Soil Assembly at Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025

The Soil Assembly at Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025 was a four-day international conference that began on January 20, 2026, focusing on the urgent need to protect the world’s rapidly degrading soil.

Theme & Purpose
- Explored the relationship between art and ecology.
- Aimed to inspire social change by blending environmental awareness with contemporary art.

Opening Address
- Delivered by Bose Krishnamachari, co-founder of the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
- He emphasized the importance of political awareness expressed through art when addressing environmental issues.

International Participation
- Artists and researchers from Brazil, China, Japan, Indonesia, Spain, and Italy joined the sessions.
- Discussions covered wetlands, mangroves, marine trade, and soil microorganisms.

Special Sessions & Workshops
- Anahata Nada (Unstruck Sound) workshop at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary.
- Wild Food Walk led by activist Shruti Therayil, highlighting edible wild plants.
- Screenings of short films, including Uppuveedukal by Aarathi M R, documenting Kerala’s fragile coastal regions.

Voices at the Assembly
- Talks by Meena Vari (co-curator), Mario D’Souza (KBF Director of Programmes), Manoj Kumar (social activist), Asunción Molinos Gordo (Spanish artist), and Ramon Grenden (Swiss permaculture designer).
- Ecuadorian filmmakers Pedro Soler and Daniela Moreno presented a short film on community survival struggles.

Why It Matters
The Soil Assembly underscored that local community resilience is crucial for soil conservation. Without awareness and intervention, experts warned of severe consequences within two decades.