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This fall, TSEH, the multimedia art space in Nizhny Novgorod run by dreamlaser, opened Swamp Studies, a research exhibition that is part of a scientific and art project launched by the Pushkin Museum (Moscow) and the Tomsk State University (TSU). dreamlaser co-organized the exhibition alongside the Volga-Vyatka branch of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Arsenal).
The exhibition at TSEH * marks the final stage of the Swamp Studies. Joint Research of Artists and Scientists project. The display presents the findings of a two-year study of Siberia's largest ecosystem, conducted by leading scientists from the TSU, the Pushkin Museum team, and artist Vasily Kononov-Gredin.
With the help of MISH studio, a Nizhny Novgorod-based architecture firm, TSEH * has been transformed into a futuristic research laboratory. The space evokes a pristine, cosmic setting for experimentation, standing in stark contrast to the "earthy" essence of swamps. The centerpiece of the exhibition is an installation by Vasily Kononov-Gredin, a structure representing an exoskeleton for one cubic meter of the Vasyugan Swamp covered with sphagnum moss.
The Vasyugan Swamp is not only a source of valuable mineral resources but also a massive natural archive, preserving information about the Earth's centuries-old history.
Throughout the exhibition, the swamp fragment responds to the carbon dioxide exhaled by visitors, subtly recording their presence and leaving a trace or memory on its surface. This interaction metaphorically illustrates how every action, no matter how small, affects nature. During the first few weeks of the exhibition, a unique phenomenon occurred—the blooming of Cassandra. This perennial dwarf shrub typically flowers in the wild only in late spring, around May or June.
In addition to the main installation, the exhibition features the artist's travel diary, a documentary film, and other materials.
By merging contemporary art with scientific research, the project sheds light on complex environmental issues and demonstrates innovative approaches to materials within the expertise of wetland scientists, ecologists, and biologists.
The exhibition runs until December 15. For more information and tickets, visit the TSEH * website: https://tseh.space/bolotovedenie/.
Exhibition curator: Daria Kolpashnikova.
Technical support: dreamlaser