The Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa is back. Curated by leading artists, the festival spans multiple disciplines, from the visual and performing arts to culinary innovations and discussions. Its ninth edition in 2024 continues its mission to inspire change through the arts, with a program addressing pressing issues such as sustainability, inclusivity, and the intersection of tradition and technology.
Homegrown's guide offers a curated look at some of the most exciting performances, workshops, screenings, and exhibitions the festival has to offer. Whether you’re drawn to narratives of women’s labor songs, the interplay of sound and color in synesthetic art, or the culinary potential of seaweed, there’s something here to captivate every spirit.
BE-LOVED: Theatre, Music, Queerness and Ishq!
Through theatre, music, poetry, and dance, this play explores the spectrum of queer love. By merging historical writings with modern interpretations, it highlights the timeless and universal nature of love while focusing on the struggles and triumphs of queer identities across India.
Songs of the Millstone
This project revisits traditional women’s work songs, framing them as echoes of both resilience and drudgery. Through dance and music, the performance interrogates how gendered labor shapes identity and collective memory, making visible the often-overlooked narratives of women’s lives.
Littoral States of Being
A surreal convergence of natural elements and abstract choreography, this performance invites you to navigate a maze of bamboo poles and otherworldly creatures. It serves as a metaphor for humanity’s enduring connection to nature, blending the tangible and the ethereal.
Silent Rhythms
This workshop showcases the artistic depth of Deaf culture, presenting sign language poetry and visual storytelling as powerful modes of expression. By emphasizing the universality of creative communication, it challenges preconceived notions of accessibility and artistry.
Evolving Trends in Feni
Feni, Goa’s iconic liquor, is a symbol of cultural heritage and innovation. By celebrating and showcasing traditional and barrel-aged varieties, it positions Feni not just as a local favorite but as a potential global premium product, embodying the evolution of tradition.
Blind Date with Friends
Bridging social and cultural divides, this initiative pairs you with visually impaired individuals for a shared artistic experience. Through conversation and connection, it fosters empathy and highlights the richness of diverse perspectives.
The Greenwashing Narrative
This panel dissects the illusions of sustainability in fashion, urging you to confront the disinformation surrounding eco-friendly claims. It calls for a collective commitment to genuine environmental and social responsibility.
Resurgence of Memory: Oceanic Archives and the Portuguese Connection
By examining the cultural legacies of Portuguese colonies, we understand how history continues to shape contemporary identities. In our postcolonial world, it’s never been more important to revisit and preserve transoceanic connections.
In the Realm of the Sonic Senses
This talk delves into the multisensory nature of art, exploring how synesthetic experiences can challenge and expand traditional boundaries of perception. It celebrates the fluidity of sensory interpretation in artistic expression.
Imagining Insects
This experiment challenges cultural biases by introducing insects as a sustainable food source. By exploring the intersection of taste and perception, it questions the boundaries of culinary acceptance and sustainability.
Climate Controlled Dosa Picnic Basket
This whimsical food ritual turns the humble dosa into a centerpiece of innovation and celebration. By overcoming logistical challenges, it emphasizes the creativity inherent in everyday culinary traditions.
Eating Seaweed Workshop
Step into the untapped potential of Goan seaweed by combining traditional techniques with a hyper-local ingredient. Culinary innovation can transform regional biodiversity into sustainable food practices.
Chapters Inbetween: Women's Stories Unfold
This collection of six short films captures the unsaid realities of women workers and entrepreneurs in Goa. By blending straightforward accounts with poetic imagery, it illuminates their struggles, dreams, and silent resilience.
If I Could Tell You
Explore the power of visual language through the friendship of a deaf and a hearing individual. It questions how autonomy, agency, and care are communicated beyond spoken words — human connection is richer than we think.
Shelf Life
By drawing parallels between the aging of cheese and human life, this quirky film explores decay and preservation. It’s a whimsical ode to the art of craftsmanship and the beauty of impermanence.
Art x Machine
This exhibition showcases India’s innovative AI artists at the intersection of technology and creativity. By transforming machine learning into a tool for expression, it redefines the boundaries of traditional art forms.
Memory of Birds
A sound installation inspired by migrating birds and contested histories, this work addresses political violence and collective trauma. It’s a meditation on memory, erasure, and the ephemeral nature of life.
The Game of Whispers
By juxtaposing Mughal-era intrigue with modern disinformation, this interactive video game explores how technology shapes narratives and power dynamics. It’s a commentary on truth and manipulation in the digital age.
The Alley
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