T. Shanaathanan, Architecture of Memory/ Memory of Architecture: Art, Memory and Conflict in Sri Lanka

Thirty years of civil war in Sri Lanka came to an end through the government’s military imitative in 2009, which created a divide between winners and losers, without healing the scars and wounds. Hence the conflict has been revitalized at a psychological level. In the absence of psycho-social support, and through state prohibition on civil memorials and surveillance on memorizing rituals, the individuals involved are abandoned to face feelings of loss and memories of a traumatic past. This presentation, based on my three art projects – ‘History of Histories’, ‘Imag(e)in Home’ and ‘The Incomplete Thompu’ – attempt to reveal the prospect of connecting these individuals through the concept of collective loss. Some images, sounds or other media used in the following presentation are subject to copyright restrictions that prevent them being shown. In order to provide a complete record of the conference, these items have been blurred or silenced. Should we obtain permission to use these images, sounds and other media in the future the films will be updated.