KOCHI:
The interplay of narrative between six distinctive artworks set the tone for a guided walk through today of TKM Warehouse in Mattancherry – one of the 12 venues for the ongoing third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB).
The quiet space houses the works of KMB 2016 participating artists Alicja Kwade, Endri Dani, Aki S
asamoto, Alex Seton and T.V. Santhosh. The ‘Art Walk’, conducted by trained interpreters, took an enthusiastic crowd through the insights and background behind the individual pieces.
The evening tour culminated in a talk by Seton on the intent and inspiration of his marble sculpture ‘Refuge’. Depicting an emergency blanket draped around a hollow space in the shape of a quivering figure, Seton said the work is rooted in the international refugee crisis – in particular the treacherous journey undertaken by ‘boat people’ in search of safer shores.
“The term refugee has a negative connotation today and it should not because asylum seekers, migration and displacement have been constants throughout human history. We could all have been refugees but for circumstance,” he said.
Noting that his practice plays off of contemporary global issues mostly within an Australian context, the Sydney-based artist said he had been inspired by the real-world relevance of works exhibited at the Biennale.
“I’m thinking of co-opting some of the narratives I have been able to witness into my art practice. Given the multiplicity of perspectives at the Biennale, the scope for evolution of the artworks over its duration is tremendous,” Seton said.
The other works on display at TKM Warehouse are Kwade’s exhibit ‘Out of Ousia’, the ‘CM 182 2016’ portraits by Dani, Sasamoto’s performance-based installation ‘Random Memo Random’ and two works, ‘The Protagonist and Folklore of Justice’ and ‘History Lab’ by Santhosh.
“It is wonderful to have the opportunity to not only experience world-
class, incredibly relevant works at the Biennale, but also the chance to understand the thinking and logic behind them,” said KMB co-founder Bose Krishnamachari.
