Creative City Exhibition Brings Together Art Projects from 21 Cities across Russia, China and Belarus at INRTU

The International Exhibition and Competition Creative City continues its run at INRTU. The exposition features artistic, design, and research works by participants from Russia, China, and Belarus. Designers have presented installations inspired by nature and technology, as well as clothing items and display panels.

Professor Olga Zheleznyak of the Department of Monumental and Decorative Painting and Design named after V.G. Smagin at INRTU spoke about the event. According to her, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, the Belarusian National Technical University, the University of Science and Technology Liaoning, the Irkutsk regional branches of the Union of Architects of Russia and the Russia Designers Association, and Project Baikal academic journal, organized the exhibition. The organizing committee received nearly 300 applications from 21 cities, including Minsk, Anshan, Harbin, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and others. Contributors included university and college students, faculty members, and practicing professionals.

The exhibition is devoted to the theme of creativity, which, as a genuine driver of modern development, responds to the challenges of the times and fosters the generation of innovation.

“The ‘Creative City’ as a space for development reflects innovative practices and educational technologies. Creative industries, serving as ‘growth points’ for urban development, affect the quality of life for residents and the city's appeal to tourists. We have tried to cover all the main discourses of this subject matter by proposing several key areas. These include the creative potential of identity, the ecological resource of creative systems, the image of a territory and city brands, the possibilities of AI, creative forecasting, technologies, and virtual worlds,” 

said Olga Zheleznyak.

The exhibition is located in the foyer of the INRTU conference hall and on the first floor of the Technopark. The majority of the exposition consists of creative coursework and diploma projects by students, presented across seven categories and twenty-three nominations. These works reflect the creative thinking of their authors and the potential of their developments to advance creative professions and culture.

INRTU student Yana Chemezova has created an unusual art object – a beetle sculpture made from the blade of a garden spade, metal rods, and a television antenna. Another notably original piece is a forged lamp, titled “Cow”, created by INRTU student Alina Stukova.

In addition, the exhibition features panels with design projects. For example, Peng Bo from China has presented a design code concept for the tourist district of Nantong. In the “Pro” category, visitors will see the renowned work “Ice City” by Hongwei Yang, Director of the Ice and Snow Art Center. It was created for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

Interesting exhibits have arrived from Liaoning Province. One example is the design concept for guest houses in Songjiang Village by Li Xiwen. Another is Li Xinzhou's individual perspective on the reconstruction of the historic Yanzhao Street in one of the cities in Hebei Province.

Participants from Belarus have displayed unconventional thinking and approaches to solving contemporary problems. They are competing in nominations related to environmental modernization and the introduction of artistic innovation within the urban landscape.

The organizers have already received feedback from their international colleagues. Anna Litvinova, Head of the Department of Architectural Environment Design at BNTU in Minsk, shared her thoughts.

“The exposition is presented in a quite cohesive and stylish manner. The declared goals and objectives of the exhibition-competition have been achieved. This is the result of ongoing, and not merely formal, but long-standing and fruitful cooperation between the Department of Monumental and Decorative Painting and Design named after V.G. Smagin at INRTU and the Department of Architectural Environment Design at the Belarusian National Technical University. Such exhibition-competitions are beneficial for everyone: professionals, students, and city residents alike,” 

noted Anna Litvinova.

In a statement on behalf of Professor Tang Suning from the University of Science and Technology Liaoning, it was said that the works on display combine structural precision with a distinctive Siberian artistic aesthetic. They demonstrate the mature thinking of the young creators and a progressive approach to art education at INRTU.

The “Creative City” exhibition and competition is expected to run until April 30.