Encountering: New Art on the Silk Road, curated by Peng Feng, draws parallels between the region’s historical influence and contemporary resonance. The Biennale is an homage to Urumqi’s role in connecting East and West; it is a celebration of the exchange of art and culture that the Silk Road embodied, and which is even further amplified in today’s globalised world. The Biennale will feature works from some of the finest contemporary artists in Central Asia, China, and the Mediterranean region, including Chinese artist Xu Bing’s acclaimed Magic Carpets. Ana Tzarev will exhibit the centrepiece of her Wonderland show, which debuted at Beijing’s Today Art Museum this past January. An immersive installation composed of sculpture, paintings, and video, the exhibition will display Tzarev’s newest Love and Peace sculptures in an environment specifically designed to showcase these works. With 4-meter fiberglass poppies and water lilies accompanied by panoramic video projections and audio elements, Tzarev creates a transformative art experience to be enjoyed by all Biennale visitors. In discussing the significance of Ana Tzarev's work and its essential place in this year's Biennale, Feng says: "Ana's works transcends differences not just between East and West, but between all cultures. In this sense, her art is a new kind of art for the globalized era, and appreciation of this new art form is not subject to cultural restrictions. That is why her exhibitions have so deeply touched audiences on all continents… Ana uses flowers and passion, love and peace to break down cultural barriers and to herald the advent of a new culture adapted to the globalized age." The 3rd Annual Xinjiang Biennale is supported by the central government of China and co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Xinjiang province. Tzarev's installation is presented in part by the sponsorship of the Xinjiang Biennale and Convergent Design.
