An illustration displayed in Biennale
The curtains are down on the country’s first Biennale. But, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation is here to stay creating new avenues for contemporary art.According to the organisers, the prime responsibility of the Foundation would be to make every arrangement for the next Biennale in 2014. “The painstaking efforts by us during the last two years helped turn the first Biennale a success. We have already begun preparations to launch the second one in December 2014,” said Bonny Thomas, trustee, Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation.Besides, the Foundation is going to convert Pepper House, one of the venues of Biennale, at Fort Kochi to an ‘Art Residency’. “It would be best to call it a ‘give and take’ procedure. The art from our country will travel to other parts of the globe and we will also get opportunities to imbibe the best from them. The artists can come and stay here to learn the various facets of contemporary art. There would be an active cultural exchange through it,” he said.Besides, the Biennale Foundation has already mooted a project to erect the statue of Chinnathampi Annavi, the proponent of Chavittu Natakam in Kerala.“This is a prestigious project aimed at immortalising the contributions of Chinnathampi Annavi. Many had speculations about the execution of the project. Some thought we had abruptly dropped it while others speculated on its completion. The project is still on. The statue will come up at Gothuruthu Island, the land which has the art form embedded in its soul,” Bonny said. The statue is being sculpted by artist Anto.Apart from delving into the art arena, the Foundation is also into film making which will depict the woes of urban Kochi. In a tie-up with the cultural wing of BMW, the Foundation has undertaken a project called ‘Urban Diagnostics’.“Everything from the very basic issues like drainage and mosquito menace to the residential complexities of the city will be showcased in the film. A massive research has already been started. In connection with it, we have conducted a seminar titled ‘Urbanism’. We hope to complete the work in a year,” said Riyas Komu, secretary, Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation.On the role Biennale had in the lives of the common man, they said the term ‘Biennale’, which once was completely alien, has became a household term.“It just happened within a span of three months. This is just the beginning. Its success shows that there are much more to ensue,” said Bonny Thomas.Source: http://newindianexpress.com/
