Ladakh, located in the northernmost part of India, lies in the Himalayas—whose name means “abode of snow” in Sanskrit—at an altitude of over 3,300 meters. For generations, people have led self-sufficient lives based on the melting snow as their water source. At elevations of 4,000 to 5,000 meters, nomadic communities herd yaks and pashmina goats. These nomads have been significantly affected by climate change, including the retreat of perennial snow in the Himalayas, forcing them to alter their traditional ways of life.
The aim of this project is to shed light on this reality through the medium of art. The exhibition featured paintings and live mural-making by Ladakhi artists, as well as works by Japanese artist Yusuke Asai, who created pieces using local Ladakhi soil. Screenings of video works were also held to share what is happening on the ground and to deepen public engagement with these issues.
Through this exhibition, we hope to foster awareness that the changes affecting Ladakhi nomads are not a distant problem, but are closely tied to our own lives in Japan. By recognizing our shared responsibility—particularly in the context of global warming—we aim to encourage reflection on how we live, viewing this as a global issue.
The invited artists from Ladakh were Chemat Dorjey, Tsering Youdol, and Jamyang Namgail.