KOCHI: The renovation of the art gallery on the Durbar Hall Ground to international standards as part of conducting Biennale, a two-month arts festival, has raised the eyebrows of the local artists who fear that the exhibition at the gallery after the renovation will be a costly affair.The gallery was used by artists from various parts of the state to exhibit their works at a low cost. Some artists are of the view that the Biennale being organised by a private organisation will harm the interests of the artists in Kerala.Cyril P Jacob, an artist based in Kochi, said there was no transparency in the deal between the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi and the organisers of the Biennale. When the renovation began, the office of the Central Lalithakala Akademi, which was a channel for the artists to communicate with the Central Akademi, was closed.The state government has allotted `5 crore to the private organisation to renovate the gallery. There is no transparency on the mode of utilising the amount. The conditions put forward by the organisers are also not clear.The Akademi used to provide grant to artists to conduct exhibitions. But this was stopped a year ago. The gallery is an archaeologically important building and it is being renovated without consulting the Archaeology Department.“The artists who are economically backward will find it hard to conduct exhibition at the gallery hereafter as more posh facilities have been included in the gallery. Usually, the printing of pictures would cost nearly ` 30,000 and a possible hike in rent will force the artists to look for some other options,” sources said.It has also been pointed out that after the renovation, a huge amount will be required for maintenance which has to be spent by the Akademi. The artists are not responding as they are not aware of the condition of the gallery after the Biennale.Akademi secretary Sreemoolanagaram Mohan said that the art gallery would be given to the organisers of Biennale only for three months in two years. It will be owned by the Akademi and steps would be taken to promote the skills of artists in Kerala, Mohan said.Referring to the possibility of rent hike, he said that the committee members of the Akademi would discuss the matter and take decisions favourable to the artists. He said there were no major changes in the architecture of the art gallery and only certain changes to exhibit the pictures were being made.The two-month festival, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, will be launched in Kochi in February next year. Nearly 100 top artists from more than 35 countries will participate in it. The Biennale will be organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation by joining hands with the Central and the state governments. It will also be held in various locations in the city, including the historic venues that are already listed in the Muziris heritage project.
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