Kochi-Muziris Biennale - A curtain Raiser
A global art is set to turn a new leaf with the opening of the second edition
of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) with a focus on works that quirkily or straight
narrate the region's legends and realities vis-a-vis the rest of the world.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2014 beginning from Dec 12 will continue
for three months and is aimed at creating a platform for contemporary art in
India. The biennale will see artists from across the world converging here,
and organisers hope that the event will offer Indian artists an international
platform. Contemporary visual art mediums - including painting, sculpture, indoor
and outdoor installation, film, digital media and performance art - would all
find expression at the event. 'Whorled Explorations' featuring 100 artworks
by 94 artists across India and globe is the central exhibition of the 108-day
extravaganza, which also revels in parallel shows hosting the ancient country's
traditional yet evolving music, dance, percussion, theatre and ballet besides
cinema, a series of seminars and lectures by scholars around the globe.
While a string of simultaneous exhibitions, stage programmes
and interactive sessions will grace locations in the city and suburbs besides
the neighbouring Thrissur district, which is often referred as Kerala's cultural
capital. The Kochi Biennale Foundation, which is organising the event relies
on both governmental and private funding, is playing out the main show curated
by Mumbai-based artist Jitish Kallat in eight venues here.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will open this event Friday after a 90-minute
"Pandi Melam" - ethnic ensemble comprising 300 artists on chenda drum
besides cymbals, pipes and horns.
As per Artistic director of Biennale, Jithesh Kallat, the 2014 KMB would prompt
the visitor to re-think our world from the vantage point of Kerala,
Gulammohammed Sheikh, Akbar Padamsee, K.G. Subramayan, Dayanita Singh, N. Pushpamala,
Navjot Altaf, Sudhir Patwardhan, N.S. Harsha, Gigi Scaria and Valsan Koorma
Kolleri are some of Indian artists who will grace the event.
International participants include Anish Kapoor, Xu Bing, Mona Hatoum, Adrian
Paci and Yoko Ono.
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