Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016: From Kochi with love

Fort Kochi exudes a certain romanticism, maybe it is the beauty of the Arabian sea neighbouring it, or the old narrow lanes that are constantly jostling for a place with the new. It is the amalgamation of many elements that lends Fort Kochi its distinctiveness. No wonder then that one of the biggest art festivals of India, the Kochi Biennale is held here. The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) is a non-profit charitable organisation that aims to promote art and culture in India, and one of their numerous initiatives include hosting the Kochi Muziris Biennale. The Biennale that usually lasts for three months  – December to March – comprises the artworks of some of the world’s best artists. One of the principle functions of the Biennale is to allow public access to contemporary international and Indian art. Artists from various parts of the world including Iran, Russia, Bangladesh, and Lebanon, among others, are invited to showcase their work, many of which are both informative and emotional in their presentation.   

 

This edition of Kochi Biennale saw the presence of artists like Sunil Padwal who used old scrap papers and documents to make lovely pieces of art. On display was his rendition of Mumbai, which beautifully captured the daily struggles of living in the metropolis. Another artist capturing many an eyeball was P.K Sadanand, from Kerala, who is known for reviving and restoring mural paintings. His artwork, a painting that covers an entire wall started and ended with the festival. One of the most striking works belonged to AES+F, a group of five Russian artists who gave a new yet extremely creepy twist to the concept of death.
The Kochi Biennale is indeed a place that is incomparable in its content and presentation. 

Here’s a sneak peak into one of India’s most loved art festivals.