Artists blame Kochi Biennale Foundation for organizational failings and lack of transparency, demand course correction

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Over 50 guest artists of the 202223 edition of the Kochi-Muziris (KMB) Biennale in an open letter blamed the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) for poor planning, poor communication and confusion following the rollout delayed production staff, which adversely affected their creative efforts.

Our overall analysis, drawn from many individual experiences, is that the way the KMB is currently organized hinders the artistic process and closes off opportunities for artists rather than fostering them. Anxieties were also present in previous editions, but they have become more prominent in this 202223 edition. We ask the Biennale to move away from a system of accepted dysfunction, structural helplessness and fear of failure, towards an environment of mutual respect, honesty and care for artists, curators and all production workers. This is what we expressed during our crisis meetings with the Biennale Foundation, and we remain committed to these demands, indicates the letter signed by 53 artists invited for the fifth edition of the KMB.

The last-minute postponement of the main exhibition had angered artists as they pointed out that the KBF should have taken the decision to postpone it weeks earlier, when many failures were already apparent, long before thousands of visitors art lovers don’t come for the opening. day, and most of the artists themselves had to return and could not stay to see their own work installed or engage with the work of other artists and visitors.

Artists blamed organizers for poor communication as they received no responses to phone calls and emails in the months before the Biennale opened. False pledges were continually given. Rather than a frank and honest assessment and response to questions and issues raised by artists. Empty promises were made, they said.

The letter said opaque financial planning and last-minute fundraising resulted in delays and uncertainties in artists’ productions and an inability to confirm venue materials and technical equipment. Although this edition took place two years later than originally planned, financing, contracts and financial planning were chaotic. At the same time, 40 new commissions were announced.

The scale and ambition of the Biennale must be adapted to its financial situation. Institutional optimism that everything will work out is not a viable strategy for producing such an ambitious event, and artists and production staff should not bear an unreasonable burden for it, he said.

The lack of competent people at the right time, despite constant calls from curators and artists, was another problem. Production crews were hired two, four, six and eight weeks before the opening date. This has led to countless problems, including unprepared exhibition sites, missing expertise to handle international shipments, technical and audio-video issues, missing contracts, and a general lack of skills in anything related to shipping. exhibition of works of art.

A decade of experience has not translated into a better prepared situation. Although there are perfectly organized events of this scale in Kerala, the Biennale Foundation has consistently shifted blame rather than identifying and addressing the real causes, according to the artists. KBF representatives indicated that they would submit a detailed response to the concerns raised by the artists while stressing that they had already informed them of the many challenges facing the foundation.

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