13 November — 13 December 2014 in Minsk in Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art Centre the exhibition Suma Sumarum will be open. It’s the first project of the legendary gallery 6^th Line after a pause of 16 years. More on Belarusian HERE!

Archive! pARTisan #1’2002 Abstract

Iryna Bigday in her contribution looks back on the history of the 6^th Line, one of the most popular unofficial Minsk art galleries. It had a unique atmosphere, emanating that particular energy which attracted outstanding creative minds, both artists and audience.

Its last exhibition opened in July 1998, but no one has so far provided an answer to the question what the 6^th Line was.

Photography from Minsk / supported by Goethe Institute in Minsk / 1995

The gallery was launched in 1992 as a joint initiative of Beltechnology & M. Co. and Aleś Taranovič, Ihar Kaškurevič and some other Minsk artists. It came to be named after a nearby street which was formerly called 6^th Line (now Daraševič St.). If there was a person who played for the gallery a crucial role it was Alaksiej Ždanaŭ (1948 – 1993), an artist, poet, and philosopher. The 6^th Line’s policy used to be outlined by its director. In 1992 and 1993 the position was held by Ihar Jermakoŭ and Aleś Taranovič, but was later on taken over by Alena Daraševič and Iryna Bihdaj.

All in all from 1992 to 1998, when it was closed down, the gallery hosted 48 projects, including personal and joint exhibitions, actions, and performances by Belarusian, American, German, and Polish artists. However, it proved to be poor defence against those who decided to do away with the 6^th Line, so in 1998 it ceased to exist, but still there are hopes to revive it.

To help the readers recall what the gallery was like, the article is accompanied by a complete list of exhibitions held at the 6^th Line.

On the cover / the exposition of Cimafiej Izotau’s exhibition, 1996

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