kathmandu,
kathmandu.
an exhibition by contemporary nepali photographers
organized by
supported by
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‘Kathmandu’ means very different things to different people, depending on whether they have lived in the city or not. The West is still liable to think of Kathmandu as a sort of a mythical Shangri-La. Nepalis from outside the Kathmandu Valley may see it as the land of opportunity, a mecca for those seeking their fortunes.
But what of those who have lived here for years on end, particularly those who have witnessed the tumultuous changes of the last couple of decades? For these, Kathmandu is not just the place to seek your dreams. It is the past, present and future, a multiplicity of forms that incorporates all imaginings.
kathmandu, kathmandu. is an attempt by 20 young photographers to capture this fascinating simultaneity. Guided by mentors from photo.circle (Kathmandu) and Pathshala South Asian Media Academy (Dhaka) the group explored the medium of visual storytelling through photography, and sought to present an insider’s perspective of Kathmandu. In their imagery we see the people who live here, rich and poor and in-between, at work, play, and repose. In their representation of the city, monks read the newspapers, teenagers hang out, children prepare for school, family members interact, and dogs await their masters. We see that Kathmandu is a city of dense habitation and open spaces, the shabby and the spanking new, and that it is still, in pockets, the countryside.
As a body of work produced by a new generation of photographers, kathmandu, kathmandu. is an attempt to capture the visual poetry of the metropolis while challenging the notion that it is simply a mythical space, or just another third world city.
- Rabi Thapa
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photographers
aayusha shrestha is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Fine Art at the Kathmandu University, Center for Arts and Design. Aayusha believes photographs can be a powerful medium that shapes memory.
abhinav joshi completed his Bachelors in Multimedia Studies and plans to pursue a Masters in photography.
anjali maharjan is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Mass Communications and taking as many opportunities as possible to enhance her photography.
anuj acharya has been doing digital photography for one year. "Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long." This quote by Walker Evans is his favorite and inspires his work.
arjun karki has been doing digital photography for two years. Arjun says “When I walk alone I am afraid to talk to strangers, but a camera gives me courage.”
bikram rai is a staff photographer at the Nepali Times and is currently also pursuing a degree in Journalism at Ratna Rajya Campus.
krishna sinjali is based in Jhapa, Eastern Nepal. He works as a freelance journalist with local newspapers and radio stations, and has recently also taken up photography.
phurpu tsering gurung wants to share his perception of the ways of life through his photography. Phurpu has worked as a photographer for Navyata magazine.
prasiit sthapit has been doing photography for four years. For him, the medium is one of self-discovery. Prasiit is also interested in cinematography and has recently shot several music videos for Jindabaad, Astha Tamang Maskey and Kutumba.
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prem tsering sherpa is a 4th year student at the Kathmandu University, Media Studies department.
priti sherchan is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Fine Art at the Kathmandu University, Center for Arts and Design with a major in Graphic Design. Through photography, Priti wants to improve her people skills.
pujan harsha bajracharya is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Commerce at Indira Gandhi National Open University. Pujan was inspired to take up photography when he realized how precious family moments would be documented through the medium.
sachindra rajbansi has been a photography enthusiast for three years. He currently works as a graphic designer.
sajana shrestha has interned as a photojournalist for the Gorkhapatra and Republica dailies, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Gender Studies.
sapna shah is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Fine Art at the Kathmandu University, Center for Arts and Design with a major in Painting. Sapna wants to continue telling stories through photography.
shristi rajbhandari has a Masters degree in Journalism from the UK and has recently transitioned from television to photography.
shrijit rajbhandari is a freelance graphic designer who chose to pursue photography in order to be a more effective visual communicator.
sujan shrestha is a graphic designer and video effects artist. Photography has been a passion for him since childhood, and now he is considering pursuing it professionally.
sunil pradhan is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Fine Art at the Kathmandu University, Center for Arts and Design with a major in Painting. Sunil wants to use photography in conjunction with other visual art forms in his work.
uma bista is a photojournalist at The Himalayan Times daily and is currently also pursuing her Bachelors in Mass Communication.
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