The Kochi Biennale Foundation, which organised the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), is currently on a rigorous mission of de-installing all its 100 main artworks after the conclusion of the second edition of the exhibition that reinforced the country's eminence in the circuit.
The eight venues of KMB'14, which ended on March 29 after 108 days of festivity, are witnessing a meticulous un-mounting of the works by 94 artists from 30 countries-an exercise with an estimated expense of more than Rs 2 crore.
The de-installation started as early as March 30, the day after KMB'14, considering that some of the works are travelling to shows slated to open shortly, according to Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).
"We expect the entire de-installation process to last almost a month," KBF president Bose Krishnamachari said in a release, adding several works have already been de-installed in the main Aspinwall House venue of suburban Fort Kochi and Durbar Hall Gallery in downtown Ernakulam.
Also, KBF will soon be announcing the names of the artistic advisory committee that will choose the curator for the 2016 KMB.
"In essence, as soon as the de-installation is over, we will have to start work for the next edition," added Krishnamachari, who is a Mumbai-based Malayali artist of international repute-as is Jitish Kallat, who curated KMB'14 under the theme 'Whorled Explorations'.
KBF Secretary Riyas Komu stressed the importance of prompt de-installation, noting that delays would affect the reputation of the organisers and sponsors, including that of the Kerala government.
"The vitality of funds becomes relevant for us even after the biennale gets over," he pointed out. "For us, the work of a biennale ends only once we deliver back all the works to the artists.
