Initiated by EUNIC Mongolia Nomad Spirit – International Program will be held in Deren Soum, Dundgobi Province, Mongolia, from Sep 20 to Oct 4, 2024. The program aims to raise public awareness of climate change and its impact on the cultures and lives of ordinary people through the organization of inspirational public art events and creative activities.
Through open call, the project received a total of 92 applications from Finland, Germany, France, Austria, and Mongolia and selected 8 artists: Amarsaikhan Namsraijav (Mongolia), Cornelia Konrads (Germany), Elparo (France), Elena Kristofor (Austria), Laura Merz (Finland), Munkhdorj Batdelger (Mongolia), Tuvshinjargal Lhasuren (Mongolia) and Zultsetseg Narantsogt (Mongolia).
The project will organize a trip to Ikh Gazriin Chuluu and the steppe area of Deren soum, so that artists can visit nomadic families and explore local culture and environmental conditions. Upon their return to Deren soum, the artists will start working with local school children and the community, organizing workshops, and open discussions and collaborating to create site-specific installations and artworks using handy materials.
Established 100 years ago, Deren Soum is a secondary administrative subdivision in the Gobi area, located 250 km from Ulaanbaatar city. Around 450 people live in the administrative center. The cultures and economic activities of nomadic people living in Deren Soum area have been severely affected by climate changes during the last decades. Overbreeding of animals has also contributed to severe water shortage in this area.
Artists Amarsaikhan Namsraijav, Cornelia Konrads, Elparo and Tuvshinjargal Lhasuren plan to create outdoor installations and sculptures in Deren soum. Elena Kristofor and Zultsetseg Narantsogt plan to create their artworks using materials collected during the field trip and present them on site. Laura Merz and Munkhdorj Batdelger plan to work on public art, with the participation of school kids. Moreover, on October 2, 2024, the project will organize a Public Art Day at Deren Soum, which will be open not only for Deren Soum residents, but also to visitors from around and Ulaanbaatar city. A shuttle bus service will be provided for those who are willing to come to participate in the public art event.
Funded by EUNIC, the Nomad Spirit - International Program was initiated by EUNIC Mongolia and its implementing members, the Alliance Française Oulan-Bator, the Austrian Embassy in Beijing, the Finnish Embassy in Beijing, and the Goethe-Institut Mongolia with the support of the EU Delegation to Mongolia and will be implemented by the Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association and its affiliate Nomadic Red Corner International Residency.
*EUNIC — European Union National Institutes for Culture — is Europe’s network of national cultural institutes and organisations, with 39 members from all EU member states and associated countries. EUNIC Mongolia aims to develop strong and sustainable ties between cultural stakeholders in the European Union and Mongolia by engaging in activities that are driven by the global challenges we have to respond to together.
Initiated by EUNIC Mongolia Nomad Spirit – International Program will be held in Deren Soum, Dundgobi Province, Mongolia, from Sep 20 to Oct 4, 2024. The program aims to raise public awareness of climate change and its impact on the cultures and lives of ordinary people through the organization of inspirational public art events and creative activities.
Through open call, the project received a total of 92 applications from Finland, Germany, France, Austria, and Mongolia and selected 8 artists: Amarsaikhan Namsraijav (Mongolia), Cornelia Konrads (Germany), Elparo (France), Elena Kristofor (Austria), Laura Merz (Finland), Munkhdorj Batdelger (Mongolia), Tuvshinjargal Lhasuren (Mongolia) and Zultsetseg Narantsogt (Mongolia).
The project will organize a trip to Ikh Gazriin Chuluu and the steppe area of Deren soum, so that artists can visit nomadic families and explore local culture and environmental conditions. Upon their return to Deren soum, the artists will start working with local school children and the community, organizing workshops, and open discussions and collaborating to create site-specific installations and artworks using handy materials.
Established 100 years ago, Deren Soum is a secondary administrative subdivision in the Gobi area, located 250 km from Ulaanbaatar city. Around 450 people live in the administrative center. The cultures and economic activities of nomadic people living in Deren Soum area have been severely affected by climate changes during the last decades. Overbreeding of animals has also contributed to severe water shortage in this area.
Artists Amarsaikhan Namsraijav, Cornelia Konrads, Elparo and Tuvshinjargal Lhasuren plan to create outdoor installations and sculptures in Deren soum. Elena Kristofor and Zultsetseg Narantsogt plan to create their artworks using materials collected during the field trip and present them on site. Laura Merz and Munkhdorj Batdelger plan to work on public art, with the participation of school kids. Moreover, on October 2, 2024, the project will organize a Public Art Day at Deren Soum, which will be open not only for Deren Soum residents, but also to visitors from around and Ulaanbaatar city. A shuttle bus service will be provided for those who are willing to come to participate in the public art event.
Funded by EUNIC, the Nomad Spirit - International Program was initiated by EUNIC Mongolia and its implementing members, the Alliance Française Oulan-Bator, the Austrian Embassy in Beijing, the Finnish Embassy in Beijing, and the Goethe-Institut Mongolia with the support of the EU Delegation to Mongolia and will be implemented by the Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association and its affiliate Nomadic Red Corner International Residency.
*EUNIC — European Union National Institutes for Culture — is Europe’s network of national cultural institutes and organisations, with 39 members from all EU member states and associated countries. EUNIC Mongolia aims to develop strong and sustainable ties between cultural stakeholders in the European Union and Mongolia by engaging in activities that are driven by the global challenges we have to respond to together.