THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE IS CURATED BY EMINENT ARTIST ANITA DUBE. THAT’S THE WAY SHE SEES IT!
In its title, the Biennale is an invocation of the latent cosmopolitan spirit of the contemporary metropolis, Kochi, as well as its mythical past - the ancient port of Muziris, a centre of trade and cultural exchange that is still an active archaeological site. In spirit, the Biennale seeks to explore resonances of this past alongside the pluralities of the present in the current global context to posit alternatives to dominant political and cultural discourses. Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an invitation of dialogue for new aesthetics and politics -rooted in its socio-geographical setting, but receptive to winds blowing in from other worlds.
ANITA DUBE - Born in Lucknow in 1958, Anita Dube completed her BA (History) from Delhi University in 1979 and her MVA (Art Criticism) from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda in 1982. As a member of Radical Painters and Sculptors Association, she wrote the manifesto of the seminal exhibition ‘Questions and Dialogue’ in 1987. Dube is the co-founder and board member of KHOJ International Artists’ Association, and has contributed texts to many publications on contemporary art. Anita lives and works in Gr. Noida, India.
The fourth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is curated by eminent artist Anita Dube. Her appointment as curator, unanimously decided upon by an Artistic Advisory Committee put together by the Kochi Biennale Foundation at the beginning of last year, stays with the Biennale’s tradition of being an exhibition helmed by an art practitioner.
On curating an exhibition of this scale, Dube notes: “My earliest intuitive vision for this edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale to explore the possibilities for a non-alienated life has remained with me. The need to listen, think, and learn with each other, particularly voices from the margins—of women, of the queer community, the oppressed castes, the whispers and signs of nature—with a spirit of freedom and comradeship is vital. In both the exhibition and the carefully designed interactive spaces, I hope the incredible range of exhibiting artists and visitors will become active participants and co-producers of the Biennale as a knowledge laboratory.”
As part of her research and curatorial process, Dube visited a total of 29 countries where she was hosted by a wide array of arts institutions and independent supporters of the Biennale. Her artist list, reflects the dynamic range of practises and conversations she shared along the way.
THE KOCHI BIENNALE FOUNDATION (KBF) is a non-profit charitable trust engaged in promoting art & culture and educational activities in India; primary amongst them the hosting of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. KBF works around the year to strengthen contemporary art infrastructure and to broaden public access to art across India. The Kochi Biennale Foundation is also engaged in the conservation of heritage properties and monuments and the upliftment of traditional forms of art and culture. KBF was founded in 2010 by artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu.
Seeks to invoke the cosmopolitan spirit of the modern metropolis of Kochi and its mythical past, Muziris, create a platform that introduce contemporary international visual art theory and practice to India.
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
Avani is a brilliant photo shoot by Arjun Kamath, that convey the story of a woman in a patriarchal society. Avani’s story can be the story of you and me as the struggles and setbacks that she faces are the common problems of India, a country which is still deep rooted in patriarchy.
My uncanny taste for flamboyant textiles hailed from a land of curious glances. Markets always stir these peckish desires in you to experiment, it’s the one place where you can tailor your dreams. But that’s not what I loved about markets.
Eating with History by Tanya Abraham
Tanya was born and raised in Fort Kochi, a town of multicultural flavour and antiquity, where her family has been living for the past eight generations. The differences in traditions and religious influences based on history always fascinated her.
Traveling from EU to India for Ayurveda
Foreign nationals as individual tourist will be able to travel to India from 15 November 2021. India has created air bubble arrangement for EU (Schengen area) with Germany, France and Netherland. Let us help you to find a way back to India.
LOKAME THARAVADU:
MUST SEEN 30+1
The Kochi Biennale Foundation, with the support of the Government of Kerala presents a large-scale contemporary art survey exhibition titled Lokame Tharavad. The show will feature the works of 267 artists who trace their roots back to Kerala.
Dibin Thilakan is an young emerging voice in the contemporary art scene of Kerala, based in Thrissur. His work featuring strong narrative aspects exploring the human condition, have received national level recognitions.
Let's play Chaiwalla game and prepare our own Masala Chai. Historically, Indians viewed tea as an herbal medicine rather than as a recreational beverage. Some of the chai masala spice mixtures, or kashayam, are derived from ancient Ayurvedic texts.
The Mudras are used to affect the energy flow within the body. They appear to be merely physical gestures, but we can experience mudras as attitudes of energy flow intended to link the individual pranic force with the universal or cosmic force.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
THE TALK 01:
What is Ayurveda for you?
Ayurveda is the science of helping a common individual to understand how to live comfortably throughout his life. Using what is available in this universe. I call it as a universe because Ayurveda is universal. Ayurveda is me and I am Ayurveda.
At some point, everyone must encounter life, what we in India call ‘ayus’. My first experience with real life came from meeting with various spiritual teachers. After many years, I found out that the best piece of wisdom I had learnt was; “Do not hurt yourself…”
Narendranath is the guardian of a dying heritage. At his tiny shop in Fort Cochin, shrunken in the course of time, he reigns as the devoted practitioner of an age-old system of medicine, a rich and valuable legacy left with him by his forefathers.
Diwali is the festival of lights, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It is is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists.
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
