The third iteration of the Lahore Biennale concluded with a Climate Congress, following a dinner hosted by the LBF, attended by art community The
The third iteration of the Lahore Biennale concluded with a Climate Congress, following a dinner hosted by the LBF, attended by art community
The Lahore Biennale LB03 Climate Congress opened on a high note with a dinner hosted by the Lahore Biennale Foundation on November 4th, attended by all participating artists, academics, and members of the art fraternity. This evening of cross-cultural exchange and celebration set the stage for a congress focused on addressing the climate crisis through the arts and humanities.
As the closing program for LB03, the Climate Congress dives into the extensive histories and research developed through the main exhibition, Of Mountains and Seas. Guided by the expertise of Iftikhar Dadi and John Tain, this congress unites both established and emerging voices in the fields of art, research, and curation. It serves as a critical platform for South-South dialogues, exploring how the arts and humanities can actively engage in broader sustainability efforts and cultivate new frameworks for envisioning sustainable futures.
Building on themes from Of Mountains and Seas, which explores ecologies and sustainable futures from Asian and Global South perspectives, the Climate Congress highlights art and culture’s fundamental role in societal transformation. The congress facilitates transregional discussions on the power of climate-focused and ecological art, art history, and the humanities to preserve cultural heritage and nurture alternative social practices. Through these conversations, the congress aims to reveal art’s unique capacity to inspire social change—an essential component of building societies that respect ecological limits.
Taking place at three major locations, The Lahore Museum, Alhmara Arts Council and LUMS, the climate congress consists of Asia Forum Arts and Environment Roundtable sessions, in-depth presentations by international art academics, conversations with the participating artists, video and film screenings and guided tours by of the Biennale sites by the curator John Tain himself.
This gathering offers a truly transnational forum, emphasizing local and indigenous perspectives while modeling the decentralized, interdisciplinary collaboration needed to confront the climate crisis. As climate change continues to challenge societies globally, the congress highlights the urgency of fostering solidarity beyond borders. Artists and researchers from Pakistan and over 20 other countries join together, representing a wide array of institutions and regions. This collective effort is not only a dialogue but a blueprint for the kind of collaborative action essential to a just and sustainable future.
The Climate Congress in Lahore could not be more timely, as it coincides with what is now known as the city’s 5th season; Smog – a stark reminder of the urgent climate crisis at hand. Each year, Lahore experiences hazardous levels of air pollution, turning the city into a visual and visceral warning of ecological degradation. This pervasive smog is more than a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a climate emergency affecting public health, daily life, and the region’s ecological balance. Against this backdrop, the congress gains added significance, amplifying the need for the dialogues unfolding here. By bringing together voices from diverse regions and fields, the congress underscores the vital role of art and culture in confronting environmental challenges that know no boundaries, offering a shared path forward toward sustainable solutions.
The Climate Congress is supported by a grant from the Getty Foundation, and is hosted in collaboration with faculty from the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).
