The cultural sphere of Kolkata is adorned with the return of St+art India Foundation’s project that blurs the concrete block between private talk and public life. Kolkata’s current vibe shall play a little more, as the city inaugurated the St+art Kolkata 2025–26 festival. This project transformed the entire space of TRI ART & CULTURE by practically converting it into an interactive “ADDA SPOT”. Opened to all on November 7, 2025, the transition of the multi-disciplinary art centre into a hotspot of adda culture is supported by Asian Paints and has successfully evolved into a platform to deliver powerful statements and immersive experiences that encapsulate the essence of the city.
Experiencing The Adda
The St+art India Foundation, known for bringing large-scale public art and community engagement programmes, has skillfully curated this chapter in partnership with corporate partners like KCT Group CSR. The theme that binds the show is “Adda”, a very innate practice of the Bengalis, a social idiom for leisurely yet intense conversational gatherings. The title “Third space” represents the essence of the theme by placing it beyond home (the first place) and workplace (the second place). In the city of joy, Adda has emerged as a ritual of the Bengalis, as it fuses private memories, nostalgia, critical exchanges, etc., over which like-minded people huddle together. Thus, the third space is more of a curatorial device where one can expect sculptural interventions, ephemeral site-work, and socially activated programs that deliberately foreground conversation as a medium. Interestingly, TRI is situated at a restored 1940s mansion, which is reimagined as a multidisciplinary cultural hub. This offers a blend of history with visuals and the best essence of Kolkata.
The Dialogue in Motion
As the St+art Foundation is renowned for its city-wide interventions, and the opening at TRI seems like the beginning of the festival’s impact on Kolkata. While the exhibition is the nucleus, the wider program aims to nestle the public art deeper into the urban fabric.
| Ongoing Intervention | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|
| “ADDA: The Third Space” Exhibition | The central experience at TRI Art & Culture uses contemporary art to initiate a socio-cultural dialogue on community and public engagement. |
| City-Wide Murals & Street Art | Public murals across Kolkata extend the St+art ethos of making art accessible, turning city walls into participatory canvases. |
| Workshops & Public Programs | Interactive sessions, literary readings, and culinary addas transform TRI into a multidisciplinary cultural hub. |
| Social Discourse | The theme ‘Adda’ has sparked vibrant conversation in Kolkata’s cultural circles, redefining the idea of shared space and dialogue. |
| Opening & Duration | Opened November 7, 2025, at TRI Art & Culture, supported by Asian Paints and KCT Group CSR; runs through early January 2026. |
| Collaborators | St+art India Foundation x TRI Art & Culture; Vision Partner: Asian Paints; Support: KCT Group CSR. |
key Highlights
- Opening day launch at TRI with curatorial walkthroughs and artist interactions (7 Nov 2025).
- Exhibition runs through early January, offering talks, performances, and participatory events alongside installations.
- Collaboration model: St+art India Foundation x TRI Art & Culture; vision partner Asian Paints; supported by KCT Group CSR.
- Programmatic emphasis on conversation, public activation, and site-responsive work that references the Bengali adda tradition.
Context Matters
Hitherto, St+art’s city-scale projects have deployed murals and public programming to re-module how people move through everyday spaces. In Kolkata, a city already saturated with nostalgia, public imagery, and rich traditions, the project’s success will depend on how well it balances spectacle, whether the works can invite genuine participation rather than being a piece of displayable decor. Also, by choosing Adda as the central theme, it connects an intimate mesh with the larger public in Bengal.
The exhibition is a vital signal of Kolkata’s creative renaissance, positioning Kolkata as a leading centre for intellectual commentary. As the event continues over the coming months, it shall act as a reminder that art is an act of rebellion against isolation and anonymity, reflecting the third space and connected by Adda.
