About Us
“Together we will create brave space // Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” // We exist in the real world // We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds. // In this space // We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world // We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere // We call each other to more truth and love // We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. // We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. // We will not be perfect. // This space will not be perfect. // It will not always be what we wish it to be // But it will be our brave space together and we will work on it side by side.” – Micky ScottBey Jones
At Kaalo.101 (EkSeyEk), we make revolutionary ideas accessible through art and support people to turn these ideas into actions. We are an all femme-/queer-run space that creates an entirely independent creative environment that empowers artists to make socially conscious and consciousness-raising work engaging with the physical, social, and cultural context and the communities around us.
During our journey, we renovated multiple traditional Newa houses DIY-style into exhibition spaces, residencies, studios, and libraries, where we continuously explore intentional and sustainable co-creating and -existence. Our current five buildings are used for a permanent art display, exhibitions, workshops, mentorships, concerts, reading circles, discussions, and experimental artist- and community-led projects. However, we go beyond Kaalo.101’s walls to facilitate art festivals with collaborators like MicroGalleries and POW!WOW!Worldwide, as well as exhibits in abandoned spaces and hidden courtyards around Kathmandu Valley.
Kaalo.101 is not only a physical space but also a safe-brave thinking and creative ecosystem for our diverse and transcultural family of versatile artists and activists. We support risk-taking artists to explore complex and challenging social issues and offer a nurturing environment to express criticism by building community and resources. We don’t try to fit into anybody’s ideas about art and society but explore possibilities, values, beliefs, and non-hierarchical coexistence without limitations.
We encourage individuality and empower people to go beyond what they expect is possible — we aren’t just an art space but a living, breathing house that makes art accessible by challenging capitalism, hierarchies, and ideas such as the colonial and often intimidating art gallery. We offer a form of expression for anybody without elitist art narratives and gatekeeping. Our house, the art in it, and our connection with the wider community relate to Nepal’s cultures, histories, and heritage with contemporary perspectives to share ideas and thoughts around identity, expression, and power dynamics that connect to both the art and social context. This connection of our physical and cultural setting with contemporary, critical, and progressive approaches gives us fertile ground to continually learn, unlearn, and relearn from each other and the people around us.