The city's longest-running contemporary art festival, KLA ART, returns for its fifth edition this August, promising a compelling exploration of cultural heritage through the theme "Care Instructions." Produced by the arts organization 32° East, the festival will run from August 8 to 24, showcasing 21 projects by 29 artists from across East Africa and beyond.
Since its inception in 2012, KLA ART has transformed Kampala's art scene, turning public spaces into dynamic galleries. The festival’s debut featured 12 artists who reimagined 12 shipping containers, placing them throughout the city. This innovative approach has continued with subsequent editions in 2014, 2018, and 2021, making contemporary art accessible to a broader audience and celebrating Ugandan creativity and innovation.
This year’s theme, "Care Instructions," invites both artists and the public to view cultural heritage as a guide for living well. With globalization and rural-urban migration eroding traditional oral knowledge, the festival seeks to create a space where indigenous wisdom can be engaged and applied to contemporary concerns.
32° East has invited a diverse group of artists to participate in KLA ART '24. This includes 20 East African artists and several international contributors, such as Seyi Adelekun from the UK, supported by iniva and the British Council; Sixte Kakinda from Congo, a recent Pro Helvetia Residency awardee; Phumulani Ntuli from South Africa, who participated in the 2022 Venice Biennale; and Catherine Lie from Indonesia and Mexico, an upcoming author on Sourdough Architecture. Their projects will explore a wide range of topics, from genealogy rituals to plant medicine, coffee culture to bath rituals, and traditional food practices to local rhythms.
The festival’s definition of care is broad and encompassing: "a species activity that includes everything that we do to maintain, continue, and repair our world so that we can live in it as well as possible." This perspective draws on the longstanding practices of indigenous communities in Uganda and worldwide, which have historically sustained life through a deep understanding of their environment. As climate collapse threatens our planet, the festival aims to highlight the urgent need to relearn these care practices. According to organizers none of the art showing at the festival is for sale.
KLA ART '24 is supported by prestigious institutions including Newcastle University, the British Council, the Prince Claus Fund, and Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council. Through a series of workshops led by renowned artists such as Sanaa Gateja, Sheila Nakitende, Liz Kobusinge, and Margaret Nagawa, participants have been guided in their explorations of cultural heritage and care.
The festival’s roots in Kabalagala, where 32° East is based, underscore its commitment to community and artistic support. By providing artists with resources and a collaborative environment, 32° East fosters critical reflection and innovation. The ongoing support from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) ensures that KLA ART remains a vibrant part of the city's cultural landscape.
As the world grapples with ecological and social challenges, KLA ART '24 offers insights into how cultural heritage can guide us in caring for our planet and each other. This year’s festival promises not only to celebrate artistic excellence but also to provoke thought and inspire action towards a more sustainable and interconnected world.
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