Galleria CUC presents Photo Workshop with Om Yadav – a special photography lesson for intermediate and advanced students. Enroll now to step up to a higher level of photography expertise, learn how to develop your photographic skills to professional level, learn portfolio making and gain in-depth knowledge of building an impressive photography resume.

The photo workshop will be facilitated by photographer Mr. Om Yadav and mentored by Mr. Hari Bangsha Kirant. The workshop will take place at Galleria CUC from 8 am to 10 am on Saturdays and Sundays of February 2012.

During the course, students will learn advanced methods of visual storytelling, weaving photos into story and writing text/captions for the photos. Students will also learn skills of identifying stories and methods composing them into photographs.

Applicants are expected to possess the necessary knowledge about handling camera and composing photographs. Any previous workshops or trainings obtained will be a plus point.

At the end of the workshop, the works of participants will be exhibited as Galleria CUC photo exhibition series, “Cycle 8“. Every participant will also receive a course-completion certificate and will get chance to work as photographers in CUC (Chomolungma UNESCO Centre)’s upcoming projects.

Application deadline: 25 January 2012
Workshop dates: Weekends (Sat & Sun) of February 2012
Exhibition date: mid-March 2012
Application fee: Rs. 2000 (non-refundable)
Student limit: 12 (based upon evaluation)

Please download and complete the application form, make the necessary bank payment and submit the application online by emailing it to our address cucunesco@gmail.com. Please make sure you attach the following documents along with the application:

• A completed application form (download here)
• At least five samples of your photographic works
• Proof of Payment of the application fee. Payment should be deposited in bank and a scan or photograph of the Bank Deposit Slip should be attached in the email. In order to make the bank payment, contact us to obtain the Bank name and Account number.

Only selected applicants will be invited to the workshop. Names of selected participants will be published in our website and Facebook page. For further information and registration, please write to cucunesco@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page facebook.com/galleriacuc

Chief Guest Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit and photographer Sunil Shrestha

Chomolungma UNESCO Centre organized the seventh photo exhibition today at Galleria CUC today, titled “Cycle 7: Identity” series, featuring the works of three very talented photographers Arjun Karki, Astha Shrestha and Sunil Shrestha. Each of the three photographers explored unique dimensions of human identity, where Arjun presented the story of a young man who tattooed his identity, Astha presented a set of nine self portraits as her “Navarasa” series, whereas Sunil explored the hidden identities of dirty feet.

Renowned journalist, founder and publisher of Himal Magazines, Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit inaugurated the photo exhibition. Mr. Dixit said he was thrilled to look at the energy among the youth who had pulled off the photos so wonderfully and congratulated the three photographers for showing the audience their unique perspective of tackling human identity. He said it was absolutely wonderful so see how young photographers had been working so hard to pursue their passion, and the quality of work they exhibited.

More photos from the event is available on our Facebook Page [link here]. You can also visit the Cycle 7: Identity on Galleria CUC’s page [here].

• Navarasa - Astha Shrestha

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cycle7_navras_astha.jpg

• Ink'd - Arjun Karki

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cycle7_inkd_arjun.jpg

• The Tales of Dirty Feet - Sunil Shrestha

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cycle7_feet_sunil.jpg

Galleria CUC invites you to yet another Cycle of exhibition of photographs taken by young and talented Nepali Photographers. Keeping the tradition of exhibiting high quality photographs, we are extremely please to present you with three photo stories this time, each dealing with a unique aspect of human identity.

Navarasa, a collection of self-portraits of Astha Shrestha explores the nine rasas, where each photo has tried to explore each of the Shringar, Hasya, Raudra, Karuna, Bibhatsa, Bhayanak, Shanta, Veer and Adhbhut rasas.

Ink’d is a reflection of the pop culture of applying tattoos, catching up like a fad among urban youth and has been documented by Arjun Karki. This photo story, narrated completely in black and white, tells the story of Pawan Kazi, a young man from Kathmandu who has his own reasons of altering the identity of a tattoo he already has.

The Tales of Dirty Feet is an exploration of the human feet, each at different stages of life. Sunil Shrestha, set out to collect a set of unique human feet, and as a result came up with seven such feet where every feet has a different story to tell.

Cycle 7: Identity opens on the 6th of January 2012 at Galleria CUC in Momomagic, Maharajgunj.

Details about the exhibition can be found in the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/events/150572798384560/

• Yellow Collared Keelback

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Yellow-Collared-Keelback.jpg

• The Royal Bengal Tiger

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-Royal-Bengal-Tiger.jpg

• Oriental Garden Lizard

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Oriental-Garden-Lizard.jpg

• Little Egret

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Little-Egret.jpg

• Cucumber Beetle

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Cucumber-Beetle.jpg

Chomolungma UNESCO Centre (CUC), a non-profit organization celebrated World Photography Day today by organizing a photography exhibition titled “Cycle 6: Life” at CUC’s gallery in Momomagic Restaurant, Maharajgunj.

