Thiruvananthapuram: Sudarshan Shetty was chosen as the curator of third edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale curator on Wednesday. Shetty, who was born in Mangaluru, studied in J.J. School of Arts. Excerpts from an interview with him
Are you apprehensive about the big responsibility you have taken in Kerala?
I don't give much thought to apprehension. I know the curatorship of biennale is a responsible position. But things are bound to happen in the coming days and I will start thinking about it when it happens.
A job of a curator is different from that of an artist as it involves lot of administrative work. Have you started your preparations for that?
I started it from yesterday. Things which happen from now onwards will be new. I am looking forward to that.
What is your impression about Kerala and the art scene in the State?
I have learned a lot about Kerala when I was studying and I liked it. Since I was born in South India, it was easy for me to understand Kerala.
Do you watch Malayalam movies?
Yes. I am a great fan of John Abraham. His place is assured in any film society in India. I saw his movies when I was a student. I don't remember the number of times I saw the film Amma Ariyan. I also like films of Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Elippathayam is one film which still intrigues me.
As an organiser of an event which attracts more than 5 lakh visitors despite the hot political climate in the State, don't you feel that you will have to overcome a lot of obstacles in the coming days ?
Sure, though art and artist are not directly associated with politics, biennale certainly is. My friends had warned me about this when I told them about the curatorship of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. As someone who was born in Mangaluru and lived in places like Mumbai, politics is nothing new to me. But from now on I need to look at things a lot closer.
Can art forms of Kerala be part of the biennale?
It is a difficult question to answer. It is difficult to change the art forms into the format of a biennale. An attempt was made last year and I will try to continue it.
What is that you like the most in Kerala?
I don't know much about this place. Apart from cinema and arts in Kerala, the other thing which I like is appam and stew.