In our veins flow ink and fire
With approximately 200 works of contemporary art by 90 artists from 24 different countries, the Kochi-Muziris Biennial opens 2023 with a healthy dose of optimism after the troubled times of the pandemic. In the curator's own words, it is about highlighting the power of narrative as a strategy and the transgressive power of ink and fire as a transformer of satire and humor. This edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennial claims a certain joie de vivre in an era marked by harshness. It showcases divergent practices and sensibilities that celebrate optimism even in the darkest absurdity.
Founded in 2011, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is India's first-ever biennale of international contemporary art, and its history goes hand-in-hand with the political, social, and artistic landscape of India today. Personally, I went to the 2019 Kochi Biennale and it was an unforgettable experience. Art was everywhere, on every corner, in the main pavilions by the Vembanad Lake and in the small streets and cafes of the old Jewish quarter of Mattancherry. There were artists, art lovers, curious people, tourists and urban youth from the great Indian metropolises. During the Biennale, Fort Kochi is transformed into a hub of debate around the works and art installations of the official exhibition and during film screenings and lively discussions in the cafes. Kerala, a small state in South India, is known as God's own country with its exuberant nature and rich culture and economy. It is well placed to prove that contemporary art has a future in India. Davvero, the Biennale is not only Venice!
