The Chennai Photo Biennale is back after two years with an edgy theme

There may be more than one reason to escape to the South for a cultural holiday. If the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has been keeping the southwestern port town busy, on the east coast the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB), which is back after 2016, too promises to draw the attention of art enthusiasts. 

Chennai has long been associated with a vibrant Carnatic music katcheri scene, as also with historical performing arts such as Bharatanatyam. “When I was toying with the idea of a photo biennale, I realised that there certainly was a viewership for this kind of art,” says CPB co-founder Varun Gupta. “The problem was that most Chennai residents didn’t see their city as a capable venue.” So, the second edition of CPB will focus on taking photographs — and visitors — into forgotten public spaces. 

Gauri Gill / Chennai Photo Biennale

The biennale’s theme — “fauna of mirrors” — plays with the idea of parallel universes, and photographs have been placed in a manner that they converse with the venues. “The show by Atul Bhalla, for instance, is being held at a venue overlooking the Marina Beach. His photos of the fishing community are juxtaposed with the beach that dislocated the fishermen,” explains Pushpamala N, artistic director for CPB 2019. 

Over 50 artists and photographers — among them Dayanita Singh, Manjunath Kamath, Navjot Altaf and Vivan Sundaram — from 13 countries will exhibit their works across six venues in Chennai. All of the featured works depict an alternative reality, where the mundane meets the imaginary. 

Archana Hande / Chennai Photo Biennale

But photographs with a touch of surrealism might not be the most accessible works of art for an uninitiated audience. The CPB has held workshops and conferences over the past year to create awareness around the theme. “We want to make Chennai the photo capital of India, a space where photographers from across the world can meet and collaborate,” says Gupta. 

Manit Sriwanichpoom / Chennai Photo Biennale

“In a way, he adds, “events like this cultivate a love for the city, in the same way that the Chennai Super Kings does.” 

Armin Linke / Chennai Photo Biennale

Manjunath Kamath / Chennai Photo Biennale

Atul Bhalla / Chennai Photo Biennale

1. Nandini Valli Muthiah’s ‘Untitled 5’ from The Devotee series, 2016

2. Gauri Gill’s ‘Untitled (10)’ from the Acts of Appearance series, 2015

3. Archana Hande’s The Golden Feral Trail, 2013-2015

4. Manit Sriwanichpoom’s Horror in Pink #6, 2001

5. Atul Bhalla’s On the edge of the sea, 2019

6. Manjunath Kamath’s Untitled, 2005

7. Armin Linke’s Cinema screen, 2005

The Chennai Photo Biennale will be on till March 24 across venues in Chennai. For programme details, visit chennaiphotobiennale.com