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Art intrigues and imitates life as we know it and Kochi-Muziris Biennale is here to entice all art aficionados across the globe. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is Asia's biggest festival of contemporary art exhibition that showcases artists from all over the world. This grand event entails everything from art exhibitions to seminars, talks, screenings, musical programs, workshops, and several other educational activities for art lovers, that take place in one of the oldest ports in the country - Fort Kochi. Unlike any other art exhibition in the country, the Kochi Muziris Biennale exhibition lasts for five months at the coasts of Fort Kochi.
In this article you will understand what is Kochi Muziris Biennale, list of the events commencing in the five-month duration, history of the past Kochi Muziris Biennale exhibition and also about the oldest port Fort Kochi.
This is Kochi Muziris Biennale's fifth edition of their world renowned contemporary art exhibition, that is taking place after a break of four years. With this art exhibition the Kochi Muziris Biennale turns 10. This Biennale is highly anticipated as it was originally to take place in 2020, but due to unfortunate pandemic crisis it got postponed to December 2022. In this international contemporary art exhibition, you will witness an amalgamation of visually aesthetic modern art displays, interactive and immersive multimedia art. Apart from the seminars and other programmes, the Biennale will also have book launches, theatre, film, dance and musical programmes including the popular folk traditions of Kerala.
Artists from India and across the globe come to Kochi Muziris Biennale to portray modern art forms through different mediums like paintings, installations, sculptures and more. This global art event will be curated by Singapore based Indian visual artist Shubigi Rao, and this edition is called, 'In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire'. The Kochi Muziris Biennale begins on 12 December, 2022 and ends on April 10, 2023.
Around 400 art works by 350 artists from across the globe have come and portrayed their art in Kochi Muziris Biennale, since the first Kochi Muziris Biennale held in 2012.
Organizing Asia's largest art exhibition is not easy and due to unfortunate pandemic crisis, the Biennale which was originally taking place in 2020 got rescheduled to December 2022. That's why this year's Biennale edition is important, as the last Biennale took place in 2019.
Apart from this gap Kochi Muziris Biennale has a massive line-up of 80 artists and collectives and 45 new commissions. It will take place in and around Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Ernakulam, which are gorgeous landmarks in the city of Kochi. The location of this exhibition are in heritage properties which have been preserved and repurposed for exhibition. And that's why when you explore art through Kochi Muziris Biennale, you also discover several heritage sites that are a delight to wander around and learn the cultural background of Fort Kochi. Aspinwall Hall, Kashi Art Café, Pepper House, Cabral Yard and Durbar Hall are the selected heritage venues where Kochi Muziris Biennale will take place.
Another reason why you shouldn't miss the Biennale is that after attending the exhibition you can wander and explore the oldest port city in the country and absorb the historical and cultural glimpses of the city. Unlike a metro city rush, Fort Kochi has a laid back atmosphere that is the perfect space to relax as well. There are several heritage properties and cafés to explore too.
Kochi Muziris Biennale events include 'Artists' Cinema' which is a film programme that showcases art films, documentaries and feature films by filmmakers and scholars. The Master Practice Studios programme entails a workshop series that enables attendees to learn practical skills from senior artists. The next event is the Art By Children (ABC) initiative which is an educational mandate by Kochi Biennale Foundation for students and teachers. The Students Biennale programme is an education programme for college art students. The Art and Medicine is their weekly programme which promotes community engagement through live music. The next event is called 'Let's Talk' which is a forum where conversations about art and cultural practices occurs. Pepper House Residency programme allows artists from all disciplines to collaborate and work in studios spaces inside Pepper House. Last but not the least is Video Lab, which is an initiative by Tata Trust. The Video lab provides a space for experimentation using video projects based on contemporary art.
From the beginning Kochi Muziris Biennale has enticed visitors ever since the Biennale began in 2012. It began as an initiative to educate audience about contemporary modern art and transform the way art is comprehended in our society. The first edition of Biennale witnessed 200,000 visitors in 2012 and about 600,000 people visited in the third edition of Biennale held in 2016. This hike in attendance was promising for Kochi Muziris Biennale, and the journey of Asia's largest art exhibition has been a hit ever since the beginning.
The 2018 Biennale edition helped the sufferers from the unfortunate Kerala floods, by auctioning art pieces and sending the funds to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The Biennale over the years has seen plenty of artists and installations that left visitors speechless. The 'Sea of Pain' was a poetry installation by Raul Zurita, which talks about two brothers in the Syrian refugee crisis. Similarly, 'The Pyramid for Exiled Poets' by Ales Steger paid tribute to the struggles and lives of some of controversial poets.
'River of Ideas' by Chittrovanu Mazumdar shows the beauty of light. And so many more installations and paintings in the Kochi Muziris Biennale sheds light on the social, economic and political debates in our society.
The sea breeze, sound of waves crashing the shore with Chinese fish nets in the corner, Fort Kochi is truly a colonial gem. The streets of Fort Kochi still hold all memories from the Dutch and Portuguese colonial era. Even though many parts of India still have colonial influences, Fort Kochi has preserved their Dutch and Portugal colonial influences. This is also another reason why foreigners and tourist dive down South India, mostly Kerala to discover these historic streets and monuments.
Evening walks around Fort Kochi are a delight as there are plenty of things to do here. From walking along the shores of Fort Kochi beach, to exploring the Dutch spice market, visiting the Kerala Kathakali Centre and many heritage café spots, the list is of things to do never ends.
After a productive day of experiencing modern contemporary art in Kochi Biennale, there are many activities in the city for you to do. Fort Kochi is a delightful place to be in and Kochi Muziris Biennale commencing after such a gap, it is the perfect opportunity to make a trip to Kochi.
