurkha soldiers

http://www.scmp.com/video/hong-kong/2059206/nepalese-artist-milan-rai-uses-white-butterflies-honour-dead-gurkha-soldiers

[milan-rai]

THE  VOICE OF AN ARTIST 

A group of doctors from private medical sector took the street and littered the main road with placards and water bottles after the rally. I saw motorists and pedestrians trampling on the waste generated by demonstrators. This compelled me to act. I wanted to collect the litter and amass it and lie down in a public space using the performance art to rekindle simple awareness

On 28th july Thursday morning I, started collecting the trash at 5 am  but I was not able to execute my whole performance because the, waste pickers and sweepers arrived by 6 am and took away the pile of garbage

IN this era shaped by the social media where negativity goes viral in seconds, this act became a positive reaching out to millions of people across the nation with over 60,000 shares. I think Artist job is not only to make strange creations and beautiful paintings but to engage the society in such a way that it can inspire all to become agents of social progress.

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Event hosted by the Augusta Arts Council 

Dear Milan, the Augusta Arts Council was inspired by your story and decided to promote the idea of White Butterflies to spread hope and peace in our community. We discovered a template for the white butterflies on the Internet and made copies for anyone who wanted them. We were able to collect several hundred butterflies. Many artists and children participated in the event and chose to adorn the white butterflies Thank you for inspiring others to help raise awareness and make our world a better place to live. We are based in Augusta, Kansas, United States of America. We have so much love in our wonderful community Perhaps you could come for a visit someday. We would love to have you as our special guest! I am an art teacher at a school in Augusta, Kansas. I love sharing the joy of art and kindness with my students. Johnna Smith

[milan-rai]

HIGHLIGHT OF MY VISIT TO MIT 

Meeting with Noam Chomsky 

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MEETING WITH HARVARD ALUMNI GROUP OF NEPAL & US AMBASSADOR TO NEPAL

Attended the Harvard Alumni Group of Nepal monthly meeting in Kathmandu.The meeting featured a talk by HE Alaina B. Teplitz, US ambassador to Nepal, on US-Nepal relations.

Ambassador Teplitz talked about Nepal’s new constitution and the country’s challenges in implementing it. She said the US would like to see Nepal a stable and prosperous country. In the next session I shared my Harvard experience with the group.

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White Butterflies arrives at Harvard 

White butterflies installation at the Center for Government and International studies - Harvard University. 

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SPREADING WHITE BUTTERFLIES ACROSS HARVARD

White Butterflies with the students and Professor of Harvard Divinity school

Meeting with the Harvard Divinity students was a wonderful meditation in action. Empathic and compassionate conversation erupted when they requested for white butterflies to be delivered to their communities back home. After my talk session, students decided to do an art installation of white butterflies in their department. .

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CLASS VISITS AND LECTURE AT HARVARD 

Artist Talk :On chair  Professor Jinah Kim . Art, Design, and Learning in Public Spaces,’ taught by Professor Steven Seidel .

I visited a Class of Prof. Steven Seidel as a guest Artist at the Larsen Hall, 214 Harvard University. I was mind blown to hear the new ideas of these creative practitioners who study and experiment with the potential for engaged citizenship, lifelong learning, and social change through their work, drawing attention to the types and qualities of learning that can take place when interacting with art in public settings. 

I also had the opportunity to meet with other arts professionals.