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Art and Culture

Almaty’s Aspan Gallery Champions Central Asian Art at Home and Abroad

“It’s difficult to be a point, but it’s easy to be a line, as everything in our world is moving.” The quote by Soviet avant-garde artist Sergey Kalmykov became the title of a 2020 show by Kazakh artists Almagul Menlibayeva and Yerbossyn Meldibekov, the first exhibition by Almaty-based gallery Aspan to be staged in the UK. This concept of continuous movement aptly describes the nine-year trajectory of the Aspan Gallery, founded and directed by Meruyert Kaliyeva. Maintaining its focus on contemporary Central Asian art, the gallery is constantly expanding and adapting to the dynamic of the international art world. [caption id="attachment_20211" align="aligncenter" width="776"] Dilyara Kaipova @Aspan[/caption] The story of how the gallery came into being is unconventional. Meruyert Kaliyeva studied art in the UK, with the intention of practicing as an artist. She soon discovered, however, that the life of an artist was not for her and explained to TCA: “To be an artist, you must sacrifice your social and family life. You must disconnect from it all, and I was not willing to do that.” At the same time, she noticed that unlike her, many individuals at art school seemed destined to become artists. "Some people don’t have the luxury of choice,” she recalls. “I felt that these people needed to focus solely on creating art, and I realised I could help unburden them from some practical preoccupations.” After four years and a half working in auction houses in the UK, Kaliyeva finally decided to return to Kazakhstan. Having quickly realised the importance of supporting artists in a region where institutional support for contemporary art is extremely limited, she opened what is now the Aspan Gallery. Kaliyeva’s mission was twofold. In tandem with developing the Central Asian art scene locally, through staging important historical exhibitions, publishing books and catalogues, and commissioning artists, she also concentrated on disseminating knowledge of Central Asian art abroad. A case in point is Aspan’s recent, significant donation to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. The donation was curated by Robbie Schweiger, based on research conducted in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and with input from Kaliyeva, connections were drawn between Central Asian artists and the Stedelijk’s permanent collection. The Times of Central Asia spoke to Kaliyeva about both the donation and the growth of the Kazakh art scene over the past few years. TCA: Why did you choose the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam for such a significant donation? MK: We were keen to have some of our artists represented in major institutions and identified three museums as contenders. The first on the list was the Stedelijk, which already held a collection of Central Asian art. The donation comprised 22 works by 13 artists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, spanning almost fifty years, from 1974 to 2020. Works from the 1970s and 1980s, created by artists associated with the underground art scene of the former Soviet republics, were complemented by work made after these republics gained independence in the early 1990s., in which artists explored national...

Uzbekistan: Bukhara Administration Denies Relocation of “Eternal Bukhara”

Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported in an article titled "Land Cleared for Tourism next to Old Bukhara; UNESCO Urges Pause" that the construction of "Eternal Bukhara," a tourist facility in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan, had sparked protests from locals and UNESCO alike. Recently, rumors spread on social media claiming that the "Eternal Bukhara" project is proceeding on the city's outskirts despite public objections. However, the Bukhara city administration has now provided official information to clarify the situation. According to the regional administration, these reports are false. They assert that the construction of the cultural ethnographic park "Eternal Bukhara" is progressing systematically. Most of the old and dilapidated buildings in the area have been dismantled, and the construction site is now 90% ready. Additionally, the Bukhara regional administration have stated that previous dismantling work was completed without affecting the population or surrounding structures, whilst adhering to technical safety regulations. Nearly 70% of the work has reportedly already been completed. The administration also noted that the project documents for "Eternal Bukhara" are being finalized in collaboration with renowned historians, scientists, cultural heritage experts, and international project organizations.

Traditions

Turkmen Sewing: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Art

Turkmen sewing is not just a craft but a real art; its roots go deep into the past, to the Paleolithic era. In the Paleolithic era, people used fur and animal skins for sewing, needles made of bone, and threads made of tendons. Over the centuries, Turkmen's sewing has preserved its uniqueness. It is closely connected with national clothing and is an integral part of the people's cultural heritage. The national costume of Turkmenistan, especially women's, has always been and remains an integral part of everyday clothes for girls and women of all ages. The tradition has always been uninterrupted, and today, Turkmen women continue to wear outfits and jewelry similar to those worn by their ancestors in the 18th and 19th centuries. Women's everyday clothes consisted of dresses, robes, and scarves made of plain cotton fabrics. Festive outfits were made of bright silk fabrics with rich embroidery, and wedding dresses and robes combined exquisite embroidery with silver jewelry. The traditional costume of a Turkmen woman was a bright ensemble: a high headdress draped with silk or woolen shawl, a long red dress with a robe over it, shoes on the feet, a narrow strip of embroidered pants, and a lot of silver jewelry. [caption id="attachment_20018" align="alignnone" width="300"] @advantour.comTurkmen women in traditional clothes with a national carpet[/caption] The modern style of Turkmen clothing preserves the best national features, offering many variants of sleeve shapes and decorative trimming. Each dress is necessarily decorated with ornamental hand embroidery or artistic machine stitching. Even today, Turkmen women prefer traditional outfits, such as a long velvet dress decorated with modern embroidery and jewelry. Even the wealthiest European-style costume cannot compete with the beauty and traditionality of the Turkmen national dress. [caption id="attachment_20023" align="alignnone" width="300"] @iStockA group of dancers before the performance at the Kurban-Bairam Festival.[/caption] In addition, the ornaments used in Turkmen embroidery have a deep symbolic meaning, tying together passed-down knowledge and traditions. Each pattern's history is connected with nature, the cosmos, and mythology. Turkmen embroidery is famous for its skill and precision. It is done by hand, using thin needles and silk or cotton threads. Traditionally, Turkmen women begin sewing in childhood, mastering the embroidery technique from their mothers and grandmothers. Modern Turkmen sewing is actively developing, combining traditional techniques with contemporary trends. Masters use new materials and experiment with colors and ornaments, creating unique works and patterns. [caption id="attachment_20025" align="alignnone" width="200"] @tourstoturkmenistan.comTurkmen national carpets[/caption] Despite the development of technologies, Turkmen sewing remains a valuable type of hand labor passed from generation to generation. It is a bright symbol of Turkmenistan's national wealth and cultural heritage. In 2022, Turkmen embroidery was included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Kazakh Art Abroad: Interview with Saida Sheikhova

