The Kochi-Muziris Art Biennale 2012, India’s first art biennale, kicked off here Dec. 12.
The art biennale is a three-month festival featuring contemporary international art. Chenda drummers marked the opening of the festival at a warehouse while festival organizers raised a flag to pay tribute to the fourteen different festival venues across the city.
“This project will bring about a cultural shift in India,” said Riyas Komu, one of the festival organizers. Over 80 artists from countries like China and Africa will be showcasing paintings, installations, sculptures and other artistic work.
“There is an exhibition where artists are displaying their work and anybody can go. It will be open at 12 noon and you should go and see that,” said a vendor.
The biennale is expected to attract around one million tourists, according to festival organizers.
“This is the first time a biennale is being held in India. Globally, there are so many biennales, so there is bound to be some shortcomings but they will be minor if you look at the bigger picture,” said Balan Nambiar, acting chairman of the Lalit Kala Academy.