The popular Kochi Muziris Biennale is about to end but on one side it has got much appreciation and on the other side, it has been accused of not paying the people behind the installations and exhibits of the event.
The biennale that began on December 12 has reached its final week. Every year the exhibition is a big success but it seems the organisation is forgetting those behind the fruitful efforts.
On Friday, an Instagram account called justicefrombiennale18_19 began posting about the workers behind the installations and behind the exhibition pictures on its feed. He also mentioned how the workers have been waiting for their dues for over 4 months.
A post reads “The Architectural and Structural details demanded a lot of precision. The fabricators and all the team were happy to push themselves and race against time. Every skilled soul who worked at the Pavillion is unpaid.”
In 24 hours the account poster 34 Instagram posts and told the details about the work taken up at two of biennale’s main location that includes Sue Williamson’s installation at Aspinwall House and the Pavillion at Cabral Yard.
It was also reported that the work for the event started ate and was done in a rush. The Kochi Biennale Foundation has also served legal notice by Appu Thomas from Thomas Clery Infrastructures and Developers Pvt Ltd on March 18
According to a report by news portals, The infrastructure company threatened criminal and civil proceedings against the foundation for pending dues to the tune of Rs 77,59,277. Vendors who supplied materials to the Biennale have also sent a notice for unpaid dues of Rs 45,75,315.
“Over the past few months, we have repeatedly tried to find a solution that is fair for both parties and have been consistently thwarted by the lack of response from the officials at KBF,” Appu Thomas.
Allegedly the problem began after a week of the starting of Biennale. Reportedly an invoice was raised and once it was submitted an official of the biennale claimed that there was no proper work order and the services of lesser value were used. The valuer’s estimates were lower than the bills raised. In response to that, Appu Thomas told that the Biennale did not get a cost evaluation, but only a quantity evaluation.