The exhibition featured wildlife and nature photographs by photographer Om Yadav. The celebration also marked the third anniversary of CUC’s gallery in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. The photographs exhibited in the exhibition featured various birds, insects, reptiles and mammals found in Nepal and was themed around the contribution of each species in the ecosystem and sustenance of life in the planet.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Dhurba Raj Regmi, Secretary of Nepal National Commission for UNESCO. Mr. Regmi, in his inaugural speech mentioned the importance of promoting local photography talent and exposing them to international arena. Mr. Regmi also stressed on motivating and encouraging young talents, by organizing photography and art exhibition of such kinds more frequently.

More details on the Facebook Event Page https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217678664951450

The exhibition will be on till 30 September 2011.

Minister Prasai inaugurating the exhibition

Chomolungma UNESCO Centre (CUC) organized photography art exhibition titled “Hue/Saturation” – featuring the works of Dutch photographer Sunanda Chandry Koning in Kathmandu from the 16th July 2011. The photographic works of Ms. Koning depicted the colourful socio-cultural life of Nepal as seen through her eyes. The photo exhibition was themed around transition of colours, and reflection of diversity and variations in Nepali life through a set of 350 images arranged in accordance of hues and colour tones.

Honourable Minister Khagendra Prasad Prasai, Minister for Federal Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Constituent Assembly and Culture inaugurated the exhibition on Saturday, 16 July. Mr. Prasai emphasized on interexchange of cultural and social values through artistic works such as photography, and promotion of rich Nepalese culture in countries like The Netherlands. The inauguration event took place amidst selected invitees, ranging from UNESCO activists, officials, media persons to Nepali film stars.

The photo exhibition was open to public from the 17th July. Many of the visitors were very impressed by the layout of the photographs and said they had never seen anything of such grandiose and scale before. The photographs were installed on the wall, which spread across some 1600 square feet. The visitors were thrilled by the composition of mosaic. Some said that this reflected the post-modernism in photography, while the others said the individual images were clear reflection of the Nepalese society and values.

Kantipur Daily, on their review wrote that “the selection of colours were fantastic and it looked like as if the whole country had been summarized on the walls.” The photo exhibition has now been covered by mostly all major national dailies. The photo exhibition was also covered in Republica Daily, where the photos were published as 2-page spread, a day before the exhibition was inaugurated.

The exhibition will be concluded on the 23rd July 2011, where the volunteers will be awarded with certificates and Ms. Koning will present a short lecture on her experience with her solo photo exhibition.

Media Coverage of the exhibition

http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Colours+of+Nepali+life+&NewsID=295769
http://www.ekantipur.com/np/2068/4/2/full-story/332677.html
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263483_10150246154451721_546436720_7625436_6084612_n.jpg

Team CUC who made the event possible

An overview of the exhibition, Photo: Ankur Sharma

While preparing for the exhibition

Actor Subash Thapa and director Alok Nembang with Ms. Koning

Also see the time lapse video of the making of Hue/Saturation photo exhibition on vimeo:

• Sunanda Yellow

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Yellow.jpg

• Sunanda Red

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Red.jpg

• Sunanda Orange

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Orange.jpg

• Sunanda Lime Green

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Lime-Green.jpg

• Sunanda Green

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Green.jpg

• Sunanda Brown

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Brown.jpg

• Sunanda Blue

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sunanda-Blue.jpg

We are used to colours. We don’t question it, as it is always there – but only in the way we know it, the way we are used to seeing it. Different places do not only have different atmospheres, people, habits and cultures. Colour is an indispensable factor.

Dutch summers mean blue skies and green fields. Winters are grey. The dark skies put a blanket of gloomy light over cities and towns, and in the countryside the clay of the empty fields only adds to the lack of colour in the landscape.

In Nepal, colour is everywhere. So much colour in fact, that sometimes you don’t see their brightness anymore. Unless you stand still for a second and start taking it all in again, focus on details and see their warmth, focus on an overall hue or tone hanging in the air and sense its depth.

A bright pink dress will make you be the centre of attention in the Netherlands. In Nepal, about every 5 minutes you’ll see a girl passing by in a pink kurta. In Amsterdam, you need to ask for permission from the municipality if you want to paint your house, and are guaranteed a refusal if your proposed colour is a bright blue. In Kathmandu, no wall, door, gate or room is complete without a bright tone, and bright blues, pinks, greens, reds and lilacs are everywhere. It seems like nothing is ever bright enough.

