Satbayev University held the first Biennial in the history of the university for young architects, designers and artists

Satbayev University, together with the Kazakh Academic Center of the International Academy of Architecture KazMAAM-Eurasia, organized the first Biennial in the history of the university for young architects, designers and artists. The event, which took place from August 7-9, 2024, became an important platform for identifying and supporting young talents who may take leading positions in the creative community in the future. The theme of the Biennale was “Native Land”, which emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and national identity through the prism of contemporary art.

The Biennale was attended by 32 authors from different educational institutions of Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Astana, Semipalatinsk and other cities. Not only students and young specialists from specialized universities were invited to participate, but also professional architects, designers and artists under the age of 35 from CIS countries and far abroad.

The opening of the event was accompanied by a large exhibition of works of art, which unfolded in the lobby of the Satbayev University Oil Building. The works of the participants, performed in various techniques, attracted the attention of viewers and specialists. The exhibition will be available to the public for several months, providing an opportunity for a wide audience to get acquainted with the work of young authors.

In addition to the art exhibition, the guests of the Biennale had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the ethnographic heritage of Kazakhstan. They visited the Museum of the History of science and Technology, as well as the scientific and restoration laboratory “Ostrov Krym”. The cultural program also included an excursion to the sights of Almaty, which allowed participants not only to immerse themselves in art, but also to experience the richness of the city's history and culture.

The central event of the Biennale was the lectures held at the Dosym Suleev Center for Science and Creativity. Famous Kazakhstani specialists Bayan Barmankulova and Ekaterina Reznikova spoke about the history and prospects of the development of art in Kazakhstan. Their presentations were richly illustrated, which allowed the participants to better understand the cultural context and current trends in art.

The master classes in painting, held within the walls of the Architecture Department of the T. Basenov Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, became another significant moment of the Biennale. Teachers Andrey Starkov and Kulyash Tyurebayeva conducted an hour-long lesson on painting a picturesque still life. The participants of the master class were able not only to improve their skills, but also to try new techniques. The master class was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the “Gamma TD” company, which provided professional Vista-Artista art products.

At the end of the Biennale, an exposition of the achievements of graduates of Satbayev University was presented in the exhibition hall of the Mining and Metallurgical Building. Architectural, urban planning and other professional and creative works of graduates from different years have become a vivid example of the high level of training of specialists at the university.

The culmination of the event was the summing up of the Biennale competition. In a solemn atmosphere, the jury, which included representatives of the Satbayev University School of Architecture and design under the leadership of Umirbek Zhubaniyazov, Chairman of the Board of the public association of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, announced the winners. The best works were awarded with diplomas and cash prizes, which was a worthy recognition of the talent of young authors.

The Grand Prix and the main prize of the competition was awarded to the work “Oralshi kaita Aralym” by Khadisha Serikbayeva (head of Kuralai Umbetova) from the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov.

The winners of the first degree diploma and significant cash prizes were the original works “Bright Memories” by Aidana Lesala (directed by Shalkar Berdikozha) from the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov and “Ceramics of Taraz” by Yerbolat Kusayyn from the Almaty College of Decorative and Applied Arts named after O.Tansykbaeva,

The laureates of the second degree diploma and cash prizes were awarded to the works of “Kunnin atuy” Dinara Zakaradze, a graduate of Satbayev University and “Ancient Cities” Assel Mombekova, an employee of the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after A.Kasteev.

The winner of the diploma of the third degree received the works “Tuyp osken auylym” by Linaya Galiullina (directed by Anuar Kapanov), a student of Satbayev University, “Auyldagi bak” by Alikhan Zhakhanshi, a student of the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov and “Tatti sezim” by Diana Beisenbai (directed by Dariya Kasteev) from the Kazakh National University of Arts in Astana.

Satbayev University and the Kazakh Academic Center of the International Academy of Architecture KazMAAM-Eurasia expressed confidence that the first Biennale will become the basis for further development of cultural initiatives and identification of new talents. The success of the event confirmed the importance of such projects to maintain a high level of art and culture in Kazakhstan.