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The main venue choosen for the Art Prospect is the Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The theme of the festival is Breathing New Life into Green Zones. 

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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”. The festival organizers and artists invited 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 participated in the festival. Festival curators: Gulmar Kasmalieva, Muratbek Djumaliev.

 

Festival organizers: ОО ArtEast with the support of CEC ArtsLink as part of the Platform Art Prospect project. 

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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, The Trust for Mutual Understanding.

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