Artist Gigi Scaria's sculptural installation of a giant steel bell that attracted huge crowds at the 'Kochi Muziris Biennale 2014' has now found a permanent home in the state against the background of a scenic lake.
The Delhi-based Malayali's giant artwork titled 'Chronicles of the Shores Foretold' has now been installed near the boat jetty in coastal Vaikom of the artist's native Kottayam district, courtesy an initiative by the Lalit Kala Akademi.
At KMB 14, the installation was placed in Fort Kochi, along the backyard of vintage Pepper House.
The steel structure, which is 13 ft tall with its diameter measuring 16 ft at the base and overall weighing around 2.5 tonnes, was brought to Vaikom in a ferry on Monday.
The Kochi backwaters that used to be its backdrop have now been replaced by the equally scenic Vembanad Lake.
The installation was part of the Lalit Kala Akademi's ambitious project to promote wayside sculptures (Vazhiyora Shilpangal).
Gigi (42) was one among the 10 young Malayali sculptors selected by the Akademi for being part of the project.
A native of Kothanalloor, Giji says KMB 14 was a perfect platform for him to bring out the work, noting that it was the Kochi Biennale Foundation which helped him associate with the Akademi in this project.
"As an artist, I am extremely happy that the work found a permanent place in my home-state itself," he said.
'Chronicle of the Shores Foretold' is a performance-based work of sculpture that "pools in hyperlink histories and myths" through which the artist has sought to liberally interpret about labour, religion and maritime trade.
He has a Master in Fine Arts from Jamia Millia Islamia University in the national capital.
Gigi said the "bell-sinking myth" associated with churches in his central Travancore belt has contributed to the installation.
"Even today, belief floats that the bell emerges annually from the deep sea on the festival day, and tolls on its own," he added.
Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) President Bose Krishnamachari termed it is a matter of pride that a Biennale work has got permanence as a public sculpture.
"The initiative also indicates how the very idea of public sculptures has been redefined in Kerala," he said.
KBF Secretary Riyas Komu termed the move as a "great endorsement" for the work as well as for the Biennale.
