What Every Kochiites Should Know About The Kochi Muziris Biennale 2016
- 06 Dec 2016
- Sunaya
- Features
Words by Rheanna Mathews
What it is
Taking its name from Italian and modelled after the original Venice Biennale, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) is an international exhibition of contemporary art, held every other year with installations at various heritage buildings in Fort Kochi-Mattancherry and Ernakulam. This is the third edition of the KMB.
Theme :
Forming in the pupil of an eye
This year’s theme was chosen to bring to focus the fluid notions of making and performance, of imagination, multiplicity and tradition; to make one ponder the process of creation and the forces that shape it, to search for a way to look at things. The mythic notion of the 'land of seven rivers' has lent the flowing imagery that underlies this year's theme. Tradition is the core focus of this biennale which explores the multiplicity of perspectives when it comes to tradition in a changing, yet continuous society such as ours.
Curator :
Sudarshan Shetty
An artist of international fame, Shetty was born in Mangalore but is based in Chembur, Mumbai. He has held exhibitions, solo and otherwise, the world over, most notably at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, the Tate Modern and La Centre Pompidouand. This edition of the KMB shall be his first curatorial venture.
Kerala’s Own At KMB 2016
There are 36 Indian artists from across the country participating in the Biennale, including works by master cartoonist E.P. Unny, a native of Palakkad and eminent Malayalam litterateur Anand, originally from Thrissur.
Artists to look out for
1. Raul Zurita
Chile
Poet
Work of Art : Purgatorio
2. Orijit Sen
India
Graphic Artist and Designer
Work of Art : The Disappearing Tiger
3. Achraf Touloub
Morocco
Artist, Sculptor
Work of Art : Landscape Stream Series
4. Camille Norment
USA
Multi media artist
Work of Art : Triplight
5. Charles Avery
Scotland
Artist
Work of Art : The Islanders
6. Caroline Duchatelet
France
Installation Artist, Sculptor
Work of Art : Exposure
7. Avinash Veeraraghavan
India
Artist
Work of Art : Crazy Jane and Jack the Journey Man
Venues
The main exhibition of this edition of the Kuchi-Muziris Biennale shall be spread across 11 venues in Fort Kochi-Mattancherry and Ernakulam.The following are some of the venues included in the list for KMB 2016. To know more about the venues, stay tuned to our follow up story.
Aspinwall House
Cabral Yard
Pepper House
David Hall
Kashi Art Cafe
Durbar Hall
Dutch Warehouse
Other Events
Students’ Biennale: Curated by 15 young artists, a platform for BFA and MFA students.
History Now Conversations: Conversations initiated between various speakers on a range of contemporary issues.
Art by Children: Artwork produced by children at workshops conducted at 100 schools across Kerala, the first of its kind in India.
Arts + Medicine: Performances integrating visual arts and music to enrich the lives of patients.
Artists’ Cinema: Talks, workshops and a curated film festival showcasing diverse genres of moving images.
Music of Muziris: An international music programme featuring performances by musicians, young and old, emerging and established.
Video Lab: Innovative video projects on art, artists and art practices in an initiative supported by Tata Trusts.
Master Practice Studios: Workshops designed for intensive learning and exchange between aspiring artists or students of art and professional artists.
Let’s Talk Series: Talks and seminars by exceptionally remarkable people from various fields including the KMB’s participant artists, historians, writers, curators and activists, all gathered in the city.
