All set for grand opening of Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Come Friday and global art is set to turn a new leaf with the opening of the second edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) with a focus on works that quirkily or straight narrate the region's legends and realities vis-a-vis the rest of the world.

'Whorled Explorations' featuring 100 artworks by 94 artists across India and globe is the central exhibition of the 108-day extravaganza, which also revels in parallel shows hosting the ancient country's traditional yet evolving music, dance, percussion, theatre and ballet besides cinema, a series of seminars and lectures by scholars around the globe.

The Kochi Biennale Foundation, which is organising the event relies on both governmental and private funding, is playing out the main show curated by Mumbai-based artist Jitish Kallat in eight venues here.

While a string of simultaneous exhibitions, stage programmes and interactive sessions will grace locations in the city and suburbs besides the neighbouring Thrissur district, which is often referred as Kerala's cultural capital.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will open this event Friday after a 90-minute "Pandi Melam" - ethnic ensemble comprising 300 artists on chenda drum besides cymbals, pipes and horns.

The 2014 KMB has been conceived in a way that would prompt the visitor to re-think our world from the vantage point of Kerala, said Kallat.

Gulammohammed Sheikh, Akbar Padamsee, K.G. Subramayan, Dayanita Singh, N. Pushpamala, Navjot Altaf, Sudhir Patwardhan, N.S. Harsha, Gigi Scaria and Valsan Koorma Kolleri are some of Indian artists who will grace the event.

International participants include Anish Kapoor, Xu Bing, Mona Hatoum, Adrian Paci and Yoko Ono.