Sixth Kochi-Muziris Biennale to Spread Across 28 Locations

Kochi: The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will be held across 28 different venues, extending from West Kochi to Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. This includes 12 new spaces added to the nine regular locations and seven collateral sites, the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Artists from India and abroad will present contemporary works at these exhibition sites. Since 2012, the Foundation has been converting old warehouses and historic buildings into art spaces for the biennale.

KBF Chairperson Dr. Venu V said the venues were chosen to align with this edition’s curatorial intention, emphasising art as a fluid, evolving process. He noted that each space—from Durbar Hall in Ernakulam to venues in Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Willingdon Island—represents a journey through time, space and life.

The main exhibition, curated by Nikhil Chopra with HH Art Spaces, Goa, will feature works by 66 artists and collectives. Alongside this will be the Invitation Programme; ‘Edam’, showcasing 36 artists and collectives with Kerala connections; and the Students’ Biennale, featuring student artists from seven regions across India.

The Art By Children (ABC) initiative, which seeks to make quality art education accessible to children, and the Residency Programme aimed at promoting international collaboration through partnerships with collectives and art institutions, will also be part of the festival.

Preparations are in progress at all venues for Asia’s largest contemporary art festival, which opens to the public on December 12 and will run for 110 days.

In Fort Kochi, the new venues include St. Andrew's Parish Hall (Students’ Biennale, Invitations); Arthshila, Kochi (Students’ Biennale); Jail of Freedom Struggle (Invitations); and Water Metro (ABC).

In Mattancherry, additional venues along Bazaar Road include BMS Warehouse (Students’ Biennale); 111 Markaz and Café (KMB); SMS Hall (KMB); Devassy Jose and Sons (Invitations, Residency); Simi Warehouse (Invitations); Cube Art Spaces (Edam); and Space, Indian Chamber of Commerce (KMB, Invitations, Students’ Biennale).

On Willingdon Island, Island Warehouse (KMB) will serve as a major exhibition site, located beside the Water Metro station.

All venues are connected through the Water Metro system, ensuring easy movement for visitors across the city during the event.