Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition which focuses on contemporary art. It is hosted in the city of Kochi in Kerala state of India. The exhibition is organised in spaces across Kochi, Muziris and surrounding islands. Kochi-Muziris Biennale gives opportunities to Indian and international artists to showcase their artworks across a variety of mediums including movies, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art. The aim of Kochi-Muziris Biennale is to invoke the historic cosmopolitan legacy of the modern metropolis of Kochi, and its mythical predecessor, the ancient port of Muziris.
History of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
The idea of Kochi-Muziris Biennale was conceived in the year 2010. In the month of May in 2010, the then culture minister of Kerala, M.A Baby approached Mumbai based contemporary artists of Kerala origin to start an international art project in the state. Bose and Riyas came with the idea of a Biennale in Kochi on the lines of the Venice Biennale.
The first Kochi-Muziris Biennale kick-started on 12 December 2012. The biennale provided platform to 80 artists with nearly 50 percent foreign artists, site-specific works and a sustained education programme in the three months. The inaugural edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale ran for 96 days till March 13, 2013. The programme was curated by artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale has received support in the form of donation from various people and organisations. Google, the Jindals of Jindal Steel and Power Limited, the late Kerala Congress leader T.M. Jacob, R.K. Krishna Kumar of Tata group, Jayanta Matthews of Malayala Manorama and the businessman Shibu Mathai have all donated.
Sites for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale
The shows and exhibitions were held in existing galleries and halls, and site-specific installations in public spaces, heritage buildings and disused structures. The sites for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale were Aspinwall House, David Hall, Pepper House, Moidu`s Heritage, Durbar Hall, Cabral Yard, Parade Ground, Fort Kochi beach, Kashi Art Gallery, Jew Town Road Godown, Rose Street Bungalow, and Cochin Club.
Other Activities of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Along with the art exhibition, it offers a rich programme of talks, seminars, screenings, music, workshops and educational activities to enrich the school children and students.
