Kochi: The business community and artistes in Kerala have come together to boost the second edition of the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB), pledging Rs 25 lakh worth of sponsorships so far for the 108-day-long mega art festival which begins on December 12.
At a unique “sponsor-a-day” fundraising event which also marked the launch of Spice Harbour, a new waterfront hotel and restaurant in Mattancherry old and new businesses in the city ranging from media and education to construction, hospitality and automobiles, threw their weight behind the efforts to put “Kochi on the map”.
Sponsors have already booked about 10 days of the Biennale for funding support, with more expected to chip in over the coming days.
George M George, executive director of Muthoot Leisure & Hospitality Services (MLHS), who was instrumental in organising the fundraising, highlighted the role of art in society. “Art has always had patrons, whether in Europe or in Mughal India,” he said.
“We urge young entrepreneurs to set a precedent for a vibrant private-public partnership for the arts,” said KMB director Bose Krishnamachari.
Filmmaker Aashiq Abu and wife Rima Kallingal sponsored a day on behalf of Café Papaya. “It is the least that we could do after what Bose and Riyas Komu have done to bring international calibre art to Kochi,” said Rima.
As part of the fundraising drive, a person or company could sponsor a day at the Biennale by donating Rs 2.5 lakh. Weekends, and KMB opening and closing days are valued higher.
The second edition of the KMB, curated by artist Jitish Kallat, will showcase 95 artists from 30 countries. In August, 2014, the Kochi Biennale Foundation got a long-term patron in UAE-based businessman T V Narayanan Kutty, who came forward to donate Rs 1 crore per year for the conduct of the KMB.
