The Kochi Muziris Biennale - How It All Began The Indian Express
December 9, 2012, 6:30:00 PM
"The article written by Shevlin Sebastian in The New Indian Express takes one back to the very beginning of the Kochi Muziris Biennale. The Kochi Biennale is India’s first-ever international contemporary exhibition. Ever since its inception, the exhibition has been a pioneer of art and culture. While the exhibition has attracted an influx of visitors as well as participants, not many know the Kochi Muziris Biennale’s backstory.
The idea of holding a biennale in Kochi was born in a discussion between the Education and Culture Minister of the then LDF Government, Mr. M A Baby, and artists Bose Krishnamachari,Riyas Komu, and Jyoti Basu. Museum directors , curators, and artists across the world were contacted and the ideas were brainstormed. A silver lining to the situation was added when Benny Kuriakose, the chief consultant of Muziris Heritage Project, expressed interest in linking the project to the biennale. Apart from the funding by the government of Kerala, the project received support from other countries as well. Kochi, a city with a great historical legacy, was selected as the venue as it would be the best place for the event to happen. Many prominent artists have agreed to attend the event. The participating artists were thrilled to showcase their art and culture."