Transcending Territories is the current series of co-curated projects, engaging artists inspired from traditionally nomadic cultures around the world in contemporary exhibitions and projects, including nomads of the seas, deserts, and grasslands such as Mongolian, Tibetan, Bedouin, Sami, Navajo, Gypsy, and Bajau cultures.  This work is founded on the belief that Nomadism is a vital and dynamic force in the modern world, and may spawn new ways of existence in the globalized society, and even the fluidity of cyberspace, offering the potential to restructure these spaces in ways that are both more humane and more natural. Our exhibitions explore ideas of harmonious relations among human beings, animals, nature, and other human beings, through the lens of nomadism and contemporary art. These exhibitions explore ideas of harmony among human beings, animals, nature, and other human beings, through traditionally nomadic cultural lenses and contemporary art.

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Transcending Territories focuses on the philosophy and discourse of Nomadism. Over the millennia, diverse nomadic and Indigenous peoples around the world have developed highly sophisticated cultural perspectives rooted in their knowledge of the landscape and experience of nature. The ways of thinking that emerge from traditionally nomadic cultures comprise Nomadism, which is more than merely a lifestyle or history of mobility. Nomadism is a discourse of philosophy, aesthetics, and relations to nature that remains beautiful and relevant to contemporary society. Nomadism is dynamic and flexible, comprising living traditions that continue to change and adapt to the contemporary global world. In some places, nomadic lifestyles are still active ways of life, while in other instances the descendants of nomadic cultures live in urban and sedentary contexts, but maintain insights gained through previous generations of nomadic coexistence with the natural environment. 

 

Although each person brings a unique perspective to the concept of nomadism, we believe that it encompasses essential values such as courage, wisdom, tolerance, sustainability, and harmony with one’s surroundings. Nomadism draws on lifetimes of coexistence and survival in often difficult environments, relying upon the available resources and carefully calibrated relations with those places, generating sustainable political structures and economic systems. Bodily experience, sensual perception, and intimate memories are the basis of nomadism.  The relationships with elders, family, and animals. The sounds of community and the beauty of open places, shifting seasons, and native plants. Shadows of clouds passing slowly over waving seas of grass or arid deserts.  

 

 Nomadism is the accumulated knowledge and beauty born of nomadic lifestyles and experiences, a philosophical outlook that remains applicable to real life. Nomadism often incorporates a different conception of time, relying upon the continued presence of the past, and living in the embrace of the future. Nomadism is contained in the oral histories, prayers, ceremonies, and everyday activities of tradition, but also the electronic communications and creations of the future. Nomadism embraces an unhurried rhythm of life, but it does not remain static or unchanging. While nomadism may be “in the blood” of people who come from nomadic stock, it represents a state of mind in which all people might find inspiration. Nomadism offers spiritual sustenance to modern descendants of nomadic peoples, and to the friends and allies who respectfully seek to learn from their cultural inheritance. 

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Coral LuLu curated Transcending Territories 2017 with co-curator Dalkh-Ochir Yondonjunai, director of the Mongolian Contemporary Art Center, founder of the Blue Sun Art Group, and curator of the Mongolian Pavilion at the 2015 Venice Biennale. Our exhibition at the Art Tai Space in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia brought Mongolian and Inner Mongolian artists together for a contemporary exhibition for the first time. The following year, Coral LuLu reprised Transcending Territories 2018 by working with Professor Dr. Uranchimeg Tsultem, currently the Edgar and Dorothy Fehnel Chair of International Studies at Indiana University.  Our exhibition at the Scorching Sun Art Lab, in Lhasa, Tibet brought Mongolian and Tibetan contemporary artists together for a show for the first time.  

 

In the coming years, we will continue working with contemporary artists inspired from traditionally nomadic cultures around the world and co-curators to expand upon the Transcending Territories Series.