Project: Gyumri Biennial of Contemporary Art, Armenia: August 2004.

Devastated by an earthquake in 1988, Gyumri was once an important cultural centre in Armenia and the region and is still in the process of reconstruction. Since 1998, the Gyumri Centre of Contemporary Art (GCCA) has been hosting a Biennial of Contemporary Art in Gyumri to create a positive, transformative experience through contemporary arts and international attention.

Since 2004, Concha has partnered with the GCCA to help support their efforts, particularly by raising awareness in and gaining support from the international community. In 2004, over 55 artists participated from 18 different countries in celebration of the 1600th anniversary of Mesrop Mashtot’s alphabet and around the curatorial theme of Language and Communication. With the support of artist Bruce Allen, Concha delivered a an article for the British publication, Third Text, highlighting the 2004 biennial as well as giving a historic perspective to this important event.

A website dedicated to the biennial has been launched in 2005, with the support of Concha: www.gyumribiennial.org. Please visit to learn more about the Biennial and to make a donation.

Two new team members, from Gyumri, will be working with Concha in Geneva: Artush Yeghiazaryan and Gagik Sargsyan.