Jérôme Sans . Racing the Galaxy

Racing the Galaxy
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Exhibitions Curator

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Pyramid), Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Palace of Independence, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
June 3 — August 30 2019
Co-curated by Jérôme Sans and Dina Baitassova

:Mentalklinik, Askhat Akhmediyarov, Aika Akhmetova, Joel Andrianomearisoa, Babi Badalov, Mircea Cantor, Vajiko Chachkhiani, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Leandro Erlich, Choi Jeong Hwa, Ange Leccia, Almagul Menlibayeva, Gulnur Mukazhanova, Anvar Musrepov, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Dagoberto Rodríguez, Aziza Shadenova, Thukral & Tagra, Wang Du, Wang Yuyang

+ more

Showcasing one of the first international contemporary art exhibitions in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan.

The word “Kazakh” appeared in the thirteenth century in a Turkish-Arab dictionary to signify the “free man”, the “wanderer” (nomad) or the “exiled”. The “Kazakh” meant a free individual who had left his people for freedom.

Exploring the free spirit of nomadism that is common to all these as those in other parts of the world, Racing the Galaxy deals with the dissolution of the old dichotomies between East and West, in an era of global communication and melding cultural influences, referencing the idea that artistic forms travel, mingle and enrich each other, from one continent to another. The exhibition convenes all artistic mediums to emphasize the impermanence of social, political, economic and aesthetic rules, reflecting on transitions and displacements, as an echo of the heterogeneous culture of Kazakhstan which is currently experiencing a period of total reinvention and unbridled creativity. In fact, it also highlights the talented emerging artists from a vibrant Kazakh art scene. Sharing the ambition to sensitize their audiences and to highlight the dissonances of a changing world, these artists are informed by their creative displacements and their mastery of new technologies. Covering topics such as globalization, multiculturalism, identity, gender, minorities, the quest for the future, and the appropriation of history, all these artists explore speculative narratives and aesthetic strategies to map the social and political issues currently being played out.

The eponym exhibition catalogue is the first survey in English of contemporary art practice in Kazakhstan and offers a new perspective on the debates engaging contemporary Kazakh and international culture. Racing the Galaxy affirms the extraordinary potential of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in general and celebrates dynamic adaptation alongside historical heritage.

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Jérôme Sans - Wang Yuyang_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Exhibition view, John Dodelande, Racing the galaxy, Palace of Independence in Nur-Sultan, 2019 © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - mentalKLINIK_Dangerously safe, 2019 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

:mentalKLINIK. DANGEROUSLY SAFE, 2019. Micro-Layered Polyester Solar Films. Site-specific installation
Courtesy of the artists © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - mentalKLINIK_Obsviously Obscure 2019_ (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

:mentalKLINIK. OBVIOUSLY OBSCURE, 2019. Micro-Layered Polyester Solar Films, Site-specific installation
Courtesy of the artists © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Joel Andrianomearisoa_The Labyrinth of Passions, 2019 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Joel Andrianomearisoa. The Labyrinth of Passions, 2019. paper collage, silk paper. variable dimensions. Courtesy of the artist and Sabrina Amrani Gallery © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Vajiko Chachkhiani_Winter which was not there, 2017 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Vajiko Chachkhiani. Winter which was not there, 2017. HD video projection, 10:41 min. Edition of 6 + 2 AP. Courtesy the artist, Daniel Marzona, Berlin and SCAI - The Bathhouse, Tokyo © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Leandro Erlich_Changing Rooms © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Leandro Erlich. Changing Rooms, 2008. Paneling, frames, mirrors, stools, curtains, and lights, Variable dimensions
Exhibition view, Racing the Galaxy, Astana Art Show. Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Les Moulins / Habana © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Ange Leccia_ La Mer 1991 2016 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Ange Leccia. La Mer, 1991-2016 video 4K, duration : 01 :05 :16 © Ange Leccia, Adagp, Paris, 2019 © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Almagul Menlibayeva_Astana Departure 2016 2018_ (2) (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Almagul Menlibayeva. Astana. Departure, 2016-2018. Video still
20 min ; 4K, Three-channel video installation, surround sound ; Sound by G. Popov ©Almagul Menlibayeva, 2016. Courtesy American- Eurasian Art Advisors LLC © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Almagul Menlibayeva_Astana Departure 2016 2018_ (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Almagul Menlibayeva. Astana. Departure, 2016-2018. Video still. 20 min ; 4K, Three-channel video installation, surround sound. Sound by G. Popov ©Almagul Menlibayeva, 2016. Courtesy American- Eurasian Art Advisors LLC © Photography: Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Michelangelo Pistoletto_ Labirinto e Grande Pozzo 2008 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Michelangelo Pistoletto. Labirinto e Grande Pozzo, 2008. Site-specific dimensions. Unique work © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas. Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Les Moulins / Habana

