Kochi-Muziris Biennale's second edition navigates funding challenges while expanding India's art landscape
On December 12, 2014, the second edition of India's inaugural biennial, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), titled 'Whorled Explorations,' was inaugurated. Established by Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari, this event pays homage to the ancient submerged port of Muziris in Kerala. Curated by Jitish Kallat, the biennale showcased 100 artworks from 94 artists representing 30 nations across eight locations, including Aspinwall House. The Kerala state government financed 63% of the ₹260 million budget, while crowdfunding contributed a mere 0.35% of the ₹50 million goal. The opening week drew 10,000 visitors, adding to the 400,000 attendees from the inaugural edition in 2012. The biennale also features parallel initiatives like the Student Biennale and encountered issues regarding fund mismanagement, causing financial delays.
Key facts
- The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is India's first realized biennial, founded by Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari.
- The second edition, 'Whorled Explorations', opened on 12 December 2014 with 100 works by 94 artists from 30 countries.
- Artistic director Jitish Kallat curated the edition, exploring themes linked to Kochi's maritime history and astronomy.
- The biennial faced funding challenges, with a crowdfunding campaign raising only 0.35% of its ₹50 million target initially.
- The inaugural 2012 edition attracted 400,000 visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren, and won a Kerala tourism award.
- Parallel programs include the Student Biennale and Children's Biennale, with workshops and seminars like 'History Now'.
- Founders Komu and Krishnamachari were exonerated from misappropriation charges, but financial delays occurred.
- The event references the ancient port of Muziris, submerged in 1341, and aims to connect past and present cosmopolitanism.
Entities
Artists
- Riyas Komu
- Bose Krishnamachari
- Jitish Kallat
- Anish Kapoor
- Charles Eames
- Ray Eames
- Ranjit Hoskote
- Mulk Raj Anand
- Geeta Kapur
- Vivan Sundaram
- Thomas
Institutions
- Kochi Biennale Foundation
- Kerala Government
- Ministry of Tourism
- India Today
- ArtReview Asia
- Mar Thoma Orthodox Church
- Lalit Kala Akademi
- Venice Biennale
- Triennale-India
- Documenta 9
- Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics
Locations
- Kochi
- Kerala
- India
- Muziris
- Kodungalloor
- River Periyar
- New Delhi
- Venice
- Syria
- Aspinwall House
- Pattanam