Poetry Session at KMB 2016 echoes lines of Chilean Poet Raul Zurita

Kochi, December 15: The Biennale Pavilion in Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi, reverberated with soulful renditions from legendary Chilean poet Raúl Zurita as he recited his early work ‘Song for His Disappeared Love’, which is both a poignant and subtly trenchant response to Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 brutal military coup in the South American nation.

Raúl Zurita reciting his poem at "An Evening of Poetry
 with Biennale artists" 

He was among six poets participating in an event, ‘An Evening of Poetry with Biennale Artists’, held on the sidelines of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) 2016. Ouyang Jianghe, Sergio Chejfec, Sharmistha Mohanty, Valerie Mejer Caso and Aleš Šteger were the other artists who recited their poems during the event. 

Ouyang Jianghe, a celebrated poet from China, started with one of his famous works ‘Taj Mahal Tears’. The rendition amplified the plight of the Ganga and the Taj Mahal, which is a strong and vibrant poetic reaction against modernity.

Argentinean poet Chejfec recited ‘Simple Language’. “We all are immigrants to languages. Every writer dreams to wield a simple language,” he said. 

Mohanty read a poem that was in tune with curator Sudarshan Shetty’s vision for KMB 2016: ‘Forming in the pupil of an eye’.

Mejer Caso presented the nostalgic poem, ‘From the wave the way’, with a hint of regret and longing. She later recited ‘Of the known and foretold’, which was dedicated to Zurita.

Šteger, who read out excerpts from an anthology of poetry Book of things, explained the underlying concept of the objects communicating with the human beings.

The session was moderated by Anna Deeny Morales, who also translated the poem by Zurita. 

‘Curating the Biennale has been a learning process’: Sudarshan Shetty

Kochi, December 14: The evolution of Sudarshan Shetty’s curatorial vision for Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) 2016 and its relationship to his artistic practice formed the basis of an erudite conversation between Shetty and eminent philosopher Sundar Sarukkai here on Tuesday.

Terming his curatorial impulse – as also the Biennale – a ‘work in progress’, Shetty noted that the twin processes of ‘gathering’ and ‘erasure’ were the event’s primary agencies and not his instincts as an artist. “It would be a disaster if I was to introduce myself into this mix,” he said.

 Kochi Muziris Biennale 2016 Curator Sudarshan Shetty

 in conversation with eminent philosopher Sundar Sarukkai

 at The Pavilion, Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi.

Shetty prefers to see himself as a facilitator instead, going with the flow as KMB 2016 changes organically over its duration and perhaps beyond. “I thought to side-step the image of an artist-curator as a creator or agent of knowledge and culture and become a presenter, bringing about this conversation between different art streams and traditions,” he said.

Thus, while he brought the Biennale’s divergent components together into an inclusive space, it would gather additional layers of meaning on its own – erasing parts of itself over time to make space for other things while the residuals would keep changing with the event. “I envision the Biennale as existing both as transformative space and experience,” Shetty said.

The evening discussion at the Biennale Pavilion in Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi, saw Sarukkai probe Shetty on the nature of his core curatorial premise of ‘multiplicity’. “The Biennale straddles multiple perspectives, possibilities and positions. It does not seek to question what is ‘real’ and what is ‘representational’. This layering of multiple viewpoints on reality informs ‘Forming in the pupil of an eye’, as it attempts to intertwine the conceptual with the corporeal,” Shetty said.

Riffing on Shetty’s definition of multiplicity, Sarukkai probed whether the Biennale was then ‘a process’ instead of ‘an occurrence’. Shetty said he preferred to think of it as ‘an attempt’.

“By bringing parallel disparate narratives into the story of Biennale, like a river fed by its tributaries, it attempts to negotiate the tensions that come out of the assimilation of these perspectives. This lets the Biennale accumulate meaning as it unfolds,” he said.

