Subhashini Ali, KVS Manian Visit Kochi Biennale

KOCHI:
Former Lok Sabha member Subhashini Ali and Federal Bank Managing Director and CEO KVS Manian, these people were among the guests who visit the biennale today and both of them observed that the exhibition brings shared human experiences to the forefront while thoughtfully engaging with social and environmental issues.

“This is my third visit to the Biennale, and I’m happy to see an international art event of this scale being held in Kerala,” noted Ali, a senior leader of the CPI(M).

“Much of the work on display addresses basic questions of the human condition, dealing with tragedy, humanity, and empathy towards suffering,” she observed.

She also lauded the role played by the state government in sustaining the Biennale and highlighted the importance of providing space for artists from Kerala, many of whom are now gaining recognition at a global level.

Ali pointed out that several artworks draw attention to how processes such as industrial production and resource extraction often presented as development can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and the environment.

Referring to the late artist Vivan Sundaram, she said one of his final works at the Biennale used photographs and graphic elements to address the tragedy of Kashmir and the lived experiences of its people.

She also pointed to the works dealing with the Kolar gold fields, a collateral exhibition titled ‘Like Gold — Ponn Poley’curated by Murtaza Vali and presented by the UAE-based Rizq Art Initiative, which examine environmental destruction and the collapse of livelihoods after extraction of resources.

“Such a Biennale could not exist anywhere else in India, and I’m happy to see large numbers of young people from Kerala engaging with the exhibition,” she remarked.

The Biennale has also attracted other notable visitors, including Artist NS Harsha, KVS Manian, Managing Director & CEO, Federal Bank, Ravinder Reddy, sculptor and who have praised the exhibition for its thought-provoking themes and impressive curation.

The diversity of art presented here is impressive,” said Manian. “The Biennale is a magnet for local and foreign tourists, showcasing art and promoting cultural exchange.”

Manian highlighted notable works, including Kulpreet Singh’s at Anand Warehouse and Nari Ward’s ‘Divine Smiles’. He praised the innovative use of spaces like Willingdon Island and the vibrant atmosphere at Aspinwall.

“A truly memorable experience,” Manian remarked. “I wish I had planned for more time to explore.”