Learning from Doubt is a 5 week hybrid course (online and in-person sessions) that has emerged from The Sovereign Forest by Amar Kanwar. It was made as the IHME Helsinki Commission for 2022. The course will include a total of 9 modules comprising interactive sessions with the artist, independent study through films, readings, podcasts and group discussions. Participants in Kathmandu should attend in-person and participants outside Kathmandu may attend online. Application is open to Nepalis living in Nepal only.

The Sovereign Forest is an art project that has been ongoing since 2009. It attempts to reopen discussion and initiate a creative response to our understanding of crime, politics, human rights, and ecology. The validity of poetry as evidence in a trial, the discourse on seeing, on understanding, on compassion, on issues of justice, sovereignty and the determination of the self – all come together in a constellation of moving and still images, texts, books, pamphlets, albums, music, objects, seeds, events, and processes. It has been made in collaboration with Samadrusti/Sudhir Pattnaik and Sherna Dastur. Samadrusti is a fortnightly Odia political and social news magazine, Sudhir Pattnaik is the editor of Samadrusti and a social activist. Sherna Dastur is a graphic designer and filmmaker based in Delhi. Experiences gained during the making and exhibiting of The Sovereign Forest and lessons learned from experiments about ecological sustainability with a unique seed bank in the state of Odisha, are integrated into the course.

Over 5 weeks, participants will focus on the various elements that make up The Sovereign Forest exhibition—films, books, stories, seeds, images— and approach the concept of ‘evidence of a crime’ from a different perspective. The course aims to develop the ability to use a multi-disciplinary approach to research, integrate community experiences and develop the ability to positively engage with contradictions and doubts.

Click HERE for Course Schedule

Venue

Hotel Sunset View, Baneshwor 

Eligibility and Program Details 

• Participants should be Nepalis based in Nepal. 
• Course is designed for photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, researchers, journalists, writers, community workers, educators, activists, politicians, lawyers, students and anyone interested to work in multidisciplinary ways to interrogate our understanding of crime, politics, human rights, and ecology.
• Participants should be able to meet in person for course sessions in Kathmandu, however participants based outside Kathmandu who wish to participate virtually are encouraged to also apply. 
• Course can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants in Kathmandu and 10-15 participants virtually.  
• Language for conversations and reading/listening/watching material will be a mix of English and Nepali.
• Participants will be expected to engage in all 9 modules and manage time for independent study as well as in-person sessions, discussions and other possible outcomes
• Course fee is NPR 2500. Please let us know if you would require a fee waiver.   

How to apply

To apply for this course, please submit the following via this google form

1. An updated CV (2 pages max) or a short bio (150 words)
2. Please indicate if you would like to participate in person or online 

Application Deadline

Friday, 10 Feb 2023

PhotoKTM5 Learning Programs has been generously supported by PhotoSouthAsia, an initiative of the MurthyNAYAK Foundation.