Alexey Morosov, an artist representing Kyrgyzstan at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), will present a site-specific installation titled "BELEK" in the Santa Catarina Church. The work combines sculpture, video, and painting, using materials like unfired clay (terra cruda/saman) and poplar, alongside an 8K video fresco contrasting the equestrian game kok-boru with brutalist dams. Morosov discusses how his project addresses water resource issues in Central Asia and relates to the Biennale's theme "In Minor Keys," emphasizing a quiet, tactile approach to existential questions.
This interview matters because it highlights how national pavilions at the Venice Biennale remain vital platforms for nuanced cultural expression amid rising nationalism. Morosov argues that art's role is to overcome barriers, not reinforce them, and that the Biennale's unique scale and history allow for deep engagement with contemporary realities. The piece also reflects ongoing dialogues about water scarcity, traditional techniques fused with technology, and the evolving purpose of national representation in global art events.