Water Metro Branding Connects Biennale’s 20+ Venues Across Kochi

KOCHI:
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) has undertaken an extensive branding collaboration with the Kochi Metro Rail Limited’s Kochi Water Metro.

For the sixth edition of the Biennale, titled “For the Time Being,” three Water Metro’s ferries have been transformed into part of the festival’s visitor journey. The network now connects major art venues such as Aspinwall House, Pepper House and the Island Warehouse, allowing visitors to travel between exhibitions along the city’s waterways.

Apart from the branding, QR codes are also installed inside the boats, enabling visitors to easily access information about the Biennale venues and other relevant details. Organisers point out that the branding initiative is designed to make the commute itself part of the Biennale experience, linking more than 20 venues spread across Kochi and its surrounding islands.

The Fort Kochi Water Metro Terminal has become a hub for the Biennale’s Art By Children (ABC) initiative. The space is hosting participatory workshops, encouraging young visitors to explore art through hands-on activities. For many festival-goers, the Water Metro’s air-conditioned ferries have also become a practical and scenic link between the mainland and Fort Kochi’s heritage precinct.

Baiju Sreedhar, a visitor from Kozhikode, said the journey itself added a new dimension to the Biennale experience.

“Taking the Water Metro to reach the venues felt like stepping into the festival even before we arrived,” he said. “The ride across the backwaters creates a calm transition from the city’s rush into the world of art.”

The branding exercise also highlights the city’s efforts to promote sustainable mobility while expanding Kochi’s cultural tourism.

Abis Bishara, an expatriate visitor attending the Biennale, described the ferry routes as one of the most memorable aspects of the event.

“In many cities you move from gallery to gallery by road, but here the journey is through the water,” he said. “It makes the entire Biennale feel connected to Kochi’s landscape and history.”

The current edition of the Biennale runs from December 12, 2025 to March 31, 2026, with more than 22 venues across the region. By integrating its branding into the Water Metro network, organisers have effectively turned Kochi’s newest public transport system into a floating extension of the festival itself.