Kochi-Muziris
Biennale (KMB)
“Kochi and Muziris were the two windows to the world through which trade, religions and culture came to the Indian sub-continent. Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to India through Muziris. Jainism and Buddhism flourished near the ancient trade center. Chinese and the Arabs had their colonies in both ports. The liberal and cosmopolitan outlook of the people was instrumental in the growth of these centers. We adopted Koch-Muziris as the central themes because of the universal outlook of the people and place,” Boney Thomas, research coordinator of the KMB Foundation said.
Two fisherman walks along side a public art work done by Australian artist Daniel Connell on the walls of an old building in Fort Cochin as Biennale Kick starts. Shot from fort cochin, kerala, on 12-12-12.
Old texts may have fired the imagination about the starting point of the Spice Route. The unfettered exchange of trade and culture opened the space to all religions. In different times in history, Chinese, Jews, Portuguese, Dutch and the British made Kochi their hub for trade. Pepper was as valuable as gold in the age of discovery. In the 16th century, over half of Portugal’s state revenue came from West African gold and Indian pepper and other spices. The proportion of the spices greatly outweighed the gold.
“Kochi and Muziris were the two windows to the world through which trade, religions and culture came to the Indian sub-continent. Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to India through Muziris. Jainism and Buddhism flourished near the ancient trade center. Chinese and the Arabs had their colonies in both ports. The liberal and cosmopolitan outlook of the people was instrumental in the growth of these centers. We adopted Koch-Muziris as the central themes because of the universal outlook of the people and place,” Boney Thomas, research coordinator of the KMB Foundation said.
Two fisherman walks along side a public art work done by Australian artist Daniel Connell on the walls of an old building in Fort Cochin as Biennale Kick starts. Shot from fort cochin, kerala, on 12-12-12.
Old texts may have fired the imagination about the starting point of the Spice Route. The unfettered exchange of trade and culture opened the space to all religions. In different times in history, Chinese, Jews, Portuguese, Dutch and the British made Kochi their hub for trade. Pepper was as valuable as gold in the age of discovery. In the 16th century, over half of Portugal’s state revenue came from West African gold and Indian pepper and other spices. The proportion of the spices greatly outweighed the gold.
Visiting
artists are using the lost port as a theme for the event. Many pieces will
involve found art. A Kerala-born sculptor, is designing a piece with abandoned
anchors, while Vivan artist Sundaram is creating a 400 square-foot
reconstruction of Muziris using terracotta shards unearthed at the excavation
site. He will both physically throw water on the installation, and incorporate
video of flowing water, to represent the destruction of the city.
Following are few among the prominent works from the Biennale
Chinese artist Zhang Enli's creation. A visitor peeps through the work at Aspinwall, Fort Cochin on December 15th, 2012.
Artist Subodh Guptas work in Aspinwall building. Shot from Fort Cochin, Kerala on 15th December 2012.
An inspiring installation using roof tiles by Bangalore based artist, L N Tallur. Shot from Aspinwall building, Fort Cochin on 11th December, 2012.
Following are few among the prominent works from the Biennale
Chinese artist Zhang Enli's creation. A visitor peeps through the work at Aspinwall, Fort Cochin on December 15th, 2012.
An inspiring installation using roof tiles by Bangalore based artist, L N Tallur. Shot from Aspinwall building, Fort Cochin on 11th December, 2012.
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