There is so much colour here that we tend to forget or overlook it, the way we always tend to take everything we have for granted and only ever notice what we’ve lost. Even though many things in Nepal need improvement and change, the country has such wealth in colour and beauty that it really deserves more attention. There is a certain beauty in almost everything. Even things that at first sight seem ugly, undesirable or unwanted; a weathered face, a crooked house, a pile of trash even.

By not taking any political or moral standpoint, but rather by presenting a view of Nepal in a wave of tones, Hue/Saturation shows (at a distance) the rainbow of beauty the country has to offer, and (close up) the details of various aspects of daily life and everyday things that we tend to overlook too easily.

Nepal Art Council Gallery, Babarmahal
17-23 July 2011
11am to 5pm

Mr. Kirant was interviewed by Sumina Subba, who questioned Mr. Kirant how CUC can change the traditional mindset of the people to which Mr. Kirant replied by stating:

“…Every person who joins CUC realizes that there is more to life. it creates a place where they can feel free to speak which they cannot do in their schools or their homes. When one is free to share, then we can grow, so I think CUC is successful in changing the thoughts of people….”

For full interview, do grab Issue 73 (29 June 2011) of ECS Friday from a near bookstore!

Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Mr. Bairagi Kaila, Chief Guest, reciting his poem.

CUC organised a poetry recital programme in 20 various languages spoken in Nepal on Sunday, 20 March 2011 – Momomagic Pulchowk, to mark the World Poetry Day.

Featuring poets Abhi Subedi, Amarendra Yadav, Ang Kaji Sherpa, Apsara Lawoti, Arjun Khaling, Babu Lal Sangten, Bairagi Kainla, Basanta Maharjan, Bhupal Rai, Bir Bahadur Tamang, Chandra Bir Tungbapo, D.B. Gurung, Dharmendra Jha, Dhirendra Premarshi, Dhirendra Rumdali, Digvijaya Mishra, Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, Gaurav Subba, Gopal Thakur, Khuksan Khambu Thulung, Krishna Raj Sarvahari, Maulana Baser Saheb, Neela Tulachan, Padam Bantawa, Prem Subba, Pushpa Raj Acharya, Rajan Mukarung, Rajesh Chamling, Roop Kesari, Roopa Jha, Shrawan Mukarung, Shrijana Gole, Swargiya Swapnil Smriti, Tara Mani Rai, Tilak Chamling and Ujjwala Maharjan.

Poems will be rectied in Abadhi, Bahing, Bantawa, Bhojpuri, Chamling, English, Gurung, Khaling, Koyu, Limbu, Maithili, Nepal Bhasa, Nepali, Sherpa, Tamang, Tharu, Thulung, Tibetan and Urdu languages.

Organised by Chomolungma UNESCO Centre. Supported by Nepal National Commission for UNESCO, Nepal Airlines and Momomagic.

• Sneha Shrestha- Sky

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sneha-Shrestha-Sky.jpg

• Shikhar Bhattarai - Water

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Shikhar-Bhattarai-Water.jpg

• Prajwal Bhattarai - Metal

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Prajwal-Bhattarai-Metal.jpg

• Nikhil Gurung - Earth

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Nikhil-Gurung-Earth.jpg

• Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka - Fire

   

  http://cucweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Gaurav-Dhwaj-Khadka-Fire.jpg

Galleria CUC presents Cycle 5: Elements :a unique photo exhibition featuring the works for five photographers based on the five elements Sky, Metal, Earth, Water and Fire. The photographs will portray the artistic depictions of the five elements to mark the fifth Cycle of Galleria CUC.

The photographers featured in Cycle 5 are Sneha Shrestha, Prajwal Bhattarai, Nikhil Gurung, Shikhar Bhattarai and Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka.

Chomolungma UNESCO Centre organized the release ceremony of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal Wall Calendar 2011 hosted at Galleria CUC, Momomagic Pulchowk, Lalitpur. The ceremony took place on Sunday, 9 January 2011 at 2 pm.

Mr. Sushil Pandey, Deputy Secretary General of Nepal National Commission for UNESCO inaugurated the ceremony.

The calendar was published by Chomolungma UNESCO Centre and the photographs curated by Galleria CUC. The photographers featured in the calendar were Vibek Raj Maurya, Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka, Md. Fadil, Prazwol Sijapati, Swapnil Acharya, Prajwal Bhattarai, Om Yadav, Sumeet Shakya, Shikhar Bhattarai, Sagar Chitrakar, Kushal Goyal and Nikhil Gurung.

The sponsors who supported the making of the calendar were Mountain Helicopters, Foto Hollywood, Kailash Himalaya Trek, Nepal Republic Media, Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours, Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN), Nepal Airlines Corporation, Nepa Hima Trade Link (Authorised distributors of SONY), Kanchangangha Tea Estate, Yeti Airlines, and Himalayan General Insurance Company.