Saida Sheikhova is a well-established artist from Kazakhstan, now living in Prague, whose work has garnered an international following. In conversation with TCA, Saida shares her creative path, sources of inspiration, and the challenges and opportunities faced in promoting her art abroad. TCA: What inspired you to take up painting? I started drawing at the age of three. There was an art class at day-care and I spent all my time there. My drawing teacher, Elvira Saparbayevna, noticed something unique in me. By way of encouragement, she introduced me to different materials, techniques, as well as work by famous artists, and I became more and more immersed in the art world. Hearing stories about what inspired people in the past to create art, I found it strange that most were motivated by religious or historical subject matter and determined to follow a different path. TCA: How did your career develop? I enrolled in the Art School Vivat, opened by my kindergarten teacher, where I gained a basic knowledge of art history and gathered together a huge portfolio. During that period, I participated in several exhibitions, including ‘Friendship of the Peoples of the World’ at the Museum of the President of Kazakhstan in 2019, as well as auctions and UN projects. I devoted my summer vacations to drawing, which led to my winning the International Festival ‘Children Draw the World Asia’ in 2017, organized by UNESCO. During the pandemic, I entered and won awards in online competitions on themes of ecology and animal protection within the framework of the UNESCO’s 'Children Draw the World' project. After graduating, I wanted to study in Europe and then if possible, move on elsewhere. Prague was the most affordable option and getting a visa was relatively straightforward. On arriving in the Czech Republic, I participated in exhibitions and competitions at the university. Thanks to the Erasmus+ exchange program, I spent a semester in Italy, where I discovered new techniques and approaches to creativity which helped define both my style and how I wanted to showcase my work. [caption id="attachment_19993" align="aligncenter" width="447"] @ssayashh[/caption] TCA: What inspires your art? Inspiration comes unintentionally. It can be a beautiful shot from a movie, stories of friends, a vivid emotion, or current problems. When an idea pops into my head, I try to sketch it out or write it down so that I always have something to draw in the future. TCA: How does Kazakh culture influence your practice? Kazakh culture influences my perception and interpretation of things in many ways. I often hide or insert traditional Kazakh objects and ornament in my art and use their symbolism to enhance the concept behind the work. I also raise social issues related to contemporary problems in Kazakh society. TCA: What are the challenges in representing your art abroad and how do you overcome them? The main challenges relate to cultural differences and language barriers. Certain topics, relevant in Kazakhstan, may not be understood in Europe. For example, body positivity...

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Poised to Host the 2035 Asian Cup

Three Central Asian countries—Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—are poised to submit a joint application to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to host the Asian Cup 2035 ; the main competition of Asian national football teams. On his “Futbolium” Telegram channel, sports expert Alisher Nikimbayev informed subscribers ,“I have no right to speak officially. But as far as I understand, this is how everything is planned for 2035. And there is already unofficial support from the AFC for this proposal." Nikimbayev mentioned that in addition to the refurbishment of current facilities, new stadiums are being built in Bishkek and Dushanbe. The stadium in Khujand is also being put in order. He finished by noting that Uzbekistan already has stadiums that meet FIFA requirements.

Universities of Kazakhstan and China to Cooperate on Microsatellite Launch

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Northwest Polytechnic University of China have agreed to conduct joint scientific research using microsatellites. According to the press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the agreement was reached during talks between the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Xi Jinping, during the latter's official visit to Kazakhstan. The initiative, the first of its kind to be implemented by Kazakh universities, opens up new opportunities for space research, training qualified specialists, and developing joint satellites, as well as enabling remote sensing studies of the Earth via a microsatellite. Integral to the project, is an aim to develop equipment for gravimetric measurements, including a specialized ground station and a transmitter on the satellite, designed to detect density inhomogeneities in the Earth's crust and mantle. The employment of such, will help solve fundamental problems in the study of geodynamic processes at great depths. The North-West Polytechnic University of China is a leader in launching objects into space whilst Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, the only Kazakh university with experience in launching nanosatellites into orbit , has already launched its own Al-Farabi-1 and Al-Farabi-2 nanosatellites.