Search is on for a permanent venue.

The Hindu: Priyadarshini S, : Kochi: Saturday: December 03, 2022.

Spread over 16 venues across Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, KMB-5 will exhibit works of 90 artists.

Since its inception in 2012, the Kochi Muziris Biennale has been in search of a permanent venue. The Aspinwall House, a waterfront building in Fort Kochi dating back to 1867, has been the main venue since the first edition and lends itself to an avant-garde show. Owned by the Delhi-based realty firm DLF, the building is hired for the four months of the KMB and is closed for the rest of the year. As a result, it requires maintenance work and substantial sprucing up ahead of the biennale. Tourism director P.B. Nooh says that State government has been actively trying to acquire Aspinwall House. “The issue of a permanent venue for KMB will soon be sorted,” he said, adding that the property if acquired, will belong to the Tourism department and be used for related cultural events.

However, applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act filed by Raju Vazhakkala to Ernakulam District Collector, Culture Minister, and the Chief Minister’s Office seeking details pertaining to the discussions to acquire Aspinwall House elicited the response that no information pertaining to the same was available.