Homo Ludens | The Art of Play

India and The Netherlands have shared historical connections for centuries, beginning with the arrival of the Portuguese on the west coast of India in 1498. This was soon followed by the Dutch, French, British, and Danish, with the Dutch establishing control over Cochin in Kerala and attempting to conquer Goa from the Portuguese. The Dutch also had trading posts in various ports across India.

In the late 19th century, Dutch scholar Johan Huizinga, who studied Sanskrit and earned his PhD for his thesis on the role of jesters in Indian drama, wrote the influential book “Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play Element in Culture.” In this work, Huizinga explores the significance of play in various aspects of human life, including art, language, law, and religion. He argues that play is not merely a frivolous activity but an essential component of human culture with deep historical and social roots.

Huizinga suggests that play is a fundamental aspect of civilization, as it facilitates the development of social bonds, the transmission of cultural values, and the creation of meaning. He views play as a source of creativity, innovation, and social cohesion.

The theme of “Homo Ludens” is ideal for a program aimed at cultural practitioners, as it stimulates engagement with art in diverse forms. It aims to bring together practitioners from various fields to explore the significance of artistic expression. This program encourages individuals to engage in creative activities, free from rigid intellectual frameworks or predetermined outcomes, emphasizing the joy, spontaneity, and freedom of artistic expression. The goal is for art to be a source of pleasure, exploration, and personal fulfillment.

Homo Ludens: The Art of Play

Homo Ludens: The Art of Play consists of three exhibitions showcasing the works of 99+ artists displaying over 100 works across media.

Homo Ludens: Khel-Spel Exhibition | Curated by Sajid Wajid Shaikh

This exhibition draws deeply from Dutch cultural historian Johan Huizinga’s influential work ‘Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture’. The text reminds us that human civilisation, in all its grandeur, finds its roots in something as simple, yet profound, as play. Homo Ludens, meaning “playing humans,” presents the idea that play is not just entertainment but a fundamental condition for the emergence and growth of culture.

In this exhibition, artists from India and The Netherlands come together in a cross-cultural exchange to interpret play on their own terms. Some follow the rules, while others create their own, or break free entirely, shaping a space brimming with boundless possibilities —where, within Huizinga’s concept of the “magic circle,” play transforms into something beyond the ordinary.

Through their works, we explore how the various forms in which play presents itself in our lives. From playful puns, unusual imagery, and lighthearted games, alongside deeper explorations into themes like identity, war, and freedom, the exhibition reveals the many forms play adapts in culture. It is whimsical, it is serious, it is complex—and in this ambiguity, lies the essence of play.

Rather than seeking a single, definitive meaning, the exhibition embraces the multiple interpretations that arise from abstract, playful, or nonsensical art. Here it emphasizes the creative process itself—a return to the primal joy of play.

Amrit Pal | Ankit Patel | Arun Sharma | Ashima Raizada | Chaitali Morajkar | Deelip Khomane | Gautam Dutta | Harma Heikens | Harshit Agrawal | Laura Snijders | Leon Hendrickx | Luca Tichelman | Martin Sailor | Meesha Holley | Nilofar Shaikh | Omkar Dhareshwar | Oviya Manivannan | Priyanka Shah | Rahul Shakya | Rohit Khedkar | Sajid Wajid Shaikh | Sana Jankharia | Sankalp Kansar | Sanskar Sawant | Shivangi Kalra | Shruti Chawan | Subodh Kerkar | Sujat Roy | Thijs Van De Loo

Cycle Diaries: A Photo Exhibition | Curated by Prashant Panjiar with Asmita Parelkar and Sharada Kerkar 

Cycle Diaries: A Photo Exhibition explores the essence of Play through the lens of cycles and the various ways we interact with them every day. From young boys sporting their first wheelies to old men returning home after a long day in the fields, cycles are more than just modes of transport; they are lifelong companions that carry stories we encounter daily.

Cycles offer us a sense of freedom, a way to venture beyond our immediate surroundings, to glide through fields, visit distant friends, or even sneak off to a rendezvous with new loves and old bonds.

Cycles are versatile with the things they transport, delivering balloons, candy, flowers, and morning newspapers. In India, they often carry something even more profound: the weight of countless livelihoods. Some bear entire families, in the aftermaths of rain, in the scorching heat, towards safety and towards tomorrow. Some carry siblings and friends, sharing laughter and love as they tease each other as they make their way home.

This exhibition captures images of daily life intertwined with cycles, across various intersections of human experience. Through the eyes of photographers, we glimpse fleeting yet timeless moments that celebrate this enduring relationship.

63 artists from India and The Netherlands showcased their photographs at the exhibition.

Joint Jesters

Joint Jesters, is an exhibition centred on experimentation and play, where the act of creating becomes a game. The theme draws on the figure of the Jester, a symbol of freedom, humour, and creativity in culture, as explored by a Dutch researcher, Johan Huizinga.  

Historically, jesters were more than just entertainers; they embodied the playful spirit essential to human culture. Their humour, satire, and mockery created a space where societal norms could be questioned. This ability to engage in ‘playful criticism’ demonstrates the power of play to influence thought and culture. 

Joint Jesters followed the process of the ‘Exquisite Corpse’ game, developed by the surrealists; the game serves as an art method that allows for collaboration between artists. The traditional game involves each player adding to a folded paper without seeing the previous person’s creation, revealing surprising, whimsical results when unfolded. The game celebrates chance, imagination, and the collective sense of creating. 

Joint Jesters is a collaboration between digital artists from India and The Netherlands, who reimagined the jester using elements from both cultures.

Angie Mathot | Ivo de Boer | Julie Nakzi | Omisha Gandhi | Parvathy Subramanian | Toash Bhat