| BACKUP. VAVILOV Amsterdam, Arti et Amicitiae 20/06/25 – 27/07/25 Artists: Kumi Hiroi, Muge Yilmaz, Olga Ganzha, Maarten Vanden Eynde, Onkruidenier (Jonmar van Vlijmen, Rosanne van Wijk, and Ronald Boer) With participation of Louise O Fresco Curated by Natalia Sudova Supported by AFK Foundation, WE Jansenfonds, Mondriaan Fund, het Cultuurfonds |
What is a seed? In some hands, it is a source of life and hope; in others, a tool of power and manipulation. Why do some sacrifice their lives to preserve it, while others start wars and are willing to kill for it? The project BACKUP.VAVILOV invites you to immerse yourself in research on this topic.
Artists with diverse backgrounds, have come together to create new works inspired by the life of Nikolai Vavilov. Each piece is based on unique research and explores the significance of seeds as symbols of life and survival.
This project is inspired by the historical events of WWII, particularly the Siege of Leningrad, where an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million people died from starvation. At the heart of the project is the work of scientist Nikolai Vavilov, who made groundbreaking contributions to genetic diversity. Among his achievements are the discovery of the Law of Homologous Series in hereditary variability and the identification of seven primary geographical centers of origin for cultivated plants. Vavilov led over 180 botanical expeditions worldwide, assembling a seed collection of 250,000 samples from 60 countries - the foundation of the world’s first gene bank.
The project highlights the critical importance of preserving genetic diversity for global food security. The tragic death of Vavilov from starvation under a totalitarian regime serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of human life in repressive systems.
Artists with diverse backgrounds, have come together to create new works inspired by the life of Nikolai Vavilov. Each piece is based on unique research and explores the significance of seeds as symbols of life and survival.
This project is inspired by the historical events of WWII, particularly the Siege of Leningrad, where an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million people died from starvation. At the heart of the project is the work of scientist Nikolai Vavilov, who made groundbreaking contributions to genetic diversity. Among his achievements are the discovery of the Law of Homologous Series in hereditary variability and the identification of seven primary geographical centers of origin for cultivated plants. Vavilov led over 180 botanical expeditions worldwide, assembling a seed collection of 250,000 samples from 60 countries - the foundation of the world’s first gene bank.
The project highlights the critical importance of preserving genetic diversity for global food security. The tragic death of Vavilov from starvation under a totalitarian regime serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of human life in repressive systems.
Side program
The project will also include a side program, the schedule of which will follow soon.
The project will also include a side program, the schedule of which will follow soon.
