Art Makes A Statement In Kochi

KOCHI IN KERALA is known for its laid-back charm, its lively dining scene, and the amazing Ayurvedic massages that make you feel a decade younger. Like Luang Prabang and Chiang Rai, it attracts the most discerning of leisure travellers, eager for a relaxed experience a world away from the hustle and bustle of India's major cities.

But last month, its serene bubble was momentarily pricked by the opening of India's biggest visual arts event, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, now running till March 29. Tens of thousands of international visitors descended upon the tiny city - roughly one-seventh the size of Singapore - for a visual feast by some of the world's best contemporary artists.

"Serene" is not at all the tone curator Anita Dube is going for. Ms Dube has gone for broke with the major issues of the day, from #MeToo to environmentalism. And in doing so, she reaffirms Kochi-Muziris Biennale's status as one of the boldest and most relevant art shows in Asia.