Define “art.” A word so all-encompassing feels impossible to limit to just a few sentences. It’s the application of the human imagination in any and every form; it exists on museum walls and between the strings of a guitar, in the force of a dancer’s feet hitting the floor and in the curve of every word on the page. Creativity’s unending capacities should be celebrated in its fullness, at the intersections of these disciplines. The Serendipity Arts Festival recognises the value of fostering interdisciplinary experiences and platforms a unique, diverse set of creators at their annual festivals.
Orchestrated by the Serendipity Arts Foundation, the Serendipity Arts Festival is one of South Asia’s most engaging and celebrated art experiences. Their expert team of curators includes acclaimed artists and industry experts who have handpicked innovators from a variety of creative backgrounds. This year, the Serendipity Arts Festival will take place from December 15-22 in Panjim, Goa. Featuring over 1800 artists and 200 projects, this multi-faceted festival includes exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops, film screenings, culinary experiences, and more, leaving us confident you will find at least one event to enjoy.
Every program on the festival’s lineup looks incredible, though some stand out to us as truly unlike anything else you have experienced previously. The Fantasy Forest, for instance, is an immersive experience using tactile suspensions to transport you into another world. Made in collaboration with The Owl House, artists Sufyan Panna and Pakhi Sen reflect the neurodivergent students who creatively contributed to this project.
If you’re a music lover, you can attend ‘In Conversation’, a moderated dialogue between iconic playback singer Usha Uthup and bass superstar Mohini Dey. As a huge fan of Dey’s work and an appreciator of Uthup’s significant contributions to the Indian music scene from the 60s until now, I have no doubt this collaboration will be one for the books. To top things off, the two musicians will bring their respective incredible talents together in a culminating jam session.
For my foodies out there, you can try one of Kinky Kashayam’s ‘Climate Controlled Dosa Picnic Baskets.’ The artist and researcher is known for his witty, imaginative creations, many of which we have covered here at Homegrown before. This time around, Kinky Kashayam has built a portable 32” dosa-maker with compartments that can hold up to 3 litres of sambar and chutney. This slightly absurd, definitely delicious culinary experience is one you won’t want to miss.
Find more programmes planned for the 2024 Serendipity Arts Festival here.