108-day-long Kochi Biennale to open Monday

Billed as the most anticipated celebration of contemporary art in South Asia, the 108-day-long, third edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) is set to begin, at multiple venues here, from Monday.

Titled "Forming in the pupil of an eye", KMB 2016 will feature the performances and production of 97 artists from 31 countries.

Curator Sudarshan Shetty told reporters here on Saturday that the eye is the only reflective organ in the body and 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," he said.

"In aid of this, there are art projects this year that will involve spaces and individuals not traditionally associated with the Biennale. 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," added Shetty.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the third edition on Monday evening.

The event is spread across 12 venues in and around Kochi and will also include 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.

--IANS

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