Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2022

After being postponed two times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 5^th edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennales is set to be inaugurated on December 23 this year.

What is Kochi-Muziris Biennale?

• The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an artist-led endeavour that provides platform for promoting the contemporary, global visual art theory and practice in India.
• It was founded in 2011 by Kerala-born, Mumbai-based artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu.
• It aims to create a new language of cosmopolitanism and modernity originating from the historic and living experience of the Kochi port, which has been a crucible of various communal identities.
• The inaugural edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale was held in 2012. It was curated by its founding members. The subsequent editions were curated by Jitish Kallat, Sudarshan Shetty and Anita Dube.

About the 2022 edition

The 2022 edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will display the works of over 90 artists from across the world in various media. It is curated by Singapore-based Indian-origin artist Shubigi Rao. The central theme for this event is “In Our Views Flow Ink and Fire”.

This four-month-long event will be organized in multiple venues in Kochi. It is expected to attract tourists from across the world. It will cover various discussions, performances and film screenings.

About art biennales

Art biennials are international-level art exhibitions that take place once in two years at a specific site. They are usually commercial enterprises that centre around a curatorial theme, unlike art fairs.

Venice Biennale is one of the oldest and most prestigious biennales in the world. It was established through a resolution by the Venice Council in 1893 to celebrate national artistic talents. The inaugural edition was organized while commemorating the silver anniversary of King Umberto and Margherita of Savoy.

The popularity of art biennales has increased over the years, with the 1900s witnessing the emergence of Biennales across the world. Bienal de São Paulo, the first non-European biennial, was instituted in 1951.

While art biennales do not permit the direct purchase of art, invitation, and participation in these exhibitions validate the artist’s work. They play a major role in asserting the artist’s role in the industry. They provide opportunities for future museum exhibitions, gallery representation and acquisitions.

Biennials, often named after the host city, are local pride. They promote cultural tourism and generate revenue for the host cities.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2022

Category: Art & Culture Current Affairs • Important Days & Events Current Affairs