The diplomatic mission of the United States in India would consider supporting the next edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale beginning 2016.
Phillip A. Min, Consul General of the U.S. in Chennai, said during a visit to the biennale at Fort Kochi on Thursday that the event had all the features of a leading exhibition of the world and that everyone was talking about its success. On his first visit to Kochi, Mr. Min said he was advised by the deputy chief of the U.S. mission in Delhi to visit the biennale, which in its second edition had captured the attention of the world.
“The theme and curatorship are exceptional, and the setting is lovely. What inspires me is that I will be in office here in 2016 and would like to explore opportunities to see if we can contribute to the next edition,” he remarked. Mr. Min was accompanied by his spouse Eun Young Lee, the Consulate General’s public affairs officer Ariel Pollock and cultural affairs specialist K.S. Bijukumar.
Mr. Min spoke about having American artists in the next edition and the US government’s support to the event. “The biennale has helped put Kerala and India on the map as a centre of world-class art,” said Mr. Min, a graduate in art history.
During his stay in the city where he delivered the keynote address at an international conference on the U.S. Rebalance and Asia-Pacific Region, Mr. Min visited the Startup Village, held parleys with Hibi Eden, MLA, and had consultations with members of the American Business Corner in Kochi. He also held discussions with Mayor Tony Chammany.
The city’s IT and trade and commercial sectors and spices found a mention in the talks.
Mr. Min said the possibility of launching a sister city project involving Kochi and an American city would be explored. Transportation avenues available to the city and its waste treatment methods were also discussed. The delegation pledged full support to the city’s IT growth.
