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International Biennale of Ecological Art
April 18 — November 20, 2025
The Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Triumph Gallery (Moscow)
The Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Triumph Gallery (Moscow)
The Biennale of Ecological Art is a multi-genre, interdisciplinary project entirely dedicated to rethinking the relationship between humans and nature, and it will be held for the first time in the world.
The First International Biennale of Ecological Art will bring together more than 150 contemporary artists from around the world. Over the course of six months, exhibitions and events of the main project will be presented across six key cultural venues in Nizhny Novgorod. The Biennale of Ecological Art is a multi-genre, interdisciplinary project entirely dedicated to rethinking the relationship between humans and nature, and it will be held for the first time in the world. The project will feature installations, video art, photography, as well as painting, graphic, and sculptural works. The Biennale is organized on the initiative of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Triumph Gallery (Moscow). Yulia Aksyonova has been appointed Program Director and Chief Curator of the Biennale.
The First International Biennale of Ecological Art will bring together more than 150 contemporary artists from around the world. Over the course of six months, exhibitions and events of the main project will be presented across six key cultural venues in Nizhny Novgorod. The Biennale of Ecological Art is a multi-genre, interdisciplinary project entirely dedicated to rethinking the relationship between humans and nature, and it will be held for the first time in the world. The project will feature installations, video art, photography, as well as painting, graphic, and sculptural works. The Biennale is organized on the initiative of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Triumph Gallery (Moscow). Yulia Aksyonova has been appointed Program Director and Chief Curator of the Biennale.
The main program of the Biennale includes the central project The Skin of the Earth and six special projects. Among the institutions hosting the Biennale are the Volga-Vyatka филиал of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Arsenal), the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, the TsEKh* space, and the Mayak Academy named after A. D. Sakharov. The program also includes two outdoor projects: Air and Meadow (see the Biennale program for details). For the main project, the buildings of the Mytny Market and the Yermolaev Hotel will be adapted and used as exhibition spaces for the first time. As part of the parallel program, exhibitions will take place at the Terminal A Center for Contemporary Art, the Tikhaya Studio, the FUTURO Gallery, and Gallery 9B.
The main program of the Biennale includes the central project The Skin of the Earth and six special projects. Among the institutions hosting the Biennale are the Volga-Vyatka филиал of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Arsenal), the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, the TsEKh* space, and the Mayak Academy named after A. D. Sakharov. The program also includes two outdoor projects: Air and Meadow (see the Biennale program for details). For the main project, the buildings of the Mytny Market and the Yermolaev Hotel will be adapted and used as exhibition spaces for the first time. As part of the parallel program, exhibitions will take place at the Terminal A Center for Contemporary Art, the Tikhaya Studio, the FUTURO Gallery, and Gallery 9B.
Nizhny Novgorod is one of the centers of contemporary culture in Russia, whose industrial heritage makes the ecological agenda an important and ever-present part of life in the city and the region. Many institutional projects by Triumph Gallery have been dedicated to exploring new ways of interaction between humans and nature, making the Biennale the result of synergy, collaboration, and co-creation.
Nizhny Novgorod is one of the centers of contemporary culture in Russia, whose industrial heritage makes the ecological agenda an important and ever-present part of life in the city and the region. Many institutional projects by Triumph Gallery have been dedicated to exploring new ways of interaction between humans and nature, making the Biennale the result of synergy, collaboration, and co-creation.
The Biennale’s realization at the city’s major cultural venues became possible thanks to the personal support and involvement of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, and his deputy, Oleg Berkovich. For the region, hosting the First International Biennale of Ecological Art is not only a great honor but also a significant opportunity to position itself as a platform for serious international dialogue. "I am confident that it is here that an important recurring event of global scale can emerge. The ecological agenda is becoming increasingly relevant, and our region, with its rich industrial heritage and experience in rethinking these processes, is ready to take a leading role in this important field. The Biennale brings together people from all over the world around the shared idea of responsibility for the planet, and we are proud that Nizhny Novgorod is becoming the center of this movement," noted Deputy Governor Oleg Berkovich.
The Biennale’s realization at the city’s major cultural venues became possible thanks to the personal support and involvement of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, and his deputy, Oleg Berkovich. For the region, hosting the First International Biennale of Ecological Art is not only a great honor but also a significant opportunity to position itself as a platform for serious international dialogue. "I am confident that it is here that an important recurring event of global scale can emerge. The ecological agenda is becoming increasingly relevant, and our region, with its rich industrial heritage and experience in rethinking these processes, is ready to take a leading role in this important field. The Biennale brings together people from all over the world around the shared idea of responsibility for the planet, and we are proud that Nizhny Novgorod is becoming the center of this movement," noted Deputy Governor Oleg Berkovich.
The main objective of the Biennale is to establish ecology as a central and unifying theme of our time, even in a fragmented world. The Biennale’s exhibitions, as cohesive curatorial statements, and the individual works of its participants tend to reflect the current state of the environment rather than propose concrete solutions to ecological problems. However, the project acts as a trigger, inviting viewers into reflection and a metaphorical journey. The Biennale features artists from Russia, Argentina, Benin, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Italy, China, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, the Philippines, France, and Japan.
The main objective of the Biennale is to establish ecology as a central and unifying theme of our time, even in a fragmented world. The Biennale’s exhibitions, as cohesive curatorial statements, and the individual works of its participants tend to reflect the current state of the environment rather than propose concrete solutions to ecological problems. However, the project acts as a trigger, inviting viewers into reflection and a metaphorical journey. The Biennale features artists from Russia, Argentina, Benin, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Italy, China, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, the Philippines, France, and Japan.
