Yerevan Biennial digital launch delayed amid martial law in Armenia

The inaugural Yerevan Biennial, originally planned as a digital exhibition titled The Time Complex, has been postponed due to martial law declared in Armenia. Curated by Lorenzo Fusi, the launch was scheduled for 29 September but is now rescheduled for 1 October, with physical events cancelled and to be held later in 2021. This delay follows escalating conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians since 2016. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ordered full military mobilization, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also implemented martial law. In a statement, Fusi cited respect for conflict victims, including civilian casualties and fine art students, as reasons for cancelling launch events, emphasizing art's role in national identity. The digital biennial, featuring works by artists like John Akomfrah and Sonia Balassanian, will include newly commissioned and historic pieces. Earlier, Armenia had declared a state of emergency in March 2020 due to COVID-19, banning large gatherings and closing borders with Georgia and Iran, with lockdown easing since June. The Yerevan Biennial Art Foundation aims to proceed with the digital show to promote humanity during the crisis, referencing UN Secretary António Guterres's call for peace.