Latitude Art Space During the 44-Day War
In the fall of 2020, as war once again cast its shadow over Artsakh, Yerevan Biennial Art Foundation did what felt most urgent — it turned Latitude Art Space, its contemporary art hub, into a shelter.
What had been a space for artistic dialogue and cross-cultural exchange became, overnight, a temporary home for over 40 evacuees from Artsakh — mostly families, some with children with special needs. Art gave way to safety. Installations made space for sleeping mats. The walls remained, but their purpose shifted.
Together with the Vahakni City community, we mobilized quickly to provide basic necessities — food, clothing, and medical care. But we also knew that care meant more than survival. It meant joy. Dignity. Distraction. For the youngest among them, we created indoor and outdoor activities to soften the trauma with moments of lightness.
It was a time of heartbreak, but also of radical compassion.
What happened at Latitude was not just an act of response — it was a reflection of our core belief: that art spaces must hold space for humanity in all its forms. Even, and especially, in crisis.
We thank everyone who stood with us — those who donated, cooked, delivered, and showed up.
This moment is now part of our story — not just of what we create, but who we choose to be when it matters most.