"The Cold Biennial"

Moscow's Second Biennial of Contemporary Art takes place during their famous winter.

Olive Green by Narda Alvarado

Commissioner and art director Joseph Backstein joked about the timing of the Biennale at a press conference: "We decided to have the biennale in the winter as a kind of 'brand' - the Moscow Biennale would be branded as 'the cold biennial'."  The Biennial runs from March 1 through to Aoril, 2007. 

Lots of Footnotes
The temperature outside might be freezing, but inside the organizers have chosen a red-hot chilli pepper theme: "Footnotes about Geopolitics, Markets and Amnesia." The released press photos demonstrate that they the organizers aren't wearing kids gloves. This multiple-curator extravaganza includes 5 main exhibitions, 25 special projects, and 8 shows with special guests. For instance Head of contemporary art Andrei Yerofeyev at the Tretyakov Gallery has organized a show devoted to Russian and Chinese political art.

According to the event's organizers the object of the Second Moscow Biennale is to offer visitors the most extensive picture of contemporary art in Russia and the post-Soviet space. This project should be "figuratively compared to a book divided into paragraphs", numerous exhibitions bonded together by a theme. Over 100 artists from 35 countries will display their work in venues as diverse as the TsUM department store, the Tower of the Federation, the Tretyakov Gallery and the Shusev Museum of Architecture.

Need an art break?
There are lots of options if you need a break from the art scene. Here are a few.

How about heading to Dorogomilovsky Market by the Kievsky railway station? This is where locals stock up on fresh produce, scarves and electrical goods. Delicacies such as caviar are much cheaper here than in the supermarkets.  A piece of advice: Haggling is de riguer.

Another piece of history to visit is The Kremlin. Prepare yourself by taking a virtual tour on The Kremlin website. This old place has been the heart of political power in Russia and still is, which sleek black cars driving in and out clearly demonstrate. The interiors of the churches are also well worth a visit. Warning: Be prepared for tourist rip-offs.

Or how about a visit to Leo Tolstoy's town apartment? The author of "Anna Karenina" and "War and Peace" lived here until his death in 1910. Not much has been changed since then, so you can see his drawing room and study complete with manuscripts, ink pens and personal photos.

Moscow changes
Moscow has experienced an economic boom over the last years.  This has had the side-effect of inflating prices. According to a June 2005 Mercer poll, Moscow is the fourth most expensive city, trailing Tokyo, Osaka and London. This price level and fast pace combined with Russia's legacy of shady business has meant that corruption, nepotism and so on still flourish.

Mayor Yuri Luzhkov (1992-present) can be credited for many of the changes. He has fought to reduce street crime, expand the transport and communications' infrastructure and encourage high profile building projects, such the exclusive Okhotny Ryad shopping mall. So in many respects Moscow is leaps ahead of other major Russian cities, well worth a visit to explore contemporary art at the Biennale, its rich history, and diverse contemporary Russian life.

Related Information
Moscow's Second Biennial of Contemporary Art, Link