OPEN CALL
RUBEZH: DEATH
IV International Instant Exhibition of Émigré Art
Open call —
A selection program for artists, photographers, theater groups and any other artists to participate in any art project.
Key dates
14.10.2024
The application deadline
31.10.2024
Announcement of the results
29.11 — 1.12.2024
The exhibition in Tbilisi
About the exhibition
IV International Instant Exhibition of Émigré Art RUBEZH: DEATH will take place in Tbilisi from November 29 to December 1.
Psychologists claim that every emigrant experiences the same emotions when moving as when they lose a loved one. Often, the threat of death is the reason for emigration: refugees, oppositionists, deserters, prisoners. Death is a key tool for suppressing citizens in authoritarian countries, and, naturally, people from such countries try to leave more often.

We will explore
  • Death as a transition from one state to another
  • The fear of death
  • Causes of death
  • Government regimes based on death and fear
  • Life as the opposite of death
  • Death and freedom: accepting death as liberation
  • Death as a routine
  • Living people, dead inside
  • Death and birth: what unites them and what is their complete opposite
The exhibition participants will be chosen by an expert commission.
Artists from around the world with migrant experience, as well as citizens of Georgia, are invited to participate.
All mediums are accepted: painting, video, digital art, music, sculpture, installations, performances, and others. Even DJ sets are allowed if presented as an artistic statement.
50% of the proceeds will go to human rights and volunteer organizations, such as Amnesty International, Choose to Help, Tbilisi Volunteers, and others.
You can see the list of organizations we support here.
The remaining funds will go towards setting up the exhibition, renting equipment, and the advertising campaign.
HUMANITARIAN COLLECTION
There will be a spot to collect humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. Visitors can bring medicine, clothing, baby food, and other necessary items.
Jury
Who will choose the artworks?
  • Alsu Garapova
    Curator & Founder
    Based in Tbilisi (Georgia),
    born in Tatarstan (Russia)
  • Andrei Morev
    Co-owner
    Based in Tbilisi (Georgia),
    raised in Kyrgyzstan
  • Selma Köran
    Mixed Media Expert
    Based in Berlin (Germany)
  • Inka ter Haar
    Visual Arts Expert
    Based in Switzerland,
    born in Germany
  • Juliette Delecour
    Sculpture & Installation Expert
    Based in Paris (France)
  • Oleg Ozerov //
    Party of the Dead
    Necroactionism Expert
    Art political project born in Russia,
    based worldwide with a faction in Georgia
  • David Finestein
    Arts Expert
    Based in Tbilisi (Georgia),
    born in USA
  • Till Langschied
    Arts Expert & Mixed Media Artist
    Based in Switzerland
  • Arseny Braginsky
    Music Expert
    Based worldwide,
    born in Siberia (Russia)
  • Olya Sharlat
    Arts Expert
    Based in Tbilisi (Georgia)
  • Secret Expert
    Performance Expert
Curator's appeal
We care for children.
Some get hamsters, teaching that death is something natural, like rain outside the window.
Others try to instill the idea that only life exists in this world. Death, that ugly thing, should be hidden along with the dust under the rug.

We care for ourselves.
Some eat properly, wake up and go to bed on a schedule, and in between, work according to the Pomodoro method. Get everything done and never die.
Others see death as salvation. They’ve done it all, they’re tired, and they need nothing more. They’ll rest in the grave.

We care for the world.
Some strive for a clean environment and a just state, and in hospices, they tenderly bid farewell to their loved ones.
Others greedily devour life. They offer sacrifices to Death — with repression, bloody despotism, burning forests, and war itself. For them, Death is a corrupt official. Maybe we can strike a deal?

Everyone cares in different ways. Which is yours?
We are RUBEZH.
We bring together émigré artists.
We believe that every artist deserves a home.
  • WE ARE RUBEZH

    An international diaspora of émigré artists. Among us are citizens from 10 countries, living in 18 different locations around the world. Our base is currently in Tbilisi.

    Our goal is to help immigrant artists adapt to new conditions, integrate into the local context, and, of course, continue creating art. We organize exhibitions, create shelters and communes, and hold educational and entertainment events.

    Learn more about us
  • INSTANT EXHIBITIONS OF ÉMIGRÉ ART RUBEZH

    Several times a year, we hold large international exhibition festivals. Our past exhibitions took place in Bishkek and featured over 150 art projects in total.

    Each exhibition is dedicated to reflecting on fundamental ideas and concepts that are close to everyone but in the context of migration. After all, every immigrant goes through a similar journey, regardless of where they moved from or to.

    See all
Open call —
A selection program for artists, photographers, theater groups and any other artists to participate in any art project.
Become a volunteer
Help us do our best — from anywhere worldwide.
Q&A