‘Biennale will link myth of Muziris with Kochi’

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Internationally-acclaimed artists showcasing their work at the Kochi Muziris Biennale being held in December have started descending on the city. DC catches up with artist Jyoti Basu.

Why Kochi when the whole project is about Muziris (Kodungalloor)?

A: Kochi itself is the framework of the concept behind the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. So it is essential that artists, in particular those unfamiliar with the locality, come to Kochi to personally encounter its history, political context and artistic potential.

Will the paintings reflect the past since it’s a heritage project?

A: Not necessarily. The works will be in contemporary language. And it’s not our aim to recreate old memories but they’ll have references to history.

The biennale aims to reconnect the myth of Muziris with the modern Kochi metropolis where pre-colonial traditions of cultural pluralism continue to flourish.