In what might be one of its tightest editions till date, Kochi-Muziris Biennale will feature works of 66 artists/collectives in its forthcoming edition that will begin on December 12. Curated by Nikhil Chopra and his team HH Art Spaces, with the title 'For the Time Being', the edition spread across more than 20 venues in Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry and Ernakulam, will see several new commissions and established artists share space with younger talent. The artists list released on October 10 includes names such as Gieve Patel, Jyoti Bhatt, Gulammohammed Sheikh, Sheba Chhachhi, Bani Abidi, Sujith SN, Pallavi Paul and Biraaj Dodiya. The international biggies include pioneering Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović, Argentine sculptor Adrian Villar Rojas, American artist LaToya Ruby Frazier, Nigerian-Belgian Otobong Nkanga and Ghanaian Ibrahim Mahama. In a statement released, the curatorial team stated, "Our invitation to companions was to work with Kochi’s climates, conditions, and resource realities; to make time, think nimbly, and collaborate locally. Around 50 new commissions are set across many first-time venues in neighbourhoods animated with trade, people, and movement. We draw from the past editions and their lives, and continue to see the exhibition as a growing organism constantly nourished by ideas, emotions, and actions. We also hold space for grief and mourning through this transformative time." One of India's most prominent art events, the Biennale was conceived in 2010 at the behest of then culture minister for Kerala, MA Baby, with Kerala-born Mumbai-based artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu at the helm. The first edition of the Biennale in 2012 was curated by the duo and the subsequent years saw artist-curators such as Jitish Kallat (2014-15), Sudarshan Shetty (2016-17), Anita Dube (2018-19) and Shubigi Rao (2022-23) at the helm. Commenting on the artist list this year, Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) President Krishnamachari stated, "This edition brings together a dynamic constellation of both established and emerging voices from across the world. Nikhil and HH Art Spaces have conceptualised it with remarkable clarity, through works that integrate diverse media, experimental performances, and new ways of imagining what an exhibition can be. It reflects a spirit of solidarity and collective endeavour, marking the first time that a collective has been invited to build a creative site. ‘For the Time Being’ celebrates local energies, global collaborations, and the layered histories that continue to shape and sustain the Biennale.” Appointed Chairperson of the Kochi Biennale Foundation in September 2024, Dr V Venu - former Chief Secretary to the Government of Kerala and former Director General of the National Museum in Delhi - noted, "We envisage the sixth edition of the Biennale not just as a moment of celebration, but as part of a long-term vision for sustaining artistic practices, community, and cultural dialogue in Kochi. Working closely with local communities, artists, and institutions, we aim to create a Biennale that grows, learns, and leaves a lasting impact on the city and people."
