Serendipity at the Mona Bismarck Foundation
The Mona Bismarck Foundation is currently holding an exposition of photographs of Sri Lanka by Kim Powell. Entitled “Serendipity,” this exclusive, one-woman exhibit features images of the country and its people that Powell recorded during a four-day excursion there in 2007. Recently, I was privileged to attend a private showing of this exhibit, during which Powell personally guided visitors through each of the four rooms where her photos are displayed. Movement and color are the overriding themes of the exhibit. The lighting is inspired—particularly in the second room, where photos are suspended from the ceiling, and in the third room, where a single photo of a statue of Buddha is sheltered under an artificial tree.
The photos in these two rooms are printed on transparent fabric, so that one sees a mirror image of the subject behind each picture. The power of the portraits of everyday Sri Lankans in the second room is enhanced by this effect. The image of Buddha is flattened by this presentation, so that it appears to be a painting rather than a sculpture. The rooms were dimly lit so that one could focus solely on the photos, each of which is carefully illuminated. A sense of peacefulness, of tranquility, is palpable here, leading one to imagine being transported to Sri Lanka.
A particularly commanding image is entitled New Life. It shows a man’s hand, encrusted with sand, holding an egg from which a baby turtle is emerging. This man owned a turtle hatchery that was devastated in the tsunami of 2004. Of his family, he is the sole survivor of that natural disaster. For Powell, this photograph represents hope.
Another powerful image is that of a bird that found shade in the shadow of the hand of the enormous, gilded Buddha at a temple in Dambulla. The contrast in proportions between the bird and the Buddha might be considered a visual metaphor for humankind’s place in the universe. The scene was ephemeral—Powell took one shot, turned away, and turned back to find that the bird had flown away.
This exhibit is aptly named “Serendipity” for many reasons. First and foremost, the name expresses the fortuitous opportunity that Powell had to travel to Sri Lanka for a photographic assignment on behalf of the Mona Bismarck Foundation in 2007. But once she arrived, she unexpectedly experienced a feeling of returning home, even though she had never traveled to this part of the world before. She was able to talk freely with several of the natives, including a young Buddhist monk whose portrait figures among the photos displayed in the exhibit. A photo that features Powell standing with several novice monks (not part of the exhibit) provides a startling example of how she physically resembles the people of Sri Lanka—at first glance, one could easily mistake her for one of them because of her closely cropped hair and similar skin coloring. Her discovery of Buddhist temples and the customs practiced by the faithful reinforced her sense of serenity.
The 4,000 images that Powell captured during that trip were taken for her personal enjoyment, but through beneficial, chance occurrences (serendipity), she has been able to transform several of them into the Foundation exhibit that 70 – 100 persons enjoy every day.
With this in mind, the visitor to the exposition will understand how Powell was able to capture the essence of Sri Lanka on her ever-so-brief tour. She used her still camera as though it were a video camera, recording successive moments as they unfolded as opposed to consciously framing shots for a preconceived purpose. The result is a beautiful photographic tribute to this south Asian nation.
Serendipity – Photographs by Kim Powell
Until January 12, 2009
Mona Bismarck Foundation
34, avenue de New York
75116 Paris
Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM (closed holidays)
Telephone: 33 (0)1 47 23 38 88 / Fax: 33 (0)1 40 70 02 99
Metro: Alma Marceau, Trocadéro
Free to the public
Send e-mail to Kim Powell at: kimagerie@mac.com
Monique Y. Wells is a co-founder of Discover Paris!, a travel planning service. Our book, Paris Insights – An Anthology is an informative compilation of sights, sounds and good advice about enjoying the City of Light from an insider's perspective. Click here to order.
Sri Lanka - 2 weeks for the price of 1
