The Kochi Muziris Biennale 2022-2023 is a biennial international contemporary art exhibition that runs for four months on the island of Fort Kochi in Kerala. Get immersed in modern art forms from Indian and International artists portrayed through various mediums like contemporary art paintings, sculptures, installations and more.The Fifth Edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will be curated by world-renowned Indian visual artist Shubigi Rao. This is an exciting opportunity to see Rao’s work on display in her home country of India.The Biennale will take place from December 12th, 2022 to April 10th, 2023.Kochi-Muziris Biennale, founded in 2011, is India’s first biennial of international contemporary art. It is unique to India’s current reality—its political, social and artistic landscape. The biennale began as a government initiative, when the Department of Cultural Affairs of Government of Kerala approached two artists—Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari—to help organize an international platform for art in India. The challenge was proportionate to the ambition of the project.
Major Programs
1.Master Practice Studios
The Master Practice Studios programme is a series of workshops that give practitioners the chance to work for an extended period under the guidance of senior artists and with other peers. Not only do artists get the opportunity to develop and improve their own individual practices, but they also learn practical skills that will come in handy for future collaborative projects under the wing of established names in the arts.
2.Art By Children
The Art By Children (ABC) initiative develops the educational mandate of the Kochi Biennale Foundation and works primarily with children, but also with teachers and parents. ABC includes workshops in schools as part of the Art Room programme, special exhibition activities, including guided tours, for school-children during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the internet-based Learning At Home programme and the annual summer camp in Fort Kochi. All of these initiatives are aimed at helping children learn about and engage with art in fun and interactive ways. ABC also provides resources and support for teachers and parents so that they can continue to encourage a love of learning and creativity in their children long after the Biennale has ended.Art Room is the principal programme of ABC. This workshops programme began with one school in Mattancheri in 2017 and has expanded to seven schools in Kochi and adjoining regions. Here, one room in each of the participant schools becomes a dedicated ‘art room’ available for children throughout. The art rooms are activated weekly by the ABC team through workshops for children. Also part of the programme is a community Art Room at Pepper House, which will be available for workshops for school-children from all schools in the Fort Kochi-Mattancheri region.
3.Artists’ Cinema
The Artists’ Cinema, a film program running in parallel to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, showcases a wide range of art films, documentaries, and feature films from all over the world. The packages are curated by filmmakers and film scholars, making it a great event for anyone interested in cinema!
4.Video Lab
The KBF Video Lab is an initiative supported by Tata Trusts that allows for experimentation and research to be conducted through innovative video projects on contemporary art, artists, and art practices. This is a space for creativity and imagination to come together to produce new and original ideas.
5.Pepper House Residency
The Pepper House Residency programme is designed to support artists from all disciplines by offering them a studio space to work and collaborate in at Pepper House in Fort Kochi. The residency is based on the idea of a three-dimensional approach to creativity, which means that artists are not only supported in their artistic practice, but also in public interaction and inquiry.
6.Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk is a public conversation forum which contemplates and discusses art and cultural practices. Running throughout the year, it concentrates during the time of the Biennale exhibition. Around 40 talks and conferences are organised each year. Thinkers, artists, and scholars including Ashis Nandy, Bracha Ettinger, Paul Wong, Gautam Bhan, and Guerrilla Girls have spoken as part of the platform.
After or before visiting the Kochi Biennale, you can visit other attractions in Fort Kochi to make the most of your trip. Here are a few things you can do while you’re here:
Fort Kochi Beach The beach located in Fort Kochi is a must-visit spot if you’re ever in the area – it’s just like any other beach but with its own unique features that set it apart from the rest. What’s especially cool about this particular beach are the Chinese fishing nets which are a popular spot for tourists and families alike. The energy is always positive and welcoming, making it a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty.
St. Francis Church The church is most well-known for being the original burial site of Vasco Da Gama in 1524, and because of this, it holds a great deal of historical significance to the Portuguese people. Although his remains have since been moved to Lisbon, the church is still worth visiting because of its involvement in such an important time in Portugal’s history.
kathakali Centre While you’re in Kerala, be sure to check out the Kathakali – the state’s traditional form of art. Kathakali is a unique storytelling experience that has been captivating audiences for over four centuries.
Go for a Walk There’s no better way to get to know a city than by strolling around and taking everything in. The streets of Fort Kochi are charming, with their cobblestone roads and buildings that reflect the city’s Dutch and Portuguese influences. You’ll also get a sense of the cultural clashes that make the city so unique, all while getting some exercise in! So put on your walking shoes and explore the nooks and crannies of Fort Kochi – you never know what you’ll discover.
Dutch Spice Market Jew Town market is a must-visit for anyone interested in spices. After all, this was the specific trade market that Vasco Da Gama travelled all the way to India for. At Jew Town, you can find and purchase spices that people would travel across the globe for – so make sure to take some home with you!
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