INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC ART FESTIVAL
ART PROSPECT BISHKEK: BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO GREEN ZONES
22–24 September 2017
Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic
Ulitsa Akhunbaeva 1a/2
Ulitsa M. Gorkogo 212
The opening of the festival takes place at 6 pm on 22 September in the Gareev Botanical Garden, Ulitsa Akhunbaeva 1a/2
Art Prospect is an annual festival of public art initiated by the non-profit organization CEC ArtsLink in 2012. The festival alters the customary urban landscape and fills streets, courtyards, parks and other public spaces with works of contemporary art. Between 2012 and 2016, Art Prospect was held in Saint Petersburg. In 2017 the festival is expanding its geography and will take place for the first time outside Russia – in the city of Bishkek.
The main venue chosen for the festival is the Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. Created back before the Second World War, the garden is a unique research facility (the Botanical Garden occupies first place in Central Asia for the range of species growing there) and a precious public space. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, it suffered the fate of many state institutions: lack of finance, the pressures of the new free-market economy and, as a consequence, an attempt at “re-profiling”.
Despite all the difficulties, the staff of the garden preserved its unique collections of plants and the integrity of its territories. Through the efforts of local and international non-governmental and scientific organizations, a concept was formulated for its development as a unique “Asiatic mountain garden”. Thanks to the broad public response and the involvement of civil society, the people of the city have managed to breathe new life into the garden. The fight for the Botanical Garden is an example of the defence of public spaces in Bishkek and the festival is one more initiative aimed at supporting it.
The festival organizers and artists invite people to rethink areas in the Botanical Garden, using the devices of art, design and architecture, helping to create a setting for informal gatherings of Bishkekians of any age or grouping. The objects and installations are intended to become ideas–motifs that serve as the kernel for reflective consideration of “green zones” as a necessary part of public spaces – places not just for relaxation, but also for the discussion of burning issues and for the education of the city’s people.
Individual artists and teams from Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine and the USA are participating in the festival. Events will include master classes for young artists, meetings with artists and curators and tours of the festival objects.
Festival participants:
Sergei Shabokhin, Belarus
Katharina Stadler and Tornike Asabashvili, Georgia
Naili Vakkhaniya and Tamar Botchorishvili, Georgia
Gennady Popesku, Moldova
Kendal Henry, USA
Billy Dufala, USA
Meder Akhmetov, Kyrgyzstan
Zulaika Esentaeva, Kyrgyzstan
Nurlan Kalchinov, Kyrgyzstan
Veronika Kapishnikova, Kyrgyzstan
Emil Tilekov, Kyrgyzstan
Zhazgul Madazimova, Kyrgyzstan
Chinara Niyazova, Kyrgyzstan
MoveGreen youth ecological movement, Kyrgyzstan
Dara Turmagambetova, Kyrgyzstan
Kamilla Yusupova and Luka Adrekhal, Kyrgyzstan
Zhanna Tabyshalieva and Bakyt Sargazakov, Kyrgyzstan
Diana Rakhmanova, Kyrgyzstan
Atai Samyibek uulu, Adilet Nazyranbekov, Eldar Esen uulu, Kyrgyzstan
Aitegin Muratbek uulu and Zhanar Ubukeev, Kyrgyzstan
Zhanna Kadyrova, Ukraine
Maria Uvarova and Dima Fatum, Ukraine
Festival curators: Gulmar Kasmalieva, Muratbek Djumaliev
Festival organizers: ОО ArtEast with the support of CEC ArtsLink as part of the Art Prospect project.
Partners:
Gareev Botanical Garden, scientific research institute of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic
OF Initsiativa “Archa”
OF Yrgystan
Laboratoria ci
Bishkek Mayor's Office
Analytical Center «BizExpert»
Green Economy Kyrgyzstan
The Trust for Mutual Understanding
Contact for the media: Gulnara Chekirova. Tel.: 0555 15 77 35.