KMB6: Kochi Becomes a Canvas: Avid Visitors Capture the Mood as Biennale Opens for Public

KOCHI:
As the 6th edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) throws open its doors, the early days of South Asia’s largest contemporary art exhibition are marked by a quiet buzz, of last-minute preparations, curious first-time visitors and moments that reveal the spirit behind the spectacle. Spread across 22 venues in the city, the Biennale also includes Invitations, the Students’ Biennale, Edam, and the Art By Children (ABC).

From international tourists to Indian art students and connoisseurs, visitors speak of an event that is as much about people and places as it is about art.

Among those who arrived even before the official opening was Kartik Parija, a Chennai-born entrepreneur now based in Bengaluru. A keen amateur photographer and self-described art connoisseur, Parija chose to witness the Biennale in its preparatory phase, drawn by a desire to document the energy behind the scenes rather than the finished displays alone.

He described the pre-opening days as a revealing experience. While installations were still taking shape, what struck him was the tireless effort of the organisers and volunteers. He recalled seeing KMB President Bose Krishnamachari helping workers lift materials one moment, and minutes later, stepping into his role as a leader overseeing the inauguration.

For Parija, this fluid shift captured something uniquely Kerala: a sense of collective effort and grounded leadership. The coincidence of the Biennale’s inauguration with the announcement of local body election results, he felt, further reflected the cultural and political rhythms of the state.

Parija also noted the significance of Kochi itself becoming a living canvas for a global art event. Having followed biennales elsewhere that struggled to sustain themselves, he pointed out that Kochi’s uninterrupted journey over the years underlines the city’s growing stature in the international art circuit.

International visitors, too, are taking note. John Juliard, a tourist from France, is attending the KMB for the first time and expressed admiration for the scale and organisation of the event. He was particularly impressed by the diversity of contemporary art practices on display, describing the exhibition as well-curated and engaging for audiences unfamiliar with the region.

The KMB’s appeal extends beyond seasoned art followers. Abhy Joy, a safety engineer from Kollam currently working in Dubai, encountered the exhibition during a casual visit to Kochi. What began as an unplanned stop turned into an absorbing experience. He praised both the quality of the artworks and the smooth organisation of the venues, calling the biennale well worth a visit even for those without a formal background in art.

For students, the Biennale has emerged as a space of discovery and aspiration. Rahul Kannan, an art student from University College of Visual Arts, Davangere (Karnataka), is visiting the biennale for the first time and describes it as an eye-opening experience.

Describing the works as deeply thought-provoking, he said the exposure has expanded his understanding of contemporary art practices. For him, art transcends language and geography, functioning as a universal mode of expression without barriers.

Kannan also highlighted the importance of the Students’ Biennale, noting that opportunities to exhibit or even engage with global art movements are often limited in smaller cities. Through platforms like this, he said, students gain insight into current artistic discourses and feel connected to a wider creative world.

Echoing this sentiment, Ajunesh Viswam, an art researcher from Thiruvananthapuram, emphasised the long-term value of initiatives such as the Students’ Biennale. He believes such platforms help young people develop critical thinking and an appreciation for contemporary art, offering direction at an early stage.

Viswam argued that art should be integrated into educational curricula to nurture more thoughtful and creative mindsets among the youth.

As the newest edition of the KMB begins its public journey, these early voices together paint a picture of an event rooted in collaboration, curiosity and cultural exchange, where the process is as compelling as the finished works, and where Kochi itself remains central to the story being told.