Coming to terms with his curatorial responsibility, though, was a long-drawn process, Shetty acknowledged. “When I was first thinking about my idea for the Biennale, I thought it would be an extension of my own practice. Over the past year, there was this need to look outside, to get into new spaces, to bring in new ideas and also to reflect on who my audience is,” he said.

This ‘need’ compelled Shetty to search for ways to bring in to the biennale space people, forms and practices that are seemingly outside it: poetry recitals, mobile lecture tours, architecture, dance performances and theatre productions, among others.

The result of that search has been the inclusion of the diverse forms and approaches to art production that has come to characterise the third edition of India’s only Biennale. 

KBF to take Indian artists for foreign art residency programmes

Kochi, Dec 13: Taking a next big leap, Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) will facilitate the Indian artists to participate in foreign art residency programmes. 

Visitors exploring  works of artists who have participated in the Pepper House  Art Residency programme at Mandalay Hall in Mattancherry.

KBF Secretary Riyas Komu made the announcement while inaugurating the exhibition of works by artists who participated in the KBF residency programmes at Mandalay Hall here.  

KBF, in association with Pepper House along with Kiran Nadar Museum, Goethe Institute, Prohelvetia andPiramal Foundation,  has been organising art residency programmes in Kochi  during the past two years.

 “We have been  receiving good response from other countries for our art Residency project right from the beginning.  Many artists from abroad came down to Kochi and displayed their work. As a next step, we will send Indian artists, who will have a short stay in foreign counties and imbibe the culture of the town and display their art work there,” said Komu.

Visitors exploring  works of artists who have participated in the Pepper House  Art Residency programme at Mandalay Hall in Mattancherry.

He also added that the project will enable the Indian artists to have a wider exposure to international art practices, besides enhancing their artistic skills.

The KBF initiative aims to create a space for expression and dialogue for artists and provide them a platform to establish and explore new possibilities.

Works of Sabine Schründer, Deepa K, Sunanda Bhat, Anja Kempe, Peter Bialobrzeski, Hans-Christian Schink, Jigesh Kumar, Augustin Rebetez, Santhosh Kalbande, Victor Hazra, Mo Reda, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim and Mohammed Kazem are on display at Mandalay Hall. 

Biennale brings 2014 edition online on Google Arts & Culture

Foundation partners with Google Cultural Institute to offer virtual tour of KMB 2014

Kochi, December 11: As curtains go up on the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) here on 12/12/16, art enthusiasts around the world will receive access to an immersive virtual tour of the exhibits and panoramic imagery at KMB 2014.

With the Kochi Biennale Foundation entering into a partnership with the Google Cultural Institute, the highlights and delights of ‘Whorled Explorations’, the Biennale’s second edition, can be relived at the Google Arts & Culture project.

Among the included experiences is the chance to ‘go back in time’ and move around 11 locations in Fort Kochi, Ernakulam and Mattancherry, including the eight KMB 2014 venues, through the ‘Street View’ feature. Visitors can select and explore in detail the works that interest them through an exhaustive collection of high-resolution images.

“By capturing the sites and settings of the artworks presented at the previous edition of the Biennale in 2014, this project will allow those who were unable to be there to experience what makes KMB the largest and most eagerly anticipated celebrated of contemporary art in South Asia. As well, for those of us who were fortunate to have been able to visit last time, the virtual tour is a chance to retrace our steps,” KMB 2016 curator Sudarshan Shetty said.

At KMB 2014, specially designed Street View ‘trolley’ and ‘trekker’ took 360 degree images of selected locations, which were then stitched together to enable seamless navigation of the spaces and sites captured.

In addition, users can discover 11 interactive virtual exhibits, specially curated by the Kochi Biennale Foundation. The digital exhibitions tell the story of the artworks presented at various sites in Aspinwall House, Durbar Hall, Cabral Yard, Pepper House, CSI Bungalow, David Hall, Kashi Art Gallery and Vasco da Gama Square.

