The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, that kicked off on December 12 with an all-compassing theme of ‘Possibilities for a non-alienated Life’, has played its part in bringing into limelight stories of the marginalised. Curator Anita Dube, who is known for her critical, politically-driven artwork across media, has sought to create an environment ‘where pleasure and pedagogy could sit together and share a drink’ for the fourth edition of this art exhibition. Apart from emphasising on the paradoxical nature of virtual connectivity, she has also focused on the ‘voice of the marginalised not as victims but as futurism’s cunning and sentient sentinels.’
Two artworks on display at one of the prime venues, Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi, perhaps resonate most with this idea. The first one being Maati Maa meaning Mother Earth by Shambhavi, hailing from Patna. It reaffirms her identity as a nurturer for her love for rural life, especially farmers. The exhibit consists of multiple small-scale installations made out of sieve, hasiya (sickle) and rehat (water garland). A heap of sickles lie on one side of the room, while a six-feet-tall sieve with holes etched in the pattern of a flower stands opposite it. The water wheel, which has tiny plants growing wherever water is stored, seemingly hangs from the ceiling. While the sickle stands for its dual purpose of a farming tool that can also be used as a weapon, the water garland in disuse can be used to “regenerate seeds disappearing from our consciousness”, according to the artist. As a practitioner of abstract art that focuses on the relationship between man and nature, Shambhavi emphasises the need to work in harmony with mother earth to survive. She believes that the farmer alone can fathom the “incandescent rhythm, and the resonance of depth” in her work.
The biennale also brings to us Oorali—a creative collective from Kerala that performs across various art forms, especially music. Oorali, popularly known for their convertible bus which opens into a stage, is seen as the voice of change, with works encompassing themes that include political criticism, environment degradation, human rights and compassion. Focusing on the fishing community in context to the Kerala floods, Oorali is taking their iconic bus—Oorali Express—to the fishing communities who have been instrumental in helping Kerala cope with the disaster. While water was rising at an uncontrollable rate, fishermen rescued people trapped in their houses. The installation includes a smaller replica of their bus and a map with the most affected districts of Kerala.
Oorali Express
Being a historically marginalised section of the society, the fishing community, despite being a distinct characteristic of Kerala, happens to be the poorest in the state. And the farmers, needless to say, have been singularly suffering the wrath of the effects of urbanisation on nature since time immemorial.
