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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Puducherry artist creates a montage of figures and forms
PUDUCHERRY Elements of Pablo Picasso's Cubism style and imagery from prehistoric rock art in the region create a montage of figures and forms in the works of artist C. Mounissamy. The city-based artist's solo contemporary rock show at the Alliance Francaise showcases a series of pen drawings inspired by Picasso's geometrical deconstruction of reality and acrylic works that are based on prehistoric cave paintings. The images of bulls and birds, deer and elephants, horse and sheep animate the canvas of the artist who has exhibited about 60 works at the expo. The era recreated in these works seems to correspond to a pre-neolithic age preceding the shift from hunter-gatherer sustenance to a more settled agriculture-based life. Images of women subjects wearing necklace sets and ear-rings or the recurring motif of a large fish in the firm clasp of women-figures has a visiting group of students earnestly quiz the artist about their significance. Mounissamy says that the fish motif in multiple paintings is his way of paying a tribute to fisherwomen in a coastal belt in the city whose task it is to make a decent profit off the husband's catch. The artist has also depicted masked figures in some works, most strikingly in a montage that he says, portrays a range of human emotions. The artist has spent vast amounts of time studying the rock art of Kilvalai site in nearby Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. The Kilvalai rock art is estimated to be from the pre-megalithic era, dating back to 3,000 BC. The artist hopes to rekindle interest in this magnificent aspect of civilisational heritage and that authorites take steps to preserve these forms for posterity. In fact, he desires protection for all flora and fauna forms of life. The expo, which was launched by former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy in the presence of prominent artists from the region, will conclude on Monday.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Over 200 children attend film fete
The Pondicherry Science Forum (PSF), in association with Alliance Francaise, organised a two-day children's film festival. According to the PSF, the free-entry festival was open to children in the 13-18 age segment. The screenings were held at the auditorium of Alliance Francaise. About 30 films were shown at the festival to participants who came from across the city. Over 200 children participated in the event over the weekend, organisers said. The selection of films in various languages such as Tamil, English, French, and Hindi, showcased diverse genres, including animation films, short films, and documentaries. The festival was launched by A. Muthamma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary in the presence of Mohammed Ahsan Abid, Culture Secretary, Nallam Satish, Alliance Francaise president, Murugavel Raja, R. Madivanane and A. Hemavathi of PSF. The festival opening was followed by the screening of 'Anaar Daana' (Sour Candy) Interactive sessions were held after each screening, organisers said.
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Arts Picks: Ocean dive, Tang Da Wu, Altenburg Arts new season
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Ocean: Diving Into The Unknown is at Alliance Francaise de Singapour. Ocean: Diving Into The Unknown The race to space during the Cold War is well established in popular consciousness, but less familiar is the competition into the deep. In 1960, oceanographers Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh reached the then deepest-known part of the oceans aboard the vessel Trieste, setting a new record at 10,916m below sea level. Since then, humanity has inched a mere 11m farther. Visitors can discover this pioneer achievement and others at Alliance Francaise's second-floor gallery exhibition, Ocean: Diving Into The Unknown. Alliance Francaise de Singapour cultural manager Mathieu Gomez says: 'There was a race to both ends. It was thanks to this early dive that institutions could develop autonomous prototypes that can be guided remotely and specifically.' A collaboration between the French organisation and the Paris National Museum of Natural History, the small-scale exhibition seeks to revive the allure through the lens of myth-making. Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea is an early science-fiction classic, and a manatee model reminds visitors that these were the prototype mermaids. Dappled blue lights submerge the rooms. Two virtual-reality sets, when worn, transport visitors into real footages of deep sea excursions, anemones wriggling underfoot. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Man to be charged after he allegedly damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption The 130 sq m space means artefacts are few, though two shark jaws on loan from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum intimidate, chosen as their species were discovered by Frenchmen. Gallery assistant Claire Canceil busts the myth of the anglerfish: 'One thing Finding Nemo got wrong was that females measure just 20cm and males 3cm. It unnecessarily traumatised generations of kids.' Where: Level 2 Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Till Aug 30; Tuesdays to Fridays, 1 to 7.30pm; Saturdays, 9am to 5.30pm; guided tour timings, film screenings and talks on website Admission: Free Info: Who Care? 1&2, You & Me Performance artist Tang Da Wu rehearsing for his show. PHOTO: COMMA SPACE Performance art rock star Tang Da Wu has a new solo exhibition at independent art gallery Comma Space in Bishan. The 82-year-old continues