Examples of the pieces featured in the online exhibition include Yoko Ono’s postcard exhibit ‘Earth Piece’, installations such as ‘Erasure’ by Vietnamese artist Dinh Q Lê and Sahej Rahal’s ‘Harbinger’, among a host of other thought-provoking artworks. 

“The KMB seeks to invoke the cosmopolitan legacy of Kochi. The 2014 edition of the Biennale received five lakh visitors from all over the world. With this partnership, the Biennale will be experienced by more people in more places than ever before,” said Riyas Komu, KMB co-founder and Director of Programmes.

About Google Arts & Culture 

Google Arts & Culture is a new, immersive way to experience art, history, culture and world wonders from over a thousand organisations worldwide. Google Arts & Culture has been created by the Google Cultural Institute and it is available for free for everyone on the web, on iOS and Android. 

For more information, visit google.com/culturalinstitute.

Mapping Fort Kochi through its people, heritage, culture, food

Sahapedia, Kochi Muziris Biennale tie-up for ‘culture map’ detailing over 150 locales

Kochi, Dec 11:  The historic port town of Fort Kochi being a magnet for tourists and now home to India’s only art biennale, it is not unusual to sight visitors poring over handheld maps to get around; but now they have a smarter and more informative alternative.

An interactive map crafted by Sahapedia, a unique online portal documenting India’s cultural heritage, gives visitors an intimate experience of the town’s famed connections to the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, the Chinese, the Arabs and others though the memories and perspectives of people who have lived here.

Sahapedia has collaborated with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale to put together the map with details of over 150 sites and practices - cultural centres, heritage sites, lifestyles, places of worship, public spaces and public institutions - in Fort Kochi and nearby Mattancherry.

The project  www.culturalmapping.in/fortkochi,  is scheduled to go live on December 13 at the Biennale and can be accessed on phone, tablet or computer for discerning visitors who are keen to discover the rich cultural landscape of this historic trade town.

“Kochi is a place with great creativity, great history, great art and heritage. Fort Kochi was the gateway to India from people around the world who visited, did trade and some of them even settled down here and got married and became a part of the place. It became an ideal place for us to start this fascinating project of cultural mapping,” says Dr Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Sahapedia.

Neha Paliwal, Director, Projects, Sahapedia, says the map is not just intended for visitors from outside but also for locals who may want to record their experiences and perspectives of their hometown online for future generations.

“People don't realise the wondrous diversity of communities in the small area of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. There are more than 30 communities living here, speaking a variety of languages and following different customs and religions. The idea for the map is to get the locals to articulate their sense of their community and offer a space as well for visitors to go beyond touristy places and perhaps provoke them into exploring some of these places,” she says.

Conceived last summer, the one-of-a-kind’ project got off the ground three months ago. Equipped with an in-house mobile app, a three-member team from Sahapedia spread out over Fort Kochi and its neighbouring areas, recording information about the basic structures, public institutions, places of worship and tourist locations, among others.

The database includes quick facts about various places, basic amenities, how to get there, etc while detailed descriptions include historical references and anecdotes.

The culture map adds a more intimate dimension to the travel experience by adding resources such as bite-sized videos recording memories and perspectives of well-known personalities like cartoonist E P Unny, who has penned a book on Fort Kochi, and author N S Madhavan, whose novel (Lanthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal), set in this area, was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize.

Photographs, including from the biennale exhaustive collection, are also included in the map; as are vintage illustrated maps from the Dutch and the British period and clippings of newspaper articles associated with the two places.

“This project is like a kick-off point for us. We would definitely want it to go beyond and start a dialogue and create a heritage record,” says Paliwal.

The ‘evergreen project’ according to Dr Gopalakrishan is a “work in progress”, and also one that she hopes to extend to other historical cities across the country.

The cultural map is a logical extension for Sahapedia (http://www.sahapedia.org/), which was launched in April this year as an ever-growing open online resource on the arts, cultures and heritage of India.  

