kitsare

Kitsare is a term used in contemporary art and design to describe a framework for creating and distributing modular artistic kits that enable collaborative creation and performance. The concept emphasizes accessibility, open sharing, and collective authorship. The name combines the idea of modular kits with notions of assembly and community involvement.

Origin and context: Kitsare first appeared in online forums and artist-run spaces in the early 2010s, gaining traction through international maker and participatory art scenes. It is not tied to a single institution; rather, it describes a family of practices that share a kit-based workflow, emphasizing replication and adaptation across different settings.

Practice and components: A kitsare project typically includes a kit containing physical objects, digital assets, or both; a set of instructions, a score, or protocols; and a platform for sharing adaptations. Projects are designed to be reconfigured by participants, who may perform, modify, or expand the kit in new contexts. Collaboration is central, with roles distributed among makers, performers, and organizers, and with emphasis on open access to materials and ideas.

Reception and critique: Emphasis on inclusivity and experimentation is commonly cited as a strength. Critics sometimes point to challenges in sustaining long-term collaboration, preserving authorship, and ensuring accessibility across diverse communities. Some debates address how to balance individual creativity with collective process within kit-based workflows.

Impact and examples: Kitsare has been used in gallery education, community workshops, and street performances, contributing to discussions about open-source culture and participatory aesthetics. It remains a shifting umbrella term for practices that combine making, sharing, and collective interpretation.

See also: participatory art, open-source hardware, kit-based performance, community workshops.