SIDDHARTHA ART FOUNDATION &
KATHMANDU TRIENNALE

 

Siddhartha Arts Foundation (SAF) was registered in 2011 with a mission to promote and develop various Nepali arts through an inclusive lens and approach. Its main vision is to establish Kathmandu City as a cultural hub in South Asia.

SAF initiated and is the lead organiser of Kathmandu Triennale, now its second edition. The Triennale is Nepal’s premier international platform for global contemporary art. It looks to foster a healthy art ecology that is based on the exchange of knowledge through an expansive art exhibition as well as a robust educational outreach and public programme.

The foundation is currently collaborating with ASAP’s Research division to expand and develop one of the key research areas of the Triennale’s process: Exhibition Design & Production.

The objectives of this project include:

• Conducting field research and a survey of possible frameworks for exhibition design and production in Nepal that account for the need for hybridity during the pandemic.
• Integration of new and appropriate technologies, methods and tools that will help develop exhibition production standards in Nepal and regionally.
• Building a lasting network of individuals and other partners across South Asia to enact the results of the research by producing an exhibition design for Kathmandu Triennale 2077.

The purpose of creating a specialised Exhibition Design team is not only to produce the Kathmandu Triennale exhibition, but to also build a larger framework that comprises a regional network, a knowledge-sharing platform, and intensive training and team-building modules, which will ensure the sustainability of the project in the long-term.

Amidst the pandemic’s uncertainties, Kathmandu Triennale 2077 was able to nurture a strong team to help in planning, organising, managing, and conceptualising the festival. The team was able to further research and expand on exhibition knowledge for the production work. With a team of art professionals and collaborations across the region, KT2077 hosted multiple workshops, discussions and team building exercises to form teams that would work well together while supporting and growing from each others’ strengths and weaknesses. During these workshops, we were not able to meet physically, yet we developed ways to communicate efficiently using technology, finding new ways to work outdoors and within exhibition spaces to familiarise the teams with their designated venues. The team became a strong network of nodes where people are aware of each other’s strengths and have been able to reach out to each other when needed. The production and curatorial teams tapped into the venue teams that provided the essential grounding in each venue. Any technical support provided strengthened this modality. Our Nepali team has established a foundation through experiential learning and collaborative sharing which allows us to problem-solve efficiently and rely on each of their specific backgrounds and skills.

Website: Siddhartha Art Foundation 
Social Media: Instagram

Website: Kathmandu Triennale
Social Media: Instagram