IN PHOTOS | Kochi Muziris Biennale 2022-2023 enthralls art lovers

The fifth edition of the prestigious Kochi-Muziris Biennale opened to the public on December 23, 2022. The main exhibition ‘In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire’ is curated by Singapore-based artist Shubigi Rao. It has on display the works of over 90 artists from across the globe in varied media.

Updated on:

05 Jan 2023, 2:26 pm

2 min read

The exhibition features 88 artists from around the globe in the historic Aspinwall House, Pepper House, and Anand Warehouse in Fort Kochi. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Set up by Australian artist Richard Bell as a symbol of the resistance of the Aboriginals, the Embassy (the tent pictured) calls for defence of the aboriginals the worldover. A descendant of the aboriginal tribe, 70-year-old Bell decries the owner-slave mentality which still exists in certain human minds, which should be despised. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

The ancient city of Muziris, located 30 km from Kochi, was a prosperous seaport and financial centre in the 1st Century B.C. Believed to have been washed under the sea during the 1341 AD Periyar river flood, Muziris was a key link in the Indo-Roman Empire and Indo-Greek trade routes. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

The region is unique as it is said to be home to India’s first church (Mar Thoma church), first mosque (Cheraman Juma Masjid), and the oldest European monument (Portuguese fort). (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Entry to the venues is open from 10 am to 7 pm. The ticket rate is Rs 150. Students and senior citizens are eligible for a concession, and their ticket prices are rupees 50 and 100 respectively. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

The first edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale commenced on 12th December 2012 and was set in spaces across Kochi, Muziris and surrounding islands. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Over 50 participating artists this year wrote an open letter calling out organisational failures. They wrote: 'As artists arrived for installation in the weeks and days prior to the opening, we were overwhelmed by many problems: shipments delayed in transit and at customs past the opening day; rain leaking into all the exhibition spaces, impacting equipment and artworks; a lack of steady electrical power; a shortage of equipment; and an insufficient workforce on all production teams...' The letter also called for a complete reform of the Biennale’s conduct, and the current team in charge. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, in a statement issued by Bose Krishnamachari, president of KMB, has promised to bring forth necessary “institutional reforms” with “expert feedback and plans,” a day after an open letter signed by over 50 invited global artists calling for an overhaul of the Biennale became public. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Singapore-based artist Shubigi Rao and festival curator in her opening statement said, “Returning after four years, the Biennale examines how we survive, through song, materiality, joy, humour, and language —whether written, verbal, or oral. After the states of fear, trauma and uncertain limbo of the pandemic years, it may seem strange to call for joy. Where is this optimism from? Perhaps we can sense it more tangibly in artistic and collective work in this Biennale.' (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Turkish multidisciplinary artist Alpe Aydin displayed a collection of 180 photographs of stones in the Black Sea region, creating a connection between human beings and nature. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Pictured is Goan artist Sahil Naik's installation 'All is water and to water must we return'. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Artist Archana Hande collected discarded material from across Karnataka for 'My Kottige', an installation that investigates chauvinism in society. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

Zobop by Glaswegian artist Jim Lambie, references a style of jazz called Bebop or Rebop, as it was known briefly in the 1940s. The colourful vinyl strips seamlessly covering the floor, invite the viewer to move intuitively with the stripes. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

As many as 34,561 people visited the contemporary art fest in the first 10 days since its official inauguration on December 23. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

On December 31 and January 1, around 7,272 people visited the venues. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)

The main Biennale exhibit ‘In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire’ curated by Shubigi Rao has 87 art creations belonging to artists from 40 countries. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran)