Contemporary Art Center on Bolotnaya Embankment Opens in September 2020

The reconstruction of the former GES-2 building on Bolotnaya Embankment is to be completed next summer, President of the V-A-C Foundation, Russian businessman Leonid Mikhelson told the journalists.

«GES-2 is not just a new museum, it is a new unique public space that will become a real jewel on the architectural and cultural map of Moscow. I have been building various facilities for over 40 years, but this construction is the main one for me. Next summer, we will finish the work, and in late September we plan to open the Contemporary Art Center there» — said Leonid Mikhelson.

According to him, the reconstructed GES-2 with an area of about 41 thousand square meters will consist of five parts: the front building, the main building, the right and left risalits and the assembly hall. «Also in the building, which was ordered and built by the vodka factory of Ivan Smirnov, the Center of Art Production Svody will be located. The Center will include high-tech textile, carpentry, ceramic, recording workshops, photography studios, silk-screen printing and a bakery» — Mikhelson added.

In the frontal part of the building overlooking the embankment, there will be the so-called Second Square — one of the main entrances to GES-2. This is a meeting place where visitors can learn more about the Center’s programs. Above the Second Square a library will be located.

The right risalit is intended for Russian and foreign artists participating in the Center’s programs. There is also room for networking. The left risalit will house a culinary art laboratory. At the first level of the main building, GES-2 Prospekt will be created, where visitors will be able to walk. It will be surrounded by spaces for art and enlightenment programs. This area will host a cafe, a shop and an assembly hall. On the basement floor there will be exhibition spaces with natural light.

Through these halls one can walk to the Svody workshops. A transformable assembly hall with a capacity of up to 420 people with nine possible stage configurations will also appear here. Lectures, concerts, theatrical performances and film screenings will be held in this place.