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Belarus pavilion to open at Biennale Arte on 9 May

MINSK, 13 March (BelTA) – The work on the sculptural multimedia production Exit by Konstantin Selikhanov and Olga Rybchinskaya is nearing completion. The artwork will be presented at the 58th International Art Exhibition Biennale Arte 2019 on 9 May, BelTA learned from commissar of the Belarusian pavilion, Director of the National Center for Contemporary Arts Sergei Krishtapovich.

The contest for the best concept of the Belarusian pavilion at Biennale Arte 2019 was held by the Culture Ministry and the National Center for Contemporary Arts. A total of 18 applications were received. “There were some interesting projects, but they did not stand out. At the same time, the concept by sculptor Konstantin Selikhanov and art expert and historian Olga Rybchinskaya was the most impressive and relevant, taking into consideration that the slogan and the theme of the biennale is May You Live In Interesting Times. This concept demonstrates new original ideas of contemporary art in Belarus. In my view, our project Exit has all chances to claim the highest award,” the commissar said.

The Exit work consists of five depersonalized human-sized sculptures bearing easily recognizable features of time and living environment. All the figures can be transformed into multimedia objects. “For example, a figure and a neon caption interact with each other as a single module. There are five such modules that act as a single installation delivering our message. Thus, a single space is formed. The installation allows each of the five sculptures to achieve a certain impact, at the same time it creates a common aura and atmosphere of indirect statement and incomplete message,” project curator Olga Rybchinskaya said.

Konstantin Selikhanov noted that his works tell personal stories. “My generation has experienced all transition stages from the Soviet Union to the new era. The task was to blur these boundaries, so that the project could be understood not only by people from the former Soviet Union, but also Europeans. After all, an artist captures and conveys all the fluctuations in the world and society, while art acts as a kind of indicator for these sentiments and fluctuations. I hope that our project will convey our message to people of all generations, including the youth,” he said.

The 58th International Art Exhibition Biennale Arte 2019 will take place from 11 May to 24 November.

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