The Pune Biennale all set to launch on Jan 5, 2017

Known as the cultural capital and educational hub, Pune is all set to host the third edition of the Pune Biennale that will start in January 2017. This edition will feature renowned artists from 18 countries including India.  Pune is the only other city in India apart from KochiI, to host its own biennale. With the aim to engage with citizens in public spaces, this year’s theme revolves around identity and self.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Dr Kiran Shinde, Managing Director of the Pune Biennale Foundation said that this year the aim of the biennale is to have art that is inclusive, “There are seven major projects under the biennale. We want to have public intervention in a direct manner. We are even using shipping containers to showcase art in them.”

Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, President of the foundation said that Pune has gradually developed into a premium art platform and has established its position amongst the other Biennales happening across the globe. “It is a sense of great pride for all of us, to be able to put our city and country on the global map.”

Expressing his full support and visible enthusiasm, Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Kunal Kumar said that such events hold a very important place on the city’s calendar. Speaking on the issue of how this is a catalyst for Pune towards the Smart City mission Kumar said, “A smart city is all about celebrating your city and making it more liveable. You get to celebrate your existence in the city through inward and outward engagement. We have in fact listed down subways and made an opportunity available to architecture students to get their inputs on how subways can be more accessible to commuters.”

The Biennale will consist of various workshops, seminars, installations and displays of art work around the city. The main project this year is ‘Habit-Co-Habit’ which is about how different living beings coexist. This is being curated by art historian and curator, Zasha Colah and art critic, Luca Cerizza. The biennale will start from January 5 and run till 29 Jan 2017.

Vijayta Lalwani