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Temporary Temple of the New Genius

59th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy, 2022

 

Makeshift installation in the form of a performative space created for the first Kazakhstan's pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale in response to the late arrival of works due to the war of Russia against Ukraine

Photo by Darya Jumelya

Concept and curation: Rustem Begenov and Alexandra Morozova

Set-design: Alexandr Bakanov

 

Due to the war of Russia against Ukraine, the works for the project for Kazakhstan's pavilion didn't arrive on time for the opening week of the Venice Biennale, thus making unable for ORTA to launch and present the designed Center for the New Genius during the opening of the Biennale. Instead of leaving the pavilion empty, ORTA created a makeshift installation having implied the principles of the New Genius—the Temporary Temple of the New Genius.

Articles

 

Venice Biennale 2022 closing review: who, how and what on earth? (en)

Kazakhstan Pavilion art collective ORTA also faced setbacks due to war-related freight delays but quickly adapted to create an improvised, locally sourced set in which to stage their performances. 

22 Nov 2022, Harried Lloyd-Smith, Wallpaper*

 

The show must go on: how artists and curators battled with global crises to reach the Venice Biennale (en)

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ORTA's "LAI-PI-CHU-PLEE-LAPA Centre for the New Genius" (en)

Organized by the transdisciplinary ORTA collective and based on the writings of Kazakhstani artist, writer, and inventor Sergey Kalmykov (1891-1967), the Kazakhstan Pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale comprises immersive scenography made from the simplest materials.

10 Jun 2022, Inga Lāce, e-flux Criticism

 

Something from Nothing: How Did Kazakhstan Rescue Their Venice Show? (en)

When the war in Ukraine scuppered their hi-tech plans, the organisers of the country's pavilion had to dream up an emergency replacement.

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Venice Delays (en)

The group is planning to run performances in an ad hoc space during the first week of the Biennale, but still hopes to put the full exhibition together by mid-May, a month after the Biennale’s official opening.

May 2022, Art Monthly #456

 

Why the Venice Biennale matters (en)

As British artist Sonia Boyce is awarded the Golden Lion, the importance of the politics, social commentary, and aesthetic trends on view at the Olympics of contemporary art

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The 59th Venice Biennale: British pavilion wins Golden Lion Award (en)

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Зачем министру шапочка из фольги? (ru)

23 апреля стартовала Венецианская биеннале, а 19-го состоялось открытие национального павильона Казахстана. В числе официальных лиц на этом мероприятии были и министр культуры и спорта Даурен АБАЕВ, и посол Казахстана в Италии Ерболат СЕМБАЕВ. Гости честно надели шапочки из фольги и специальные костюмы, которые дважды в день будут предлагать участникам перформансов.

25 Apr 2022, Kseniya Evdokimenko, Time.kz

 

The Art Collective Behind the Improvised Kazakhstan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Has a Simple Message: 'Everyone Is an Artist' (en)

The pavilion, inspired by outsider artist Sergey Kalmykov, has a hopeful and inspiring hopeful message.

24 Apr 2022, Sarah Cascone, Artnet News

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Venice Biennale 2022: the must-see collateral exhibitions around the city (en)

What should an artist do when shorn of their art? Improvise. ORTA Collective were chosen to represent Kazakhstan for the Central Asian country’s first-ever pavilion at the Venice Biennale. But just days before the opening of the Venice Biennale, the collective learnt their combined years of work was stuck in transit at the Georgian border. There was no hope of arrival in time for the vernissage; another consequence of the Ukrainian war.

21 Apr 2022, Gareth Harris, Hannah McGivern, José da Silva and Tom Seymour, The Art Newspaper

 

War in Ukraine delays Kazakhstan Pavilion during Venice Biennale opening (en)

Shipping chaos has derailed plans for the Central Asian nation's inaugural pavilion—but its organisers are improvising solutions

19 Apr 2022, Tom Seymour, The Art Newspaper

 

With Their Art Delayed by War in Ukraine, Kazakhstan Pavilion Artists Cobble Together an Improvised Presentation

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The art collective representing the country, ORTA, is building an ad-hoc set for performances with local materials.

19 Apr 2022, Taylor Dafoe, Artnet News

 

Last minute Venice woes for Kazakhstan and Namibia (en)

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Kazakhstan’s Debut Pavilion at Venice Biennale Delayed Amid War in Ukraine (en)

Plans to mount Kazakhstan’s first ever national pavilion as part of this year’s Venice Biennale have been delayed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The pavilion will, however, remain open to the Biennale’s visitors during this week’s previews.

19 Apr 2022, Angelica Villa, ARTNews

 

National Pavilions And Collateral Events: What To See At The 59th Venice Biennale (en)

From Simone Leigh’s striking figurative works to Pablo Maker’s installation with heightened global relevance, here are the national pavilions and collateral events you should try not to miss.

19 Apr 2022, Herbert Wright, COBO Social

 

Kazakhstan Artworks Headed for the Venice Biennale Will Be Late for the Show (en)

War in Ukraine prevents vehicles carrying Kazakhstani artworks to cross borders. However, the artists are not sitting idle.

18 Apr 2022, Widewalls

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