In the wake of a much-discussed controversy over government funding for the proposed Kochi Muziris Biennale, a group of artists has demanded that the Kochi Biennale Foundation should be disbanded.
Artists of Lantern Fine Arts Society told mediapersons here on Saturday that the state government should conduct a vigilance inquiry into the alleged anomalies in the use of government fund by the foundation.
“The credibility of the foundation is being questioned and the Mumbai-based artists, with two artists as key members, has no previous experience in conducting such a mega event. No artist from the state has representation in the foundation,” said Lantern secretary G. Ajith Kumar.
"The foundation, which spent crores from the government exchequer for personal needs and extravaganza, is misleading the public," he alleged.
There are widespread allegations regarding the spending of ` 5 crore, released to the foundation by the tourism department.
The Foundation had submitted a ‘utility certificate’ to the government, when asked to present details of expense, he alleged.
Though a group of leading artists had submitted a memorandum to the government seeking a probe into the scam, no steps had been taken so far.
This was despite the fact that the culture minister, Mr K.C Jospeh, had promised one, he said.
Among those who attended the meeting were Sree Lal and Robert Lopez.