KOCHI:
Only 100 days remain till the beginning of the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), South Asia’s largest and longest contemporary art extravaganza, on 12/12/16.
In the coming days of September, the Kochi Biennale Foundation will declare the title of KMB ’16, the intent and vision of its curator—acclaimed artist Sudarshan Shetty, and reveal the artists to be featured during the B
iennale’s 108-day run till March 29 next year.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), an artist-led non-profit institution founded by artists Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari in 2010. Since its inception,the Biennale has established itself as a catalyst for artistic engagement and dialogue in India, becoming a repository of ideas and ideologies, an occasion to re-imagine both past and present, and reflect upon the notions of diversity and cosmopolitanism as represented by the multiplicity of Kochi itself.
Previous editions, in 2012 and 2014, had a combined draw of nearly a million visitors. KMB’16 is poised to add substantially to that total.
The Biennale is rooted in the diversity and multicultural history of its site, and influenced by the spirit and architecture of its location in the heart of Kochi’s heritage precinct. KMB utilises 5,00,000 sq. ft. of art space in venues that include grand heritage properties located in the city and along the waterfront.
The largest and primary setting in Fort Kochi is Aspinwall House, a sea-facing heritage property made up of a variety of structures, including offices, warehouses and a residential bungalow. Aspinwall House has been loaned to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale by DLF Limited in association with the Gujral Foundation.
Other venues include the historic Durbar Hall in Ernakulam, renovated by the KBF; David Hall, a restored Dutch bungalow in Fort Kochi; and Pepper House, a historic spice godown with Dutch-style clay roofs and a large courtyard, which is now used as exhibition space and artist residency studios.
Many of these grand heritage properties located on the Kochi waterfront are only open to the public during this city-wide celebration of art.