Students’ Biennale to exhibit works of 470 art students from 55 schools

Second edition of year-long KBF outreach initiative to culminate in exhibition opening Dec 13 

Kochi, December 10: The Students’ Biennale (SB), an art education initiative unparalleled in India in scope and ambit – will feature the works of around 470 aspiring artists from 55 schools across the country in an exhibition that runs parallel to Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016.

Hon. Minister for Education Prof. C. Raveendranath will inaugurate SB 2016, the second edition of the Kochi Biennale Foundation’s flagship art outreach effort, with an opening ceremony at 11.00 am on Tuesday, December 13, at The Biennale Pavilion in Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi.

The SB, which is second only to the Biennale in terms of scale and reach, will be on till March 29 next year. It is run in collaboration with the Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) and the Foundation for Indian Art and Education (FIAE) and is supported by Tata Trusts. 

Driven by 15 emerging curators, the project reaches out to art schools throughout India, to encourage art students to reflect on their practices and showcase their works on an international stage.

Speaking at a press conference here today, KBF President Bose Krishnamachari said, “With the Students’ Biennale running in concurrence with KMB 2016, the exhibiting students and presenting curators have the perfect avenue to showcase their works to an audience of roughly half a million people over its near four month long duration. The SB will channel the energies of the Biennale platform into the Indian art education system, challenging students to go beyond the constraints imposed by both curriculum and exhibition.” 

While the immediate objective is to expose its participants to the processes that go into making and presenting a world class art event, the SB is also an opportunity to acquire skills to pursue a career in the contemporary art world.

The SB 2016 curators are: Adwait Singh, Aryan, Ajit Kumar, Faiza Hasan, C.P. Krishnapriya, Harshita Bathwal, Naveen Mahantesh, Noman Amouri, Paribartana Mohanty, Rajyashree Goody, Sarojini Lewis, Shatavisha Mustafi, Shruti Ramlingiah, Sumitra Sunder and Vivek Chockalingam.

They were selected in November 2015 from amongst hundreds of aspirants by a panel of project mentors that included Krishnamachari, KMB Director of Programmes Riyas Komu, Education Consultant Meena Vari and FICA Director Vidya Shivadas.

Over the course of the year, they reached out to 45 government and 10 private art schools – about three-four schools per curator – across India, conducting institution visits, organising workshops and interventions, and interacting with BFA and MFA students. 

“The exhibition will be the culmination of their individual journeys, research, insights and interests. But the SB is more than just spotlighting art production. Its significance lies in the building of learning spaces and niches of creativity between the academic and the professional worlds. In the long term, it is expected to mature into a space to explore the diversity of styles and assess the infrastructural challenges within the Indian art education system,” Komu said. 

The SB counts as education partners, Sher-Gil Sundaram Arts, Raza Foundation and Gallery Espace, and features collaborations with such prestigious arts bodies as Asia Art Archive and Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council.

The student curators of SB 2016 had access to an expert advisory team including Sudhir Patwardhan in Mumbai, Jeebesh Bagchi, Shukla Sawant and Belinder Dhanoa in Delhi, Sarada Natarajan in Hyderabad, Rakhi Peswani in Bangalore, Siva Kumar in Santiniketan, Indrapramit Roy, Akkhitam Vasudevan and B.V. Suresh in Vadodara.

SB 2016 will be presented across seven venues in the historic Mattancherry - Jew Town area of Fort Kochi: M.K. Trades, Kotachery Brothers & co., Arjuna Art Gallery, Heritage Arts, Mattancherry Temple Property, Mohammed Ali Warehouse and Fadi Hall.

The press conference was attended by KMB 2016 curator Sudarshan Shetty, KBF CEO Manju Sara Rajan as well as a number of KBF Trustees, including Sunil V and Bonny Thomas.

