PhotoKTM 5’s visual extravaganza

Travellers cross the Narayani River at Pitauji Ghat, down the river from Narayanghat in 1967. Logs are piled across the river, which will be brought over to be hauled to India. Photo: DAVE HOHL/NEPAL PEACE CORPS PHOTO HISTORY PROJECT

The fifth edition of PhotoKTM is coming to town for a month-long festival of various lens-based work. From 25 February-31 March, photo.circle’s bi-annual festival aims to create resources for visual storytellers, researchers, educators, activists and other cultural producers to engage with social change.

The theme this year is the natural world, and PhotoKTM 5 will have over 60 participants from 16 countries to highlight ‘non-human entities’, re-learn histories and pay attention, encouraging participants to imagine ways to co-exist and co-habitat this earth.

The opening on 24 February at Bhandarkhal in the Patan Darbar Square will feature an immersive audio-visual performance, curated by Irina Giri and musical performances by artists Pushpa Palanchoke and Ser o Dúo, and the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory Choir, accompanied with visual projections by Phatcowlee.

Chitwan National Park will see activities from 3-6 March. Indian filmmaker Amar Kanwar will teach a five-week course ‘Learning from Doubt’ on crime, politics, human rights, and ecology.

PhotoKTM 5 will also have Bangladeshi artist, curator and teacher Munem Wasif, Swiss artist and writer Uriel Orlow, Indian filmmaker Sriram Murali, the Feather Library, Alana Hunt from Miriwoong country in the north-west of Australia, Mexican/British multidisciplinary visual artist Monica Alcazar Duarte, among others. Nepal Picture Library, and KTK-Belt Project which works on biodiversity preservation in eastern Nepal will also be presenting their work at the festival.

Photo: MONICA ALCAZAR-DUARTE

PhotoKTM also hosts a research residency, and this year it is being organised in collaboration with Jatayu Vulture Restaurant in Nawalparasi, and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).

The South Asia Incubator for emerging and mid-career visual practitioners will allow participants to engage with global professionals and provide inputs to exhibit, publish and develop practices.

EXHIBITIONS

As We Know Them: Bird Names in Tharu

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Khapinchhen

Sungabha: Encounters in the Wild

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Dhaugal

A Very Clear Picture

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Patan House

The Skin of Chitwan

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Bahadur Shah Hall

Ikamo Tlalli – Earthless

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Gallery MCube

Drawing From Nature

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Dhaugal

Minmini

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Chyasal

The World like a Jewel in the Hand

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Bahadur Shah Hall

Chhimeki Chara

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Chyasal

Seeds Shall Set Us Free

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Gallery MCube

Indigenous Knowledge Portal

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Khapinchhen

Feather Library

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Chyasal

What Plants Were Called Before They Had a Name

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Khapinchhen

Searching for the European Roller

25 Feb - 31 March 2023 | 11am - 7pm

Namkha

Festival attendance is free.  www.photoktm.com