In a world shaped by constant movement and cultural intersections, art remains one of the most powerful universal languages, capable of transcending borders, traditions, and time. It is within this shared expressive space that Nexion positions its commitment to culture, viewing creativity as a collective process rooted in dialogue and exchange.
Through its collaboration with the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, Nexion contributes to the creation of a living cultural bridge between Italy and India, for the third consecutive year. This ongoing artistic journey brings together diverse voices, practices, and perspectives, reinforcing the belief that when art is given time, space, and trust, it can generate connections that extend far beyond the stage.
Enabling culture through creative exchange
Nexion’s collaboration with the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts is rooted in a clear cultural vision: enabling art as a universal language capable of connecting people, disciplines, and geographies. By supporting an international artist residency in Ahmedabad, Nexion contributes to a framework of cultural exchange where Italian and Indian artists work side by side, sharing practices, perspectives, and creative processes. Over the course of the three month artistic residency, time and space are intentionally dedicated to experimentation, dialogue, and collective creation, reinforcing the belief that meaningful cultural impact is generated through sustained collaboration and mutual learning.
In this context, Nexion’s role extends beyond material innovation into the realm of cultural enabling, fostering environments where creativity becomes a tool for social connection, cross-cultural understanding, and collective growth.
Pinocchio: a contemporary story told across cultures
As the most recent production of this shared cultural journey, Pinocchio stands as a powerful example of how art functions as a universal language, capable of crossing geographies, traditions, and lived realities. By supporting Darpana’s artistic residency, Nexion contributed to a process of long-term cultural exchange that culminated in the grand premiere of this new contemporary production, presented on 27 December 2025 at the Natarani Amphitheatre in Ahmedabad, as part of the 46th Vikram Sarabhai International Arts Festival.
Conceived as a visually rich, ensemble-led performance, Pinocchio reimagines the classic tale through physical theatre, dance, and contemporary storytelling. Produced and performed by Mallika Sarabhai, written and designed by Yadvan Chandran, it comes to life through a dynamic Indo-Italian cast. The production explores themes of identity, freedom, and humanity within a world that closely mirrors our own.
Co-produced with the Darpana Academy, Pinocchio brought together Italian and Indian artistic voices to reimagine a familiar story through contemporary theatre, movement, and collective authorship. For director and performer Margherita Peluso, the project began not with a script, but with immersion and listening. “It was a journey, a lot of discovery, a lot of dialogue and understanding of different cultures, different languages,” she reflects. These shared observations became the foundation of Pinocchio, shaping a narrative that speaks less through words and more through bodies, rhythm, and space.
Developed as an ensemble-led process, the production draws from diverse theatrical traditions, ranging from Commedia dell’Arte to Indian performance vocabularies, allowing multiple languages of expression to coexist within a single stage language.
At its core, Pinocchio explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and transformation. Through this contemporary retelling, the performance stands as a living dialogue between cultures, generations, and artistic practices, embodying the shared values that guide Nexion’s commitment to art as a space for connection, empathy, and collective growth.
Mallika Sarabhai, the founder of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, reflects on the deeper meaning of the collaboration between Nexion and the Darpana Academy, one rooted in dialogue, cultural exchange, and the belief that art can speak powerfully to our time.
The resonance of Pinocchio extended beyond the stage, engaging architects and creative professionals who recognized in the performance a shared language of vision, interpretation, and contemporary relevance.
Looking ahead: a shared vision for the future
By engaging with artistic practices that cross geographies and traditions, Nexion continues to affirm its commitment to culture as a space for exchange, where creativity becomes a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and social connection.
Looking ahead, the partnership with artists, architects to support art and culture across the world points toward a future built on continuity and trust, where diverse voices can meet, challenge one another, and evolve together. It is a vision in which artistic expression remains a living, collective process, capable of generating meaning, empathy, and new possibilities across cultures.
Explore the recent cultural initiative: Meanwhile Elsewhere, inspired by Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. Follow along as this shared cultural journey continues to unfold through future collaborations and new artistic expressions.
