‘Public Participation Strengthens Artist’s Creativity’: Sibi Malayil

KOCHI:
Lauding the active and large-scale public participation as the high point of the ongoing third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, celebrated filmmaker Sibi Malayil has said that the increased engagement with people strengthens the creativity of an artist.
The director of such popular films as Kireedam (1989) and His Highness Abdullah (1990) visited the Biennale for the third time on Saturday and described it as a platform to resist threats to freedom of expressions.
“Apart from the art connoisseurs, it is when the general public steps in to experience this festival that the Biennale gives a unique strength to the artists who are exhibiting their creativity,” Malayil said, after a tour of the Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi.
He also added that it is not always necessary to understand the depth of the artwork to appreciate it, the aesthetics communicate just as well.
“Sometimes it is not possible to completely absorb the meaning of the artwork, but there is a non-verbal dialogue initiated between the artist and the visitor,” he said. “However, Raúl Zurita’s ‘Sea of Pain’ is a bit different: the artwork conveys the whole meaning to the viewer.”
Award-winning director Rajiv Anchal made a family day of it at KMB 2016 on Saturday. “I have come with my kids to understand how children relate to and absorb a complex art event. I was surprised to hear their intelligent perspectives on some of the works,” he said.
Singling out the Biennale venues for special praise, Anchal – whose 1997 feature Guru was India’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category – noted that the revamped heritage structures add to the beauty of the 108-day celebration of contemporary art.
“I was very cautious about the location when we planned Guru be
cause I believe that the space adds to the aesthetic of the work. The same is the case with the Biennale. The venues are influencing the exhibits positively. In spite of the scorching heat, these venues gift the visitor an enriching experience to enjoy the art,” he said.