As part of a year-long programme marking the 70th anniversary of Indian independence and the cultural relationship with the UK, Kinetika created Silk River, an ambitious project which explored the unique relationship between London and Kolkata through artistic exchange between communities along the Thames Estuary and India’s Hooghly River.
Ali Pretty, Kinetika’s Artistic Director, collaborated with associate artistic directors Ruchira Das (Think Arts, India) and Korak Ghosh as well as an international team of artists, writers and photographers to capture and interpret the experience of journeying along these two mighty rivers.
Working in 20 locations from Murshidabad to Batanagar (Hooghly) and Kew Gardens to Southend (Thames) we gathered, shared and retold stories of these riparian communities through 20 hand-painted Murshidabad silk scrolls
Silk River culminated in two performative walks –
Along the Thames between 15th – 24th September and
along the Hooghly between December 6th – 16th, 2017.
Silk River was part of Totally Thames that ran from 1-30 September, 2017
“Silk River involves organisations in UK and West Bengal who work in heritage, culture, craft, tourism and education. We are delighted that this exciting project is part of the UK India Year of Culture, which seeks to showcase innovative and creative work from both countries, building deeper connections between communities.”
Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council East and Northeast India
Explore Silk River through the art, images and
reflections of the people that made it possible.
April & May: Design workshops
June 5th – 18th: Textile residency in Kinetika studios
September 15th – 24th: Thames Walks
15th Oct – Diwali, Trafalgar Square
22-27th Oct Kew Exhibition
16th Nov – Exhibition, workshop & reprise performance of Tower Hamlets walk ‘from Street to Stage’
January 7th – 21st: Textile residency in Murshidabad
January 28th & 29th: Murshidabad Heritage Festival, presentation of scrolls
December 6th -16th: Indian Walks
19-31st Dec: Exhibition of scrolls at Victoria Memorial Hall