Jérôme Sans - Dagoberto Rodriguez_Naufrago I and II 2019 (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Dagoberto Rodríguez. Naufrago I, 2019, 285 x 92 x 92 cm, metal. Naufrago II, 2019, 285 x 92 x 92 cm, metal. © Estudio Dagoberto Rodriguez, Madrid. © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Wang Du_Beyond Truth 2019_ (c) Janaarkbek Amankulov : Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Wang Du. Beyond Truth, 2019. Resin, fiberglass. L 175 x l 190 x H 235 cm. Courtesy of the artist © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Thukral and Tagra_ Table Manners 2019 (c) Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Thukral & Tagra. Table Manners, 2019. Plywood, wood laminate iron, ping pong paddles, ping pong balls. Variable dimensions © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Mircea Cantor_Seven Colors Seven Rainbows 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Mircea Cantor. Seven Colors, Seven Rainbows, 2019. Wall drawing, fingerprints, ink, variable dimensions. Courtesy of the artist and VNH gallery, Paris © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Mircea Cantor_ Hidden Meridians over a Disrupt Landscape 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Mircea Cantor. Hidden Meridians over a Disrupt Landscape, 2019. Kazakhstani military fabric, embrodery. Courtesy of the artist and VNH gallery, Paris © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Choi Jeong Hwa_Breathing Flower 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Choi Jeong Hwa. Breathing Flower, 2019. Fabric, air bower, LED, light wood and steel frame. 7.5 m diameter. Courtesy of the artist and P21 © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Carlos Cruz Diez_Induction Chromatique Walkway 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Carlos Cruz-Diez. Induction Chromatique Walkway, 2019. Ephemeral intervention at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan plaza, “RACING THE GALAXY” exhibition. Astana Art Show, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. © Carlos Cruz-Diez / Adagp, Paris 2019 © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Aziza Shadenova_Anarchy in the Aral 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Aziza Shadenova. Anarchy in the Aral, 2019. Wall mural, acrylic paint © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Babi Badalov_Culture is Future Future is Culture 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Babi Badalov. Culture is Future - Future is Culture, 2019. Site-specific installation. Acrylic on fabric and wallpaintings. Courtesy the artist and galerie Jérôme Poggi, Paris. © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Ashkat Akhmediyarov_Listening to your heart 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Ashkat Akhmediyarov. Listening to your heart, 2019. Installation. Ceramics, metal, thermal printing on ceramics. 900 x 900 x 400 cm. Courtesy Tse Art Destination Gallery © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Anvar Musrepov_Golden Woman 2019 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Anvar Musrepov. Golden Woman, 2019. Metal polls, Styrofoam, fiberglass, heat insulation, Rabitz net, LCD TV, yoga mats, fluorescent lamps, metal chain, 5 m x 6 m. Courtesy of TSE Art Destination Gallery © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas

Jérôme Sans - Aika Akhmetova_Leather Boxers 2018 © Janarbek Amankulov:Saparlas_Racing the Galaxy, Kazakhstan

Aika Akhmetova. Leather Boxers, 2018. Fake leather orange string, zipper, grommets, metal chains, fabric, metal frame, Approx. 213 x 91 x 60 cm © Photography : Janarbek Amankulov/Saparlas