Kochi
Kochi Muziris Biennale.
This was my first visit to see the biennale. Firstly, I was impressed with the new solar-powered International Airport at Kochi,
an engineering and architectural achievement. The next thing you see outside the airport are the drivers men in their crisp
white shirts and 'mundus'. They spoke impeccable English in a South-Indian accent, while taking us to our homestay in
Fort Kochi - the heritage part of town and the heart of the biennale.
On the road, you can't help but notice an almost wild, rustic greenery that descends onto every part of the city. While getting
into Fort Kochi, we went through small lanes, and even smaller by-lanes where most vehicles can't even get through. The closely packed warehouses are all wooden with rickety stairs, large windows and overwhelmingly huge doors that lead to more doors. Every art venue of the biennale had doors hanging on old rusty hinges, peeling paint, moss covered tiles and musty walls.
They owe this grunge look to the humid, salty sea breeze blowing from Kochi's backwaters.
Che Guevara and communism are omnipresent in Kochi.
Art aside, every location of the biennale had a rustic, old, used feeling. This was a door in the Dutch Warehouse that caught my attention.
An old wooden carved door for sale at a wood carving shop and unit in Jew Town, Fort Kochi.
An old warehouse, that is now used as a residence and office space.
The city offers interesting views and glimpses of streets-within-streets and houses that are viewed through houses, due to the architecture.
Another large, old beautiful door at Ginger House that overlooks the backwaters and the ports of Kochi.
A window in Aspinwall House that is used as a part of a typographical installation, with a message.
A ceiling created as an installation that is eco-friendly while reflecting our culture. Fashioned from sari's that change colours due to projected lights.
A wall depicting the city, seaside, rocks, urban life and stray animals beautifully captured by a group of artists in the biennale.
Nameless faces in clay. An art installation at the biennale, which reminds me of the wall in the room of the 'Many Faced God' in the popular TV series, Game of Thrones.
An old, rundown shop that is closed near Napier Street, Fort Kochi.
Being a port town Kochi is a mix of different communities that came and settled down over the years. This was a warehouse cum wholesale shop operated by Gujarati traders.
Dry fruits, sweets and spices, bottled up, in the local market.
Local spices and dried seeds at the market in Kochi.
A beautiful sunset at a small private pier, overlooking the backwaters.
