Livingetc’s insider edit of the boldest, most thought-provoking installations and artworks across Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2026

Set along the water’s edge and inside weathered warehouses that still carry the salt and stories of another time, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale feels less like an exhibition and more like a living, breathing city-wide conversation. Now in its sixth edition, titled For the Time Being and curated by artist Nikhil Chopra, the festival unfolds across 22 venues in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, bringing together 66 artists from over 25 countries through installations, paintings and performances that stretch far beyond the limits of the gallery. Since its founding by Bose Krishnamachari, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has also reshaped the Fort Kochi area, drawing in cafés, galleries and cultural spaces with every edition. It is an invitation to wander slowly and seek out the artworks and immersive installations that shift how space feels and experience stories stay with you.