‘KMB 2016 to be a dialogue between multiple perspectives and possibilities’: Sudarshan Shetty

Curatorial vision for and expectations of Biennale’s third edition outlined in run-up to 12/12/16

Kochi, December 10: On Monday, 12/12/16, the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) will get underway, setting off 108 days of the largest and most anticipated celebration of contemporary art in South Asia.

Titled ‘Forming in the pupil of an eye’, KMB 2016 will feature the performances and production of 97 artists from 31 countries. Of the 36 Indians on the list, eight are from Kerala. The line-up is a mixture of styles, disciplines and sensibilities with writers, dancers, poets, musicians and theatre professionals sharing the Biennale space alongside a host of visual artists.

Expanding on his artistic vision at a press conference here today, KMB 2016 curator Sudarshan Shetty said, “The eye is the only reflective organ in the body. It reflects as much back into the world as it takes. ‘Forming in the pupil of an eye’ is not an image of one reality, but a reflection of multiple realities and of multiple possibilities in time. My curatorial approach was shaped therefore as a conversation between different streams and forms of art practice. This Biennale is intended as a dialogue between multiple perspectives and possibilities as it evolves within the space and through the duration of the Biennale and beyond.”

“In aid of this, there are art projects this year that will involve spaces and individuals not traditionally associated with the Biennale. For example, Latvian artist Voldemars Johansons has changed the horn sounds on a number of auto rickshaws making them ambassadors of the Biennale as they drive around the city while Argentine writer Sergio Chejfec is writing a 88-chapter novel while moving through Kochi,” Shetty added.

The media gathering also heard from KMB co-founders Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu as well as Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) CEO Manju Sara Rajan. A number of KBF Trustees, including Sunil V. and Bonny Thomas, were in attendance as well.

Thanking the state government for its patronage of India’s only Biennale, Krishnamachari said, “The KMB is fortunate to enjoy the resolute support of the Government of Kerala. We are honoured to have the Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurate the third edition of what has become a Kerala institution. We look forward to welcoming the public to their Biennale over the next four months.”

Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will officially declare KMB 2016 open at a ceremony to be held at 6.30 pm on Monday in Parade Ground, Fort Kochi. Prior to the evening function, there will be a flag hoisting at primary venue Aspinwall House, which will signal the grand opening.

“Kochi is today a pilgrimage site for art. Our stated mandate, as the People’s Biennale, is to take art out to the public and to more art spaces more inclusive. The KBF is the biggest art organisation in India to be officially empanelled to receive funding for education initiatives. The only way to thank the Government of Kerala, our highly committed corporate, cultural, diplomatic and individual patrons and partners is to keep getting better,” Komu said.

He also thanked the small army of support personnel, including masons, welders, carpenters, electricians and head load workers as well as their respective trade unions, which has extended its support to help bring out KMB 2016. 

The main exhibition — spread across 12 venues in Fort Kochi-Mattancherry and Ernakulam —will be supported by an ancillary programme of events that includes the Students’ Biennale, conversations, talks, seminars, the Art By Children and the Pepper House Residency exhibitions, workshops, Artists’ Cinema and music sessions, among other activities.

The venues for KMB 2016 are Aspinwall House, Cabral Yard, Pepper House, David Hall, Durbar Hall, Kashi Art Café, Kashi Art Gallery, M.A.P. Project Space, Anand Warehouse, T.K.M. Warehouse, Cochin Club and Kottapuram Fort.

Story of an artwork: P.K. Sadanandan on preparing his mural for KMB 2016

Renowned muralist offers insight into the work-intensive practice behind his Biennale production

Kochi, December 8: The first thing visitors to P.K. Sadanandan’s workspace at Aspinwall House are struck by is the sheer scale of the celebrated muralist’s newest piece, which will be presented at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale starting next week.

