KOCHI:The third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), one of the biggest celebrations of contemporary art in south Asia, drew to a close with a colourful function on Wednesday.
The valedictory fete was inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister A K Balan at Durbar Hall Ground.
Promising necessary financial aid for the next season he said the KMB was a rallying point against intolerance and infringement on freedom of expression. “The Biennale, which is the most popular and best attended cultural event in India, is a canvas for humanity, art and learning. The face of Kochi and Kerala has changed over the past three editions of the Biennale. The government recognises both its cultural and economic importance and will provide all support in future,” said Balan.
The four-month lineup of music, dance and other performances closed in grand style. The closing ceremony was set off by Suraj Mani and the Tattva Trip. Later, enthralling the crowd, the Thaikkudam Bridge brought their unique gender-bending rock stylings.
Earlier in the day, the Biennale pennant at main venue Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi was ceremonially brought down in the presence of a host of dignitaries.
On the sidelines of the Biennale, the KBF had organised a string of programmes, including a film festival lasting nearly 100 days featuring a series of specially curated cinema packages under the ‘Artists’ Cinema’ banner. There were also residency exhibitions, well-received ‘Let’s Talk’ lectures, ‘Art by Children’ workshops as well as mini-literature festivals and scholarly conclaves.
Running parallel to the main exhibition was the second edition of the Foundation’s flagship art education and outreach initiative, the Students’ Biennale (SB), which also closed with an awards announcement. Led by 15 emerging curators, SB 2016 featured the works of 465 students from 55 art schools across India at seven venues in Mattancherry.
Mayor Soumini Jain, former minister M A Baby, KMB 2016 curator Sudharshan Shetty, KMB co-founders Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari, District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla and others attended.