Kampala, Uganda – From August 8th to 24th, 2024, Kampala will host the fifth edition of KLA ART, a free contemporary art festival produced by 32° East.
KLA ART transforms Kampala into a contemporary art festival, redefining the relationship between artists and their audiences. This year’s theme, “Care Instructions,” invites participants to explore Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through a multimedia lens.
The festival will feature installations, performances, workshops, discussions, and Ekyooto sessions, showcasing the work of 28 diverse artists. Moreover, highlights include the “What About Mending?” workshop, performances by Mercy Ajatum and the Nilotika Cultural Ensemble, and guided artist tours. Key events such as the “Conditions of Funding” discussion, the Living Pavilion seed planting, and various care conversations will invite participants to engage deeply with the festival’s theme.
“Care Instructions” examines Uganda’s cultural heritage as a living, evolving guide for sustainable living. Indigenous practices, from naming winds and healing with plants to rain-making and folklore, have long sustained life. In a world increasingly threatened by climate collapse, understanding and practicing these care instructions is more urgent than ever.
KLA ART ’24 will feature 20 East African artists and several international contributors, including Seyi Adelekun from the UK, Sixte Kakinda from Congo, Phumulani Ntuli from South Africa, and also Catherine Lie from Indonesia and Mexico. Their projects will explore genealogy rituals, plant medicine, coffee culture, bath rituals, traditional food practices, and local rhythms. The festival’s broad definition of care emphasizes maintaining and repairing our world, drawing inspiration from indigenous practices. Notably, the festival will present art that is not for sale, underscoring the urgent need to relearn and practice care amidst the climate crisis.
KLA ART ’24 is proudly supported by the British Council, Prince Claus Fund, Segal Family Foundation, Newcastle University, as well as other esteemed organizations.
