Public Art: Contemporary Art in Nontraditional Spaces
(2008)
Workshop: Ashu mountain retreat in the Chon-Kemin National Park
Exhibition: Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts, named after Gapar Aitiev, Bishkek
Curatorial team: Kendal Henry (US), Shaarbek Amankul (KG), Arseny Sergeev (RU)
Participants: Astchik Melkonyan (Armenia), Chingiz(Azerbaijan), Lado Darakhvelidze (Georgia), Mumtoz Kamolzoda (Tajikistan), Pavel Shugurov (Russia), Natalia Pastukhova (Russia), Marina Slobodkina (Russia), Defne Ayas (USA), Hakan Topal (USA), Eugeny Makshakov (Kyrgyzstan), Victor Tcoy (Kyrgyzstan), Kulnar Rymbek (Kyrgyzstan)
The collaboration between Bishkek Art Center and CEC ArtsLink, a New York-based organization, marked a significant milestone in Kyrgyzstan's cultural landscape, as it hosted the country's first international public art workshop. This landmark event brought together artists from the former Soviet Union, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, and the USA. The workshop aimed to achieve three core objectives: to foster dialogue and exchange between artists from diverse regions, to provide training and insights into best practices in public art, and to support the development of contemporary art in Kyrgyzstan.
A key project component was establishing enduring networks among the participating artists, allowing for continued collaboration and information-sharing beyond the workshop. The openness of B'Art to such collaboration is pivotal in strengthening the contemporary art scene in Kyrgyzstan, enabling artists to engage in cross-cultural exchanges that transcend geographical and political boundaries. This collaborative spirit facilitates knowledge sharing and encourages the growth of Kyrgyzstan's artistic community by opening it up to global perspectives.
Public art experts Kendal Henry, from New York and Arseny Sergeev, from Ekaterinburg, led the workshop. They brought their wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, guiding participants through designing, fabricating, and installing public art pieces. Their involvement included delivering lectures on the theory and practice of public art, facilitating in-depth discussions on design and construction challenges, and working closely with the artists as they conceptualized and executed their art installations.
The workshop contributed to the expansion of Kyrgyzstan's contemporary art scene and created a platform for future artistic exchanges and collaborations, reinforcing the growing importance of public art in the region's cultural development. It demonstrated the power of collaboration and openness in fostering creative growth and cultural exchange. By acting as a bridge between artists from different countries and backgrounds, the workshop reinforced the significance of public art as a tool for dialogue, connection, and transformation in Kyrgyzstan and beyond.

