PA/56/12 13 December 2012
Australian exhibits at India's first Biennale in Kerala
Australian artists will exhibit their artworks at India's first Biennale, 'Kochi¬ Muziris Biennale', which opened in Kerala on 12 December.
“Australian artists have found acclaim around the world. It is fantastic to have such an array of talented artists from Australia represented at India’s first Biennale. The scale and diversity of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale make it a truly unique and exciting event” said Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australia's Acting High Commissioner.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale will acknowledge the cosmopolitan modernity of Kochi and the international connections established through the ancient port of Muziris that existed 30km north of Kerala’s current commercial capital. Approximately 80 Indian and international artists will install artworks in waterfront spice warehouses, colonial bungalows, public spaces and the 150-year-old Royal Courthouse, or Durbar Hall, of the Maharaja of Kochi, spectacularly converted into a gallery worthy of a place on the international art circuit.
The Biennale curators travelled to Australia and selected an exciting group of Australian artists – Marco Fusinato (http://www.marcofusinato.com/), Hossein Valamanesh (http://www.greenaway.com.au/Artists/Hossein-Valamanesh.html), Daniel Connell (http://www.greenaway.com.au/Artists/Ariel-Hassan.html), Ariel Hassan (http://www.arielhassan.com/), Angelica Mesiti (http://angelicamesiti.com) and Dylan Martorell (http://dylanmartorell.blogspot.com.au/) - to take part in this celebration of contemporary art from around the world, which is expected to become one of Asia's best art events.
Presented as part of Oz Fest, the Australian artists are supported by the Australia International Cultural Council (AICC), the Australia Council and Asialink.
Oz Fest is the biggest Australian cultural festival ever staged in India. The Australian Government is working with 24 government, business, institutional and production partners to present over 100 events in 18 locations across India between October and February 2013. Oz Fest is the Australia International Cultural Council’s focus country program for 2012.
For more information about Oz Fest visit: www.ozfestindia.com, www.facebook.com/ozfestinindia or follow us on twitter @OzFestIndia.