Noted artist Jitish Kallat will curate the second edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale set to begin in December 2014.
The 39-year-old Mumbai-based artist with roots in Thrissur was selected the artistic director and curator of the biennale by an advisory committee comprising renowned artists, art critics, museum directors and art collectors. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2014 curator was announced by Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany at a press conference here on Friday.
Mr. Chammany said efforts would be made to set up a permanent venue for the biennale. “Kochi needs a permanent venue for the biennale and other art events. We will take steps to set up such a space,” he said.
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Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation president and curator of the first edition of the biennale Bose Krishnamachari said Mr. Kallat would bring his immense international experience to the biennale. Mr. Kallat’s works have been exhibited at renowned art galleries all over the world. He has also taken part in several art biennales and triennales. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2014 will be the first time he curates a contemporary art show.
Biennale Foundation secretary Riyas Komu, who was also curator of the first Biennale, said Mr. Kallat was the unanimous choice of the artistic advisory committee which met in October to decide on a curator. “The biennale is also continuing its uniqueness by choosing an artist as a curator again,” he said.
Artist Balan Nambiar, part of the advisory committee, said Mr. Kallat’s “global vision and technical perfection” were what prompted the committee members to pick him as the next curator. “We wanted someone who could extend from what Bose and Riyas did with the first edition,” he said.
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Mr. Kallat said he was excited about taking up the challenging project. “There is some kind of genetic link that the biennale will continue to have with the vision that Bose and Riyas had. Structurally, I would hope to develop other forms of dialogue. It is a work in progress,” he said.