On April 17, the Biennale will open its first special project, Terrestrial / Planetary, at the Volga-Vyatka branch of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Arsenal). The project is based on the idea of the unity of the world and the interconnectedness of all living things on Earth. Drawing on a holistic vision of the terrestrial, the exhibition presents two perspectives on contemporary ecological issues. On the one hand, artists employ a planetary-scale perspective—a "macro-view" of Earth from cosmic heights—addressing global processes such as climate change and environmental pollution, and revealing their impact on the planet as a whole. On the other hand, artists turn to local ecological problems. Terrestrial / Planetary will bring together more than 150 works.
On April 17, the Biennale will open its first special project, Terrestrial / Planetary, at the Volga-Vyatka branch of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Arsenal). The project is based on the idea of the unity of the world and the interconnectedness of all living things on Earth. Drawing on a holistic vision of the terrestrial, the exhibition presents two perspectives on contemporary ecological issues. On the one hand, artists employ a planetary-scale perspective—a "macro-view" of Earth from cosmic heights—addressing global processes such as climate change and environmental pollution, and revealing their impact on the planet as a whole. On the other hand, artists turn to local ecological problems. Terrestrial / Planetary will bring together more than 150 works.
On May 29, the Biennale’s main project, The Skin of the Earth, will open at the Mytny Market and the Yermolaev Hotel. The focus of the project is the Earth’s thin outer layer and its role in sustaining life on the planet. Like human skin, it retains the memory of past traumas and processes of its own formation. Located at the intersection of all geospheres—the layers that shape the planet—the soil layer serves as a space where ecological systems converge, a source of biodiversity, and a genetic repository of life. The word "soil" also evokes meanings such as foundation and support, retaining its fundamental significance for human existence. The expression "the ground slipping from under one’s feet" aptly describes the instability and fragility of our world.
On May 29, the Biennale’s main project, The Skin of the Earth, will open at the Mytny Market and the Yermolaev Hotel. The focus of the project is the Earth’s thin outer layer and its role in sustaining life on the planet. Like human skin, it retains the memory of past traumas and processes of its own formation. Located at the intersection of all geospheres—the layers that shape the planet—the soil layer serves as a space where ecological systems converge, a source of biodiversity, and a genetic repository of life. The word "soil" also evokes meanings such as foundation and support, retaining its fundamental significance for human existence. The expression "the ground slipping from under one’s feet" aptly describes the instability and fragility of our world.
The spread of land degradation and pollution, the disappearance of certain life forms, and the replacement of entire natural ecosystems with artificial ones bring the global ecological crisis ever closer. Confronting it requires a rethinking of collective ethical principles and modes of responsibility. These ideas form the poetic foundation of the Biennale’s central project.
Today, ecology has become one of the most important themes not only in the global public agenda but also on the international art scene. Projects addressing shared planetary challenges are becoming increasingly common, and it is encouraging to recognize that the Biennale of Ecological Art is one of the largest initiatives not only in Russia but also worldwide," says Program Director and Chief Curator Yulia Aksyonova.
Today, ecology has become one of the most important themes not only in the global public agenda but also on the international art scene. Projects addressing shared planetary challenges are becoming increasingly common, and it is encouraging to recognize that the Biennale of Ecological Art is one of the largest initiatives not only in Russia but also worldwide," says Program Director and Chief Curator Yulia Aksyonova.
The spread of land degradation and pollution, the disappearance of certain life forms, and the replacement of entire natural ecosystems with artificial ones bring the global ecological crisis ever closer. Confronting it requires a rethinking of collective ethical principles and modes of responsibility. These ideas form the poetic foundation of the Biennale’s central project.
Today, ecology has become one of the most important themes not only in the global public agenda but also on the international art scene. Projects addressing shared planetary challenges are becoming increasingly common, and it is encouraging to recognize that the Biennale of Ecological Art is one of the largest initiatives not only in Russia but also worldwide," says Program Director and Chief Curator Yulia Aksyonova.
Today, ecology has become one of the most important themes not only in the global public agenda but also on the international art scene. Projects addressing shared planetary challenges are becoming increasingly common, and it is encouraging to recognize that the Biennale of Ecological Art is one of the largest initiatives not only in Russia but also worldwide," says Program Director and Chief Curator Yulia Aksyonova.
Yulia Aksyonova is an art historian and independent institutional curator. In 2021, she received the Innovation Prize in the "Project of the Year" category for the exhibition Laboratory of the Future. Kinetic Art in Russia. She is the author of publications on contemporary art. She graduated from the Institute of Contemporary Art (2000) and the Faculty of Art History at the Russian State University for the Humanities (2002). From 2004 to 2007, she worked in the Department of Latest Trends at the State Tretyakov Gallery. In 2007−2008, she studied at the De Appel curatorial program in Amsterdam. From 2008 to 2010, she was responsible for educational programs at the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture. From 2010 to 2016, she served as a curator at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. She lives and works in Moscow.
Yulia Aksyonova is an art historian and independent institutional curator. In 2021, she received the Innovation Prize in the "Project of the Year" category for the exhibition Laboratory of the Future. Kinetic Art in Russia. She is the author of publications on contemporary art. She graduated from the Institute of Contemporary Art (2000) and the Faculty of Art History at the Russian State University for the Humanities (2002). From 2004 to 2007, she worked in the Department of Latest Trends at the State Tretyakov Gallery. In 2007−2008, she studied at the De Appel curatorial program in Amsterdam. From 2008 to 2010, she was responsible for educational programs at the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture. From 2010 to 2016, she served as a curator at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. She lives and works in Moscow.
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