Anita Dube , one of India’s most provocative and versatile contemporary artists who played a key role in the radical art movement, has been selected to curate the 2018 edition of the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB).
Culture Minister A.K. Balan announced the new curator at the concluding ceremony of KMB-2016 at Durbar Hall Ground here on Wednesday.
The selection is in keeping with the Biennale’s long-standing tradition of being an artist-led exhibition.
Ms. Dube said she was overwhelmed and felt humble, but would reflect on the attainments of the Biennale over the past editions and see the possibilities over the next year and a half for her curatorial venture. “I’m all of 4 ft 10 inches in height and can’t stand tall before you,” she said in all humility and promised to work around the theme of exploring the possibilities of non-alienated life.
“Through three editions, the KMB has gained a reputation for being one of the most important exhibitions of its kind around the world. It is an honour and a very big challenge to be declared curator of this wonderful platform. I am delighted that the jurors thought I can deliver. I accept the responsibility with excitement and humility. It is early days yet and my thoughts will no doubt undergo several changes going forward, but I view this as an opportunity to do something special,” Ms. Dube said.
She takes over from Sudarshan Shetty, whose vision for the third edition of India’s only Biennale saw 97 artists from 31 countries showcase their production – across a variety of forms, styles and disciplines – over a 108-day period starting 12/12/16. Spread out across 12 venues, KMB 2016 received more than six lakh visitors. Based in Delhi, Ms. Dube is renowned for her conceptually rich, politically charged works. An art historian and critic by training and a visual artist in practice, she has held exhibitions across the Americas, Europe and Asia, including at the first edition of the KMB in 2012. Ms. Dube uses found objects and industrial materials, photography and “word architecture” to critique contemporary socio-political realities.
Describing Ms. Dube as a “thinking artist”, KMB co-founder Bose Krishnamachari said: “Anita’s sensitivity towards materials, incorporating everyday objects derived from informal, craft and industrial sources and spaces, is profound. As is her wordplay and use of mediums, gestures and imageries – all of which will make for varied experiences and resonances in a space as adaptive and accommodating as the Biennale. Her oeuvre features both knowledgeable consideration and skilful melding of the sensibilities and styles of abstractions with real, contemporary concerns. This will doubtless be reflected in her curatorial vision.”
