The fifth edition of the Moscow International Biennale for Young Art officially opens this Friday. It's a vast, sprawling cultural event that celebrates emerging artists and promotes contemporary art in an urban context. Several young curators from Russia and further afield will present exhibitions at various venues around the city, while some parallel projects have already opened. Here's what to look out for over the coming weeks.
For a full program of events, see youngart.ru.
Deep Inside
Deep Inside
The main project entitled "Deep Inside" will take place at Trekhgornaya Factory, a former industrial space that is slowly becoming a new cultural hub for hip Muscovites. Curated by British Nadim Samman, the main project will focus on the virtual and not so virtual ways we can escape our daily routines, including Mars colonization and downshifting. The project aims to explore the question "what if escape from reality is actually a trap?"
Trekhgornaya Manufaktura.15/5 Ulitsa Rochdelskaya. Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda. July 1 through August 10.
Hyperconnected
Hyperconnected/Hicham Berrada (1986, Morocco)
Apart from the main project there are two strategic projects and a whole parallel program of events running as part of the biennale. One of the strategic projects, at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art (MMOMA) is called "Hyperconnected." Curated by Spanish artistic director Joao Laia, it will look at the connections between nature and culture, subject and object in contemporary art.
MMOMA. 7 Yermolayevsky Pereulok. Metro Mayakovskaya, Barrikadnaya. June 30 through August 14.
Time of Reasonable Doubts
Time of Reasonable Doubts
Another strategic project is "Time of Reasonable Doubts," jointly curated by Silvia Franceschini and Valeria Mancinelli. The exhibition explores the meaning of truth and the notion of doubt. The projects on display focus on the role of images — mental, mnemonic or visual — in how we process and form consciousness and truth.
National Center for Contemporary Arts (GTsSI). 13 Zoologicheskaya Ulitsa. Metro Barrikadnaya. June 30 through August 14.
Young Blood
Young Blood
"Young Blood" at Winzavod is probably the most interesting exhibition out of the extensive parallel program. Showcasing young art from Russia, "Young Blood" tries to figure out how it is different from "old art" and what it represents in today's complex world.
Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art. 1/6 4th Syromyatnichesky Pereulok. Metro Kurskaya, Chkalovskaya. June 29 through September 4.
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