Kochi-Muziris Biennale, founded in 2012, is an international art exhibition held in Kerala every two years. The contemporary installation is scheduled from 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026. It is an initiative by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, backed by the Government of Kerala. The event aims to showcase all art forms like paintings, films, sculptures, installations, performance art, and new media.
The blog discusses the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, who is the curator, and which pieces will be highlighted in the event.
ALSO SEE-Where to Stay in Kochi? Hotels and Tips
Kochi-Muziris Biennale- Ticket Price and Venue
Kochi-Muziris Biennale is set to happen in 2025. Here are all the details:
Venue: Kunnumpuram Fort, Kochi
Central Exhibition Locations: Aspinwall House, Pepper House, and Anand Warehouse
Ticket Price:
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Students and Children | INR 50 |
| Adult | INR 150 |
| Senior Citizen | INR 100 |
| Weekly Pass | INR 1000 |
| Monthly Pass | INR 4000 |
Other Attractions of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Along with the showcase of art, the visitors can enjoy other activities for a wholesome experience:
- Art by Children
Schools host workshops as a part of the program during the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale. The children enjoy special activities like the Learning At Home program, guided tours, and annual summer camp.
- The Let’s Talk Series
KNMA sponsors the public conversation forum where visitors can discuss art and culture. Approximately 40 conferences are scheduled every year.
- Video Studio
KBF Video Lab is where visitors get to research and experiment. They indulge in innovative projects on contemporary art practices and various artists.
- Pepper House Residency Exhibition
The exhibition provides an opportunity for the artists to work and collaborate. The activity takes place at the residency in Fort Kochi.
- Workshops
The Master Practise Studios program welcomes practitioners to collaborate and work continuously with senior artists.
Every year, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale names a curator, responsible for bringing 60 Indian and global contemporary artists to showcase their talent. For the sixth edition, the committee appointed a renowned artist, Nikhil Chopra, and HH Art Spaces.
ALSO SEE-Top Places To Visit In Kochi Kerala
About Curator Nikhil Chopra
Nikhil is a Goa-based artist who explores various themes of identity and studies their construction. He also understands the authorship and autobiography of the themes through a meditative practice. His technique combines painting, drawing, durational performance, installation, sculpture, and photography to understand the theme.
Nikhil Chopra was a participant in the second edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. However, he has also showcased his work in renowned international art exhibitions.
About HH Art Spaces
HH Art Spaces is a collaboration of Nikhil Chopra and artist Romain Loustau. Established in 2014, the organisation has initiated workshops to encourage live performance and art.
Vision of Nikhil Chopra for the Sixth Edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
In a statement, Nikhil has expressed his vision for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale art exhibition. He said that the international contemporary art exhibition will be held in Kerala, at the edge of the peninsula. This is the most internationally affluent corner in the world, where human legacy trade practices are harboured. He feels privileged to have been chosen to curate 60 artists from around the world and bring them to Kerala.
ALSO SEE- Top 10 One Day Trips From Kochi
Kochi-Muziris Biennale: An Overview and History
The Kochi Biennale Foundation was kick-started 2010 by Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari for artists. This non-profit trust focused on one mission: to promote art, culture, education, and heritage in South India. Since 2012, the foundation has been hosting the Kochi-Muziris Biennale art festival. It is inspired by the beautiful multicultural history of Kerala, so that the entire world can know about it.
The first ever Kochi-Muziris Biennale started on 12 December 2012. Here are its specifics:
- Featured 80 artists. Out of these, 50% were international artists.
- Free entry till 23 December. Afterwards, INR 50 was charged to the attendees.
- Supported by Shalini and Sanjay Passi. They organised a ₹25,000-per-head dinner to raise funds.
Since then, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has been a sought-after exhibition for Indians and foreigners.
A Glimpse into the Previous Editions of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Fifth Edition: 2022-23
The fifth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale appointed Shubigi Rao, a famous artist and writer from Singapore. The highlight of the show was “Bombay Tilts Down” by CAMP:
Remote-controlled CCTV view from a 35-storey South-Central Mumbai building. It was a visual installation infused with sirens and poets in the background. The 13-minute 14-second art took the attendees through the bird’s view of the oceans and the sky.
Another highlight was the “NON-ALIGNED / NON-ALIENATED” by Nathalie Muchamad, an artist based in Mayotte:
She used to work in the Comoros Islands, where she brought her New-Caledonian and Javanese ancestry to life. Her art reflected the colonial slavery experiences she witnessed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fourth Edition: 2020-21
Anita Dube, an Indian artist, curated the fourth edition. Its highlight was “Almanac of a Lost Year” by Vasudevan Akkitham:
There’s an interesting story behind the art installation. The lockdown was imposed shortly after Vasudevan Akkitham was invited to participate in the exhibition. Inspired by the closed world, he turned his thoughts into a masterpiece.
The art included 365 miniature watercolour paintings, each describing one day of the year ahead. It felt more like a journal where Vasudevan Akkitham captured his thoughts, dreams, and vision. He created a new reality from a shutdown world to reflect what’s on the outside world.
Tips to Keep in Mind for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025
- Buy an all-access ticket: You can get a ticket online or at the Aspinwall House. However, the single ticket will give you access to all the venues. So, remember to keep a ticket handy, especially if you are taking a weekly or monthly pass.
- Keep a water bottle: There are several vendors across the venue. However, the exhibition space is vast, and reaching the sellers may take a while. So, keeping water and a few snacks in your bag is always a good practice.
- Wear comfortable clothes: You might be at the exhibition throughout the day. Wearing tight or inconvenient clothes might not be the best option. Wear an outfit that keeps you at ease in every weather and situation.
- Keep a power bank: There are many venues to visit for the exhibition, which will take the entire day. Your phone’s battery can easily drain during this time, so ensure you have a backup ready.
Leave a Reply