his preoccupation with mud and his penchant for the ephemeral gesture. Details of his exhibition are scant, though in the lead-up to the weekend, he was building a ladder in preparation for a site-specific presentation. Paper and plaster are used to fashion boots and sacks that he heaves onto his back. He is expected to fling mud directly onto the gallery walls, as when he live-painted a snake constricting a boat at ShanghART Gallery in 2023. One of Tang's recent outings was during Singapore Art Week 2024 at Gillman Barracks. The pioneer artist directed 20 young volunteers to enact a performance involving woven threads and fighting over parental milk, inspired by the Teochew opera image of a goat kneeling before its mother. This time, he focuses on the issues of what it means to care and, more fundamentally, who the people who care are. He remains driven by the ethos of 'Don't make art, make questions' – insisting that art returns to its primary function not as wall decoration, but a force for reflection. Where: Comma Space, 04-02, 51 Jalan Pemimpin MRT: Marymount When: July 5 to 12; July 5, 6 and 12, 1 to 6pm; July 8 to 11, by appointment only; July 5, 3 to 4pm (performance) Admission: Free Info: , RSVP Altenburg Arts New Season American pianist Kit Armstrong. PHOTO: JEAN-FRANCOIS MOUSSEAU Independent classical music presenter Altenburg Arts has launched the first half of its 2025-2026 season, with five piano recitals by international artists spread across the next six months. On July 6, American pianist Kit Armstrong takes to Victoria Concert Hall to play the lyrical dance music of French composer Camille Saint-Saens. The immersive large-scale concertos have been distilled into miniature gems by the protege of Austrian pianist and poet Alfred Brendel. This whirlwind tour will kick off with the fiendish Danse Macabre. The other pianists scheduled are Russian Zlata Chochieva, Briton Benjamin Grosvenor and legendary South Korean maestro Kun-woo Paik, the latter proving that excellence can be built only on mastery of the basics with the 'easy' Sonata In C Major by Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It culminates in December with a concert played by the winner of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. The competition is held in October.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
GCC yet to renew MoU, French classes stalled
Chennai: The fate of French classes that debuted in four Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) schools last academic year is hanging in the balance as the GCC has not renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alliance Francaise. The language was taught to 20 students each from corporation schools in Perambur, Tondiarpet, Saidapet, and Thiruvanmiyur. It was taught after school hours for interested students with a consent letter from the parents, teachers said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai A teacher, who was in charge of the project, told TOI that classes were conducted between Nov 2024 and April this year. There were two classes a week, covering 80 hours, he said. A visit by TOI to the schools where the scheme was implemented showed good acceptance among the students. Alliance Francaise also rewarded the top scorer from each school with a free course in French. Shakena Sweety and Yashika, both studying at the Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvanmiyur, said they liked the classes so much that they had full attendance in the course. Their teacher said they were taken to the French embassy twice, were served French delicacies, and had different activities and games to learn the language. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Von Gelenkschmerzen betroffen? Das müssen Sie unbedingt lesen! Medizinmonitor Jetzt lesen Undo "It was joyful learning, students thoroughly enjoyed it. The same course outside would be expensive," a teacher said. The students learned the A1 French course, which teaches basic vocabulary. The students said they were missing the classes. "We learned good vocabulary, and it will be good if it's resumed," said Shakena. Both the faculty at the school level and the course director at Alliance Francaise, Gisele Pio, said they have not received details regarding the next batch yet. "It is to kick off soon, now that schools have just reopened," she said. Muniramaiah U, assistant education officer, said that the MoU will be renewed soon.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The French institution where Marie-Louise and Paul learned irregular verbs – and fell in love
Generations of Melburnians have headed to Alliance Francaise to learn French – and in addition to encountering obscure idioms and irregular verbs, sometimes they've found l'amour. Just ask Marie-Louise and Paul Thornton-Smith, who first met in a French class in 1971 when they were 16. They are still together, and remain keen allies of 'the Alliance'. At first, it was about l'amitié (friendship) and studying together, but slowly, they fell in love. Their marriage in 1984 was followed by a 'tour of France' honeymoon, taking in Paris, Mont St-Michel, Provence and the Alps. This year, Marie-Louise, a retired secondary school French teacher, will top up her fluency at Alliance Francaise with a C1 advanced conversation class, where students might discuss Victor Hugo's poems or French current affairs. She and Paul also attend the Alliance's exhibitions, talks and film festivals. 'It's so lovely, isn't it?' says Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, president of the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne board, of the Thornton-Smiths' romance. 'They're not the only ones. I've heard of other people who have met through the Alliance.'
