The BACKUP.VAVILOV project highlights the crucial role of genetic plant diversity in ensuring global food security, inspired by the life and legacy of Soviet scientist Nikolai Vavilov.

The project raises a profound question: What is the true value of a seed if it can inspire some to attack and kill, while others heroically defend it - even at the cost of their own lives?

The starting point of the exhibition is the story of the Siege of Leningrad during World War II. While the majority of its casualties - up to 1.5 million - died of hunger rather than bombs, a small group of scientists from the All-Union Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) protected the world's first genetic seed bank. Nine of VIR’s employees perished from starvation in a room filled with seeds, choosing not to consume them in order to safeguard the future of agricultural development - continuing a lineage of seed cultivation that began with ancient farmers.

This heroic act reflects the spirit of Nikolai Vavilov, the founder of VIR, who dedicated his life to protecting biodiversity. He traveled to 64 countries, collecting seeds, grains, and roots to create the largest collection of cultivated plants in the world at that time. He also developed the theory of the Centers of Origin of Cultivated Plants and formulated the Law of Homologous Series in Hereditary Variation - a principle that helped predict plant traits across related species, guiding plant breeding efforts globally.

Although Vavilov's scientific vision was far ahead of his time, he was arrested and later died of starvation in prison under Stalin’s regime. His story reminds us that knowledge and freedom of thought are often endangered by authoritarian power.

The exhibition connects this historical narrative with today’s world. Despite advances in science and the existence of global networks to protect genetic material, modern wars and climate disasters still threaten biodiversity. The project brings together artists of different nationalities and backgrounds, each exploring this topic through their own cultural and emotional perspectives. It reminds us that while war has borders, nature does not.

Artists: Kumi Hiroi, Müge Yilmaz, Olga Ganzha, Maarten Vanden Eynde, Onkruidenier (Jonmar van Vlijmen, Rosanne van Wijk, and Ronald Boer)
With participation of Louise O Fresco and Susan Kooi
Curated by Natalia Sudova

Supported by AFK Foundation, WE Jansenfonds, Iona Stichting, Mondriaan Fund, het Cultuurfonds, VriendenLoterij Fonds

Opening 20/06/25 19.00 – 22.00
Free entrance for the opening
Duration 21/06/25 – 27/07/25