Kochi Biennale becomes part of knowledge production network

Kochi, Feb 10 (IANS) The Kochi Biennale Foundation has joined up with 10 leading contemporary art institutions to create a hub for collaboration in art and become a part of the knowledge production and exchange network.

The KBF's tie-up with the institutions from across South Asia and Britain is expected to provide fillip to art in India.

In a statement on Friday at the ongoing biennale, the KBF said over a three-year programme of exhibitions and other events, the 'New North and South' network would showcase the best of contemporary art in both regions.

The network would also promote their artistic and intellectual expressions and explore their shared heritage and contested histories.

The initiative sees the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the Dhaka Art Summit, the Karachi and Lahore Biennales and the Colombo Biennale from the sub-continent come together in partnership with such major contemporary arts organisations from northern Britain as the Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth Art Gallery, the Manchester Museum, the Liverpool Biennial and The Tetley art gallery along with the British Council.

"In keeping with its mandate to collaborate and engage, the Foundation is proud to work with a range of partners in South Asia and in the UK on this long term initiative to share knowledge and creativity across the world," said KBF President Bose Krishnamachari.

"We thank the Arts Council of England for their support and look forward to a productive and shared future," he said.

The on-ground programme begins in Manchester in March with a retrospective of photographs by Sooni Taraporevala at the Whitworth.

In parallel to the public programmes, the network would facilitate a series of residencies hosted by the Liverpool Biennial. The residencies would enable mid-career artists from South Asia to work with, or be supported by, artists and curators with international reputations.

Noting that the biennales in South Asia were at the forefront of nurturing new artistic talent in the region, Jim Hollington, Director Arts South Asia, British Council, said, they are delighted to have helped match them with their peers in the North of England.

"The resulting exchange and collaboration will strengthen the institutions and individuals involved, and deepen understanding between people in Britain and South Asia of each other's creative talent," said Hollington.

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