KOCHI:
The fourth edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) began today with the organisers hoisting a flag at the main venue of South Asia’s biggest contemporary art festival.
Kochi Biennale Foundation president Bose Krishnamachari and Biennale 2018 curator Anita Dube hoisted the flag for the 108-day event along with former KMB curators Jitish Kallat and Sudarshan Shetty at Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi. Art patrons from around the world attended the ceremony.
Krishnamachari, who was co-curator of the debut Biennale in 2012, welcomed the public to attend the event that concludes on March 29 next year. “I hope each one of you enjoy the works on display at this edition as well,” he said thanking the art fraternity for the love and support.
Dube expressed her pleasure in presenting the “final product” of her vision as the curator. “When I was given the responsibility of curating the festival, I began with a dream. I am happy to have accomplished it.”
The festival, spread across 10 venues in Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Ernakulam, will feature 94 artist projects presented by over 100 artists. Past curators Kallat and Shetty congratulated their successor Dube. “I am really happy to be a part of the festival, though this time as a spectator,” shared Shetty. Jitish, however, is a participating artist at this Biennale.
Aspinwall features 60 artist projects, while TKM Warehouse and Pepper House will showcase six and eight respectively. MAP and Kashi Town House will present five artist projects each, whereas Durbar Hall (Ernakulam) will have three artworks. Kasi Art Cafe and Cabral Yard (site of the Biennale Pavilion) will feature one and two artist projects each. Anand Warehouse and David Hall will have two artist projects each.
Aspinwall will double as the ticket counter. The rates are Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for students below the age of 18 years. The ticket allows three entries to Aspinwall House and one entry to all other venues. There is also a Rs 500 group ticket that allows unlimited entries for two persons at all venues for three consecutive days. Plus, there are donor passes (Rs 5,000) that allow unlimited entry to one person for all the 108 days and a welcome kit. A guided tour on request is available for Rs 3,000. The tour is of three hours for five persons or less.
This time KMB becomes the world’s first biennale to feature more women artists than men. Based on the curatorial theme of “Possibility for a Non-Alienated Life”, it seeks to explore newer access to art practices amid seminars, workshops, lectures, cinema and performances.
