Jitish Kallat, a 39-year-old reputed artist born and raised in Mumbai, has been selected as the curator for the second edition of India’s only biennale.
Jitish Kallat was selected by a special Artistic Advisory Committee chosen by the Kochi Biennale Foundation. The committee which is meant to rotate every two years included the art historian Ms. Geeta Kapur, the director of Bhau Daaji Laad Museum Ms. Tasneem Zackeria Mehta, Artist Ms, Sheela Gowda, Director of Outset and the Gujral Foundation Ms. Feroze Gujral, , Artist Mr. Balan Nambiar, Curator and Gallerist Mr. Abhay Maskara, and the President and the General Secretary of the Kochi Biennale Foundation Mr. Bose Krishnamachari and Mr. Riyas Komu.
The decision to appoint Jitish Kallat as the curator for Kochi Muziris Biennale, 2014 was made unanimously by the committee. The official statement from the committee states, “To continue the unique character of this artist led Biennale we are selecting Jitish Kallat as the new curator for the 2014 edition. Jitish brings immense international experience to the next Biennale. He possesses sound theoretical knowledge about contemporary art along with a diverse yet meticulous approach to his own practice. We are confident that Jitish will curate an innovative and experiential second edition.”
In the run-up to 2014, the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) is planning to engage in a wide variety of educational and cultural activities. The KBF also plans to introduce a number of programmes, specifically for children, the trustees said, thanking the Kerala government for its support in the conduct of the first edition of the biennale.
As an international platform of contemporary art, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale had its inaugural edition highlighting works by 89 artists from 23 countries. It saw revelry of different mediums, including painting, sculpture, installation, film, digital media and performing arts at sites in Kochi and the Muziris region. Nearly 400,000 people visited the 96-day show which started on 12/12/12.
Jitish Kallat, the curator for the 2014 edition of the Kochi-Muziris biennale. Photo Courtesy Kochi-Muziris biennale.