 PK Sadanandan gathers the colour Black from the 

soot that accumulates in a clay that has been kept 

atop a burning lamp for a week

Begun as soon as the first planks went up at the Biennale’s main venue in October, the in situmural covering – measuring 15m x 3m – is intended to be a work in progress over KMB 2016’s nearly four-month run. Both the production and its preparation are a study in meticulousness.

It began with the methodical creation of his colours. He sourced his black from the soot that accumulates in a clay pot that had been placed over a burning oil lamp for a week. For his red and yellow, he manually ground down saffron and yellow arsenic stones respectively – adding water to the powders to create paste. Laterite stones were ground for his yellow ochre, a slight hue variant of yellow.

He manually ground down saffron stones for his

 red colour, adding water to the powder to create paste

“Since I don’t use chemically-derived dyes, it takes a lot of research work to identify the natural materials to derive the exact shades and colours I require. The identified materials are then treated at different levels before they are used on the wall. It takes two-three weeks to get the colours ready to use,” Sadanandan said.   

Known for his elaborate works and dedication to reviving the traditional art of mural painting, the city-based artist has evolved a practice that combines local teachings in Kerala with styles from across India, taking cues from the ancient cave paintings in Ajanta and Ellora. 

“Though mural painting is a traditional art practice, I blend it with more contemporary forms,” he said. The predominant blue in his works is one notable difference from the traditional Kerala mural style where red is the principal colour. 

 Laterite stones manually ground down provided one hue of yellow

In keeping with his oeuvre, however, Sadanandan’s mural at the Biennale features icons and narratives inspired by mythology, encased within natural elements and organic world. 

“My subject has great significance when considering the present scenario on caste hegemony and issues pertaining in contemporary Indian society. This art work will evolve during the period of the Biennale,” he said. 

PK Sadanandan in the early stages of his mural painting

Manju Sara Rajan appointed Kochi Biennale Foundation CEO

First woman CEO of KBF will oversee Kochi Muziris Biennale and other Foundation activities

Kochi, Nov 20: The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has named Manju Sara Rajan as its CEO, after the board of trustees, including Foundation President Bose Krishnamachari and Secretary Riyas Komu, approved the appointment last week.

Manju Sara Rajan

Significantly, the top two KBF administrative posts, that of CEO and CFO, are now held by women at the groundbreaking art institution, which hosts the country’s largest art exhibition, the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB). The new CEO’s posting comes ahead of the third edition of the three month-long Kochi Muziris Biennale 2016, scheduled to begin on December 12. 

"South Asia's largest biennale, the 'People's biennale' will now be run by the young and bright Manju,” said Bose. “The board of trustees of the KBF has observed her work at the Foundation over the last few months, and we noticed her commitment, passion, and creative and administrative ability, all of which cemented the decision to invite Manju to become the CEO of our cultural family. Her journalistic and creative writing skills along with her local, regional and international experience will bring an important dimension to KMB and make this a stronger organisation."

Manju, 38, joined KBF as communications director in February. She is backed by a journalism degree from Sydney’s Macquarie University and over a decade’s experience of working in premier media houses, including Time magazine’s Asia edition in Hong Kong, and is the founding editor of AD Architectural Digest India.

As CEO, she will oversee the creative, financial and administrative management of various KBF activities, including its outreach and educational programmes. 

 “Manju’s appointment marks the formation of a formidable team that can take the foundation's activities forward with great wisdom. She will be supported by the CFO, Treessa Jaifer, who has been managing finance since the beginning of the foundation," said Riyas. He also noted that Manju, “a people's person” brings great awareness about contemporary art practices.

“KBF is a pioneering institution whose activities I have watched with great admiration over the last four years,” said Manju. “I was thrilled to become a part of the organisation earlier this year, and to work as the Director of Communications for the upcoming Biennale on 12/12/16. To now to be given this immense mandate as the CEO of the organisation is a huge honour and responsibility, but we have an experienced, enthusiastic team, so I’m looking forward to working with them in a whole new way.”