Side By Side – A Multimedia Art Exhibition

Introduction

This exhibition reiterates MOG’s commitment to bringing Goa’s stories to you by reflecting on this land’s shared histories, interfaith practices, and evolving traditions. With 4 shows, 90+ artists, and 100+ artworks, this exhibition will present the many known and unknown festivals of Goa, centering on the people and communities that bring them to life.

Festivals are the stories communities tell about themselves. Viewed anthropologically, festivals are more than celebrations—they are how communities express their values, adapt to change, and reaffirm belonging.

Goa’s festivals, shaped by the various religious regimes and regional history, do not offer a single culture but a mosaic of many. They remind us that coexistence is not just about tolerance, but about participation and continuity. Through these collective expressions, we see how Goans understand their environment, their faiths, and each other, making festivals one of the most complete reflections of Goan life itself.

French Sociologist, Emile Durkheim, sees feasts and festivals as an ‘effervescence’, the intensity of which cements the solidarity of a group, a representation of the invisible relationships between man and the laws of nature, a veritable institution whereby the bonds between the members of a society are maintained, regenerated, and reproduced.

Through photographs, collaborative installations, multimedia artworks, and a children’s art show, Festivals of Goa becomes both a mirror and a map: reflecting on the many ways through which the people of Goa negotiate modernity, memory, and identity.

Background

Established in 2015, MOG has been a platform for artistic expression and innovation, working with over 500 artists from around the world and hosting more than 600 exhibitions and events. Every year, the museum brings together approximately 70,000 visitors, including tourists and over 12,000 students from Goan schools, providing a unique opportunity for people to engage with Goa’s history and culture through art.

By building a dialogue between art, history, and community, MOG seeks to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Goa’s complex cultural heritage.

The ‘Festivals of Goa’ exhibition is a significant milestone in the museum’s journey, marking its 10th anniversary celebrations.

About the exhibition

The Side by Side exhibition, curated by Museum of Goa, showcases 50+ artworks created by over 40 artists across mediums. The exhibition explores artistic responses to known and unknown festivals of Goa, seeking to understand what they reveal about Goan society today by reflecting on Goa’s shared cultures.

The exhibition consists of artworks received through an open call that received over 140+ artworks from artists all over the country. It also showcases the works of 25+ invited artists from Goa, including artists who are showcasing for the first time and artists who have been a part of MOG in the last 10 years.

At a time of increasing polarization, Side by Side is both a celebration and a provocation. It asks us to stand beside one another, to view the world through another’s eyes. A call to witness, reflect, and participate in a Goan identity that is syncretic, evolving, and resilient, because it is only in the act of celebration that we discover how deeply we belong to one another.

Participating Artists

Aditya Sharma | Afina Ashraf | Ambika Shirodkar | Animesh Mahata | Asavari Gurav | Chaitali Morajkar | Dheeraj Balihara | Dhruv Chavan | Dipal Sisodia | Divesh Gadekar | Francis Desousa | Harshada Kerkar | Kabir Kayastha | Kalidas Mhamal | Kausalya Gadekar | Khushi Desai | Leticia Alvares | Mansi Trivedi | Martin Sailor | Mayuri Chari | P.K.P Alekya | Pandurang Naik | Pradeep Naik | Puru Mehra | Rahul Popaniya  | Ramdas Gadekar  | Rohan Aland | Santhosh Morajkar | Savia Viegas | Shaheen Suri | Shailesh Dabholkar | Shivam Harmalkar | Shripad Gurav | Shuvam Sen | Siddesh Chari | Siddharth Kerkar | Siddharth Sutar | Siddhesh Kadam | Simran Singh | Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal | Subodh Kerkar | Vagh Jenish | Verodina Ferrao De Sousa | Viraj Naik | Vitesh Naik

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