The art world mobilizes its forces to Grozny

Peaceful cities around the world -- from Liverpool to Dakar to Shanghai -- stage biennial or triennial exhibitions of contemporary art. But what about embattled places too preoccupied with day-to-day existence to consider hosting art shows? What about Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, for example?

“Emergency Biennale: A Suitcase From Paris to Grozny” has come to the rescue. Enterprising curators Evelyne Jouanno of Paris and Jota Castro of Brussels have organized the show, which features duplicate artworks, with one set displayed at the Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary art center in Paris, and the other at uncertain locations in Grozny.

“Wishing to react to the phenomenon of the proliferation of Biennales,” the curators wrote in a news release, “we decided to create the concept of the ‘Emergency Biennale,’ without funds and on an emergency footing.” The first edition, endorsed by the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, “was conceived in a geopolitical context which has become so complex that it seemed necessary to mobilize the artists,” they wrote.

Jouanno and Castro have persuaded an international slate of 60 artists to contribute two copies of small completed works or concepts for unrealized projects.

The Parisian portion of the show will be on view through April 3. Works destined for Chechnya were packed in suitcases and sent to Grozny. The first installment appeared for one day only, Feb. 22, in a public plaza and a building on Revolution Avenue. Additional venues have yet to be determined.

“The situation is very complex and delicate,” Jouanno said via e-mail.

The curators plan to provide updates on their website, www.emergencybiennale.org. They are also preparing a publication on the project, with writings on human rights, essays and images.