Thursday, April 19, 2012

A grand dream envisioned by Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu

Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu, the two Mumbai artists, who are originally from Kerala, have planned a grand extravaganza of contemporary art.

As a creator, curator and practitioner of art in various forms and domains, the former likes to challenge and defy conventional concepts of art practices. ‘Panorama: India’ curated by him offered a fascinating overview of contemporary Indian art at ARCO Madrid 2009. Though he had put up a show, entitled ‘Double Enders’ (2005), comprising artists from his home state Kerala, he believes that art cannot be bound by regions.

On the other hand, Riyas Komu’s oeuvre refers to the paradoxes of the urban situation that he paints with cynicism and compassion; with dejection albeit tinged with hope and sympathy. The duo seeks to establish the Biennale as a hub for artistic engagement.

Through a curious collation of contemporary art practices from across the globe, their vastly ambitious project seeks to celebrate the participative spirit of art, even while invoking the truly historic cosmopolitan legacy of the new modern metropolis and that of the ancient port of Muziris, its mythical predecessor, in the tropical south of the country.

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a proposed international exhibit of contemporary art in the scenic state of Kerala, makes for a significant development. If the vision of its futuristic organizers comes into reality, India will have its first major biennale event of a genuine global scale and scope, emulating those in Berlin, Liverpool, Venice and Dakar.

If everything goes according to the plan, art lovers will witness a truly grand showcase of works by both Indian and international artists across a wide variety of mediums like painting, sculpture, installation, new media, film and performance art.

With it, a dialogue for a new aesthetics and politics deeply enmeshed in the very Indian experience, albeit open to the winds blowing in from far-away worlds, is well possible, the organizers believe.

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