Munich/Kochi. Since its very first edition in 2012, BMW has been official partner of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB). For the sixth Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the Kochi Biennale Foundation is proud to announce Nikhil Chopra with HH Art Spaces as the new curatorial team. The biennale will open to the public on 12 December 2025 for a period of four months.
The selection of the curator was made by a committee of eminent Indian and international art world figures (Shanay Jhaveri, Dayanita Singh, Rajeeb Samdani, Jitish Kallat and Bose Krishnamachari). The announcement was made by the Chief Minister of Kerala, the honorable Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala’s state capital, Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of the curator and key representatives of KBF.
Nikhil Chopra: “The very edge of the peninsula of the Indian Subcontinent is the setting for an international contemporary art exhibition. Perhaps the most international corner of the world, Kerala is where boats from distant lands have harboured to trade and exchange aspects of the human legacy in the form of objects, edibles and consumables for thousands of years. I along with my team HH Art Spaces find myself with the incredible task and humbling privilege of bringing sixty contemporary artists and artistic practices from India and the world into the present, to ignite conversations about being human; poetic and political, in a place where the ancient, the modern and the contemporary have always been in critical dialogue with each other, with the desire to turn ideas and knowledge into wisdom.”
Bose Krishnamachari, President of Kochi-Muziris Biennale:“We are thrilled to announce Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces as the curators for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025. Their deep-rooted commitment to the arts, along with their visionary approach to curating, will undoubtedly shape a remarkable chapter for the Biennale. Nikhil’s unique perspective, paired with the creative energy of HH Art Spaces, promises to bring fresh dialogue and innovative perspectives to this global platform. We look forward to witnessing the transformative experience they will create for artists, audiences, and the community alike.”
BMW Group India Cultural EngagementSince its inception, BMW India has participated in leading cultural engagements across the country. In 2007, two BMW Art Cars created by world renowned artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein were presented at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai. BMW Art Cars by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Sandro Chia and Cesar Manrique have been exclusively showcased at various editions of the India Art Fair. “The Future is Born of Art” is a unique initiative by BMW India and India Art Fair which aims to propel emerging Indian artists and further BMW Group’s commitment to promote art, sustainability, and innovation. In 2012-13, the innovative BMW Guggenheim Lab came to India. Based at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum and conducted at six different sites in Mumbai, the lab organised six weeks of free programme with diverse audience and communities addressing the challenges and conditions of the urban city.
Since 2012, BMW has partnered with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the contemporary art exhibition, which brings international artists to India and creates a global platform for Indian artists. This vital and dynamic partnership has been instrumental in shaping the Biennale into a global cultural landmark. BMW Group’s continued commitment, even in uncertain times, highlights the profound belief in the power of art and culture to unite and inspire.
“The pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for the arts community worldwide. The BMW Group’s unwavering support during this period was a testament to their dedication not only to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale but to the resilience of the arts,” said a spokesperson of Kochi Biennale Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for their belief in our vision, which enabled us to continue nurturing creativity and collaboration even during those trying times.”