The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) in Kerala, India, titled "For the Time Being," will open on December 12, 2025, and run until March 31, 2026. Curated by artist Nikhil Chopra and his collective HH Art Spaces, the biennial features 66 artists or groups, including Marina Abramović, Tino Sehgal, Otobong Nkanga, Ibrahim Mahama, and Adrián Villar Rojas. South Asian artists make up about two-thirds of the lineup, with works addressing political themes such as the Kashmir conflict and the Gaza genocide, despite a climate of censorship in India. The central venue, Aspinwall House, will be partially used after previous access issues with developer DLF.
This edition matters because it reaffirms the Kochi-Muziris Biennale as a major platform for contemporary art in the Global South, balancing international stars with regional voices. The inclusion of politically charged works, especially those criticizing Indian government actions, tests the boundaries of artistic freedom in a tense national environment. The biennial's funding and venue challenges also highlight the precariousness of large-scale art events in rapidly developing urban contexts.