Raki Nikahetiya, a visionary multi-disciplinary artist, has embarked on an artistic journey that traverses continents and cultures. With a home base in New Delhi, London, Vienna, and Colombo, Raki is the co-founder of “Sa Ladakh,”. Raki along with Tenzing (Jammy) Jamyang, Ladakhi Climbing Pioneer and Sagardeep Singh, Interior Designer as co-founders held a groundbreaking contemporary land art group exhibition that recently unfolded at a breathtaking altitude of 3600 meters in the Disko Valley of Leh Ladakh, India. This remarkable initiative is a convergence of art, environment, culture, and community, and it unfolded from 1st to 23rd August 2023, making its mark as Asia’s highest-ever land art exhibition.
Courtesy: Raki Nikahetiya
Community Engagement and Artistic Vision
At the heart of Sa Ladakh lies an unwavering commitment to community engagement, a value that has been a guiding force behind this artistic endeavour. Raki Nikahetiya shared his excitement about the resonance project found within the Ladakhi community, along with friends and supporters. The interaction with the local children has left an everlasting mark on his memory. Working at an elevation of 3600 meters was a challenging feat, yet the experience of collaborating with various schools and students was rejuvenating. The project’s scope extended beyond art; it embraced education, environment, and collaboration.
Copyright: Laurent Ziegler
From Concept to Reality
Raki’s journey with Sa Ladakh started with a 20-acre piece of land and a vision to create a land art show with artists focused on climate change. The pivotal achievement was proving the concept’s viability, a feat they undeniably achieved. The success has emboldened them to replicate this initiative not only within India but across other spaces as well. The project offered valuable lessons in community engagement, fostering relationships, and integrating education into the artistic process.
A Landscape of Discarded Dreams
One of the distinctive features of Sa Ladakh was the use of discarded, renewable, and reusable materials in site-specific art installations. This ethos extended to the visitors, as a cleanup effort transformed the Disko Valley from a repository of plastic bottles and debris into a communal space. Raki’s goal was to move away from commissioned works, allowing artists to create thought-provoking pieces that aligned with the environment’s reality and limitations.
Impacts and Unexpected Connections
The impact of Sa Ladakh surpassed expectations, receiving coverage from international magazines and opening doors for Ladakhi artists to a global audience. The unique blend of senior and junior artists working together, breaking through the glass ceilings of traditional contemporary art, sparked discussions that transcended the canvas. The project not only created art but also fostered dialogue about climate change, making a lasting impression on the community.
Art as a Language of Change
The Sa Ladakh exhibition embraced various mediums – physical, virtual, projected works, films, and projection mapping – to communicate its message effectively. The goal was to engage and inspire a diverse audience to adopt responsible behaviours in a changing environment. The exhibition demonstrated how art could catalyse change, nurture a sense of responsibility, and encourage the next generation to engage with pressing global issues.
Courtesy: Rahul Gautam
Memories That Last
Among the myriad memories Sa Ladakh created, two stand out for Raki. The first is the deep engagement with school children, leaving an emotional imprint on both the participants and the team. The second memory involves a reminiscence from Raki’s childhood, where his father nurtured his love for nature. Through Sa Ladakh, Raki aimed to pass on this reverence for the environment to the younger generation, allowing them to develop a genuine connection with their surroundings.
Lessons from the Heights
Sa Ladakh, an audacious undertaking that melded art, community, and sustainability, has proven that art can be a catalyst for meaningful change. By engaging with local communities, embracing discarded materials, and fostering cross-generational collaboration, Raki Nikahetiya and his team has demonstrated the power of artistic expression to address critical global issues. As the echoes of the exhibition continue to resonate, Sa Ladakh stands as a testament to the potential of art to create conversations, change perspectives, and inspire a brighter future.
Iftikar Ahmed is a New Delhi-based art writer, researcher and curator.
