Transnational Communities: merging collaboration with care

What inspired the collaboration between Kaalo.101 and Kiwala? How did you envision the ‘Transnational Communities’ project addressing shared values like the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and resources?

Kaalo.101: The collaboration was initiated with the goal of creating a transnational South Asian platform of like-minded cultural practitioners. When meeting Yangzom from Kiwala, they found a good fit for partnership. As independent spaces and activists working in their region, they often felt isolated while challenging power dynamics, hierarchies, and intersectional class oppressions. Finding collaborators to inspire, support, and exchange resources was crucial to sustain their work through communal care.

Kiwala: The collaboration was first conceptualized in Nepal in 2023 during conversations between Helena Aryal and Yangzom Wu. Helena approached Yangzom with an idea for a joint project, focusing on transnational diaspora. Yangzom’s background brought a perspective on Tibetan/Himalayan heritage, mixed with Indian and Nepali influences, while Helena contributed insights from South Asian diaspora communities in Nepal. Nepal as a ‘safe haven’ for artist communities was a significant theme in their discussions, exploring Tibetan/Himalayan heritage in the context of broader South Asian collaborations.

The project launched amid the challenging circumstances of Nepal’s recent floods and landslides. How did these events shape the group dynamics and discussions?

Kaalo.101: In South Asia, they create abundance for themselves and their practices even in challenging environments. Despite facing floods, scarcities in household water and electricity, they did not let these circumstances negatively impact their work. Instead, these situations became part of their interactions, defining the nature of communal care. For example, visiting communities from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India supported renovating a house after heavy rains and leakage.

Kiwala: The floods and landslides delayed the arrival of Kiwala members in Nepal. One member who had planned to arrive earlier ultimately decided not to come at all. These delays led to intense discussions among the members about infrastructural capacities, responsibilities, and climate justice. However, the exhibition and creative work in Kathmandu remained unaffected. By the time Kiwala (Nikita & Yangzom) arrived, the situation in Kathmandu had returned to normal.

What does it take to create a sustainable international network of independent curators and creatives? What are the challenges you foresee?

Kaalo.101: Creating such a network requires extensive negotiation, discussions, and compromises. Collaborating with the Diaspora in South Asia can be tricky due to different understandings of working as a cultural practitioner, navigating scarcity, and defining artistic relevance. Each collaborator must be willing to unlearn, be inspired by others, and be ready to let go and redefine their approach and thoughts.

Kiwala: Building such a network requires transparent and thoughtful communication of goals and expectations. It’s essential to approach collaboration with trust, assuming each contributor is acting in good faith. Without this foundation, communication can become strained, leading to resentment or inhibitions.

The primary challenges were rooted in fundamental aspects of collaboration, particularly differing communication styles, curatorial approaches, and artistic practices. A fascinating aspect was uncovering intersections between communities sharing similar political and societal views, such as erased histories, political persecution, oral storytelling, and generational trauma.

What themes emerged in the works exhibited in Baaf Rey Baaf? The decision to curate an exhibition in a local shop space is also unique. What was the significance of this choice?

Kaalo.101: The themes represented the diversity of their group and the social/political situations of their spaces. The curation was a playful and exciting process centered on creating art and space for people, not in exclusive spaces. They wanted to highlight South Asian politics under one banner in a space that allows visitors to stumble in without fearing rejection or expectations. A shop, open to the street and common in their contexts, seemed like the perfect choice to create an inviting space for conversation.

Kiwala: One curatorial highlight was selecting a shop’s shutter space as the venue. Located in a small alley off Patan Durbar Marg, a heritage site and major tourist area, the semi-enclosed nature created a sense of discovery. The space attracted spontaneous passersby who wouldn’t normally engage with traditional art spaces, making the exhibition highly accessible.

The density of works in the small space mirrored the bustling surroundings. Major themes included ‘political unrest, LGBTQI+ issues, and anti-capitalism’. The use of visual elements like newspapers, stickers, and QR codes contributed to a protest-like/reactionary atmosphere. This was a deliberate rejection of the white cube aesthetic, with the room painted black and walls fully covered with material.

As the showcase travels across various countries, what are your hopes for how it will evolve and resonate with different communities?

Kaalo.101: The hope is primarily for inspiration and community, continuous exchanges, and new ideas. They want to see each participant thriving not only individually but also as a community. The project is viewed positively as constructive and doable, despite busy schedules. It’s mostly about communal care, creation, support, consultation, and sharing positivity.

Kiwala: They envision the showcase being adapted to each new location, with different curatorial attitudes reflecting the local context. Each art space should shape its presentation. During their time in Kathmandu, they formed meaningful connections, even outside the Baaf Rey Baaf project. They intend to maintain these relationships, which have significantly influenced their vision for future collaborations in Zurich and beyond.