Bengal Biennale: Art, Ecology & Survival Unveiled

The second edition of the Bengal Biennale is set to captivate audiences, bringing together a curated selection of artists and collectives. This year's event, organized by the Gameplan Foundation, will delve into profound themes of ecology, memory, buried histories, and the concept of collective survival. The biennale is scheduled to run from November 26 to January 2, 2027.

Under the theme 'Banalata,' inspired by poet Jibanananda Das's iconic poem and the imagery of wild forest vines, the biennale explores contemporary issues. Co-curated by the artist collective Chander Haat and independent curator Ritika Biswas, the theme emerged from discussions on Bengal's environmental and social landscapes, as well as the melancholic tones in Das's work.

Biswas describes 'Banalata' as a series of eco-political propositions for navigating and resisting an unequal society. The intertwined vine imagery serves as a metaphor for understanding underground networks of solidarity and resistance, with artists addressing subjects like historical injustices and forgotten geological periods.

The biennale's reach extends across significant cultural venues in both Kolkata and Santiniketan. Participating artists include renowned names like Atul Dodiya, Jitish Kallat, and Tejal Shah, alongside historical masters such as Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose.