BMW India has once again parked itself firmly in the cultural fast lane, presenting the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) — South Asia’s largest contemporary art biennale — and proving that the Bavarian giant isn’t just good at sculpting metal, but also at nurturing imagination.
Since the Biennale’s debut in 2012, BMW has been its official partner, making this a 13-year friendship stronger than most New Year resolutions. This year’s edition, curated by artist Nikhil Chopra in collaboration with HH Art Spaces, features 66 artist projects from over 25 countries, spanning a vast creative spectrum that comfortably fits everything from visual stories to performative experiments. The Biennale opened its doors to the public on 12 December 2025 and will continue for a full four months — because world-class art, like a BMW engine, is best enjoyed unrushed.
“Art Moves Us Forward”—BMW
Hardeep Singh Brar, President & CEO, BMW Group India, shared BMW’s continued commitment with a touch of poetry:
“Art inspires progressive thinking… The Biennale’s spirit of openness mirrors BMW’s philosophy of redefining possibility.”
In other words: whether it’s a canvas or a car, innovation is still king.
29 Venues. One City. Infinite Conversations.
The Biennale unfolds across 29 venues in Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam — transforming Kerala’s historic harbour into a giant open-air textbook of creativity. Visitors will experience exhibitions, performances, discursive programmes and more, each interacting with Kochi’s layered geography, cultures and communities.
This edition’s curatorial theme — “friendship economies” — takes a warm, relational approach to art-making. It explores bodies as vessels of labour, joy, memory and inherited stories, inviting visitors to reflect on the techniques and tales passed down through generations. In short, the Biennale is asking everyone to look inward, think deeply… and maybe take a break from Instagram filters for a moment.
BMW & Indian Art: A Long Road, Beautifully Travelled
BMW’s cultural engagement in India is as vibrant as the artworks on display:
- In 2007, BMW showcased Art Cars by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein at Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery.
- Multiple editions of the India Art Fair have seen BMW Art Cars by Warhol, Jeff Koons, Sandro Chia and Cesar Manrique.
- “The Future is Born of Art”, an ongoing initiative with India Art Fair, champions sustainability, innovation and emerging Indian talent.
- The BMW Guggenheim Lab (2012–13) travelled to Mumbai, sparking six weeks of free public programmes around urban life.
- Above all, BMW’s steadfast partnership with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale since 2012 has helped transform it into a global cultural landmark—one that continues to attract artists, thinkers and curious wanderers from across the world.
A Partnership That Runs on Creativity, Not Horsepower
While BMW is known for building machines that move people physically, its artistic partnerships prove the company is just as committed to moving people emotionally. In a world that’s often rushing from point A to B, BMW and KMB together remind us to pause, observe, and let art take the wheel once in a while.
And honestly, if there’s any place where creativity and engineering can shake hands, it’s Kochi — a city that has never shied away from bold ideas, colourful juxtapositions, and now, a splash of Bavarian flair.
