Swiss artist to conduct month-long workshop on making art for the public

Kochi, Feb 28: A month-long workshop on the importance of interactive art will start this weekend as part of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, with Paris-based Thomas Hirschhorn training participants under an off-beat project titled ‘Energy: Yes! Quality: No!’.

The 61-year-old Swiss artist, known for his eclectic and energetic installations made from everyday objects like cardboard, aluminum foil, tape, and plastic wrap, informs that the criterion for participation in the March 2-28 event is simple: “Everybody must bring something they’ve made (a drawing, text, or other project) to share with the group.”

Currently, the registration for the workshop is open. Those interested can email at applications@kochimuzirisbiennale.org.

Anita Dube, who is curator of the fourth edition of the ongoing 108-day biennale, says the broad idea of the Hirschhorn workshop is a discussion on various art topics and shares one’s impressions. “The master will judge the works through questions and debate,” she adds. “The workshop is open for all. It is meant to give form to the possibility for a more generous judging of the work people produce in a way that — as the project’s title denotes — isn’t based on the empty pretexts of quality.”

The aim is to enable participants abandon the notion that judgement is negative. Hirschhorn wants to create a generative space for the participant.