Amshad Sunuwar’s ‘Ambiguity within the Rote Loop’ is the exhibition on display at Dalai-La Art Space for the month of June. The exhibit covers feelings of rebelling against a system that tries to indoctrinate ideas of obedience within each one of us.

As the title suggests, the exhibition tries to shine light upon the current education pedagogy and obedience practices that demand students to enter into a rote-learning loophole.

As one enters the art space, you are face to face with a line of artworks showcasing the different ways in which a child is taught an essential skill—to manufacture their creativity according to the demands of the elders or teachers.

The art space tries to unleash the dichotomy of the school environment, which on one end, tries to push its students to become an “ideal version” of what they’re supposed to be. Any sign of questioning behaviour is largely suppressed under such a system, leaving very little space for curiosity and creativity. “The artist, using means of childhood examples, implores us to expand our alternate thought processes”, says Bidhata KC, curator at Dalai La Art Space.

These ideas of inculcated behaviours are displayed in the art pieces on display using various mediums. The artist has used both traditional means of art display, such as drawing, oil painting and screen print, along with modern methods, such as video screening and graffiti, to express the emotions felt under the education pedagogy. The video, for instance, showcases the creative process and an interest to understand alternate realities.

The organisers say they are trying to prompt their audience to set on a process of unlearning and opening themselves to rethink their accepted values, norms and behaviours through the exhibition.

When: June 9 to July 3

Where: Dalai-la Art Space, Thamel, Kathmandu

Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Entry: Free