About 5 years ago, when I was studying in my 10th standard was the time I had first heard about the Kochi Biennale. From that time onwards, it intrigued me. A place where artists from all over the world come to show their skill and art pieces. So after waiting for nearly 5 years, finally all the stars had aligned, and I made my first Biennale visit.
The 6th edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale was being conducted from 12th December 2025 to 31st March 2026. The biennale was set up in about 29 different locations, but only managed to visit about 5. Out of which 3 main places stood out to me.
Aspinwall House
The most important place of the bienale. Aspinwall house is the largest and most important venue of the Binenale. From color full paintings to interactive art pieces it had it all. But the main attraction was to see the beauty of the Arabian sea from the side of the house as while sipping tea in a rustic tea shop setup specially for the bienalle.
After which I went to the prominent location, the locations that touched my soul.
Pepper House
For a normal person pepper house might just be another bienalle location. But for a cine-pile like me its much more than that. Stepping foot in the venue my mind was filled with the visuals of water running down its windows while George and Celine enjoy there red velvet cakes inside. For some odd reason Red Velvet cake never looked this beautiful anywhere else.
Need less to say it awed me with the different art pieces and beauty but the time I spend there was mostly reminiscent the beauty of the the place more than the artwork because it’s our place, our Premam.
Anand Warehouse
The last prominent place i visited was here. Waking into this place my mind was blank. I didn’t knew what o expect but need less to say it made a lasting impression on me. As the bane suggest its just a large ware house wuth lots of space but the during binellae time its tranfroms itselt to a magical places the trnasicnses time and mythology. The larges space gave the artisans a means to showcase their artwork like never before and the made sure thats any person who steps inside the place will have lasting impression
Out of the many things watched 3 items caught my attention ( Well I forgot what these Pieces were called so i am going to call them based on the names I have given
- Parliament of Ghosts
- Identity Interwoven
- Aftermath: The Kasaragod Tragedy
Parliament of Ghosts
One of most visually simulating pieces of the Bienalle. Standing in the middle of a vast room with jute borders and empty charge transports you to a mythical world, a world of fictions, a place you only imagine in your wildest dreams. They say that art is subjective, I may not understand the true meaning of this masterpiece but still I interpret it to my knowledge and imagination and understanding in in my own unique way.
Identity Interwoven
In this time of growing tensions between the various religious and social communities in our country, this beautiful image captures the essence of India. A country which was build on the principles of communal harmony and social diversity. A burka wearing woman with the face of Theyyam pays a homage to the different cultures, societies and rituals that makes Kerala the gods own Country.
Aftermath: The Kasaragod Tragedy
From a young age itself I had heard about the tragedy of endosulfan use and how it had distroyed the lives of the people who lived nearby, especially in the Kasargod Destrict. But I never gave much attection to this issue and treated it just as another headline that will captures the from page of newspaper for a few day. But Watching the Collage of all the different lives aftect by tragedy send shivers down my spine. Just imagining the harship caused to an entire generation of the affteceted area by no fault of their own. Needless to say its the most memmorable peicee for me iof the bienalle
To wrap thing ups, my frist visit to the bienalle was enpirice that will stay with me for a long time. if your anywhear near kochi, please go and visit the Bienaale and enjoy the things the our very own kochi has to offer
Please let me know about the suggestions and question you have with me, it would mean a lot if you replied.
Thanks and ✌ out
