Gulnara Kasmalieva & Muratbek Djumaliev

A New Silk Road: Algorithm of Survival and Hope

5 channel video installation with photographs

 

Tracks with rusty metal to China and back became a symbol of the very complicate process of migration, survival and transformation of mentality of the last 16 years in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz people’s lifestyle has been transformed during the last 100 years. Nomads in the past, semi nomads in soviet time, Kyrgyz people absorbed, from time to time, very destructive rules of global market, in the last two decades.

 

The road (people still call it “jibek jol” (“silk road”) on the high mountains connecting Kyrgyzstan and China is interesting by its history as well. Existed from ancient time -there still exists a caravan saray from Middle Ages there- the road reflected all socio-political changes within the country. The road was renovated after Second World War in short period when a good relationship between Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mao’s China existed. The old statues of Soviet leaders on the road are the mute witness of that time. But in the end of 50’s some part of the road became a runaway for military airplanes against China (now it is a huge parking for trucks). Today, former shepherds survive serving the trucks here. A small clay house and wagons offer the drivers bed and feeding.

 

Gulnara Kasmalieva & Muratbek Djumaliev’s project is part of the group exhibition Dalla via Emilia al mondo,  curated by Diane Dufour, Elio Grazioli and Walter Guadagnini.

Dalla via Emilia al mondo

The theme of Fotografia Europea 2016 opens to the world in the venue of Palazzo da Mosto with the collective exhibition Dalla via Emilia al mondo (From the via Emilia to the World).

Room after room, the work ranges from high quality photojournalism to the most creative approach introducing topical themes, from a lyrical gaze to a more engaged position. The artists tackle the dramatic aspect of borders, those which are marked and those less visible but still evident. Here, the social, political, and human themes take precedence, recounted primarily by non-Italian artists: Ziad Antar, Paola De Pietri, Gulnara Kasmalieva & Muratbek Djumaliev, Kent Klich, Bettina Lockemann, Maanantai Collective, Michael Najjar, Paolo Pellegrin, Katja Stuke & Oliver Sieber.

BIO

Gulnara Kasmalieva (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 1960) e Muratbek Djumaliev (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 1965) have exhibited their photo and video installations in important museums and institutions in the world, such as 51st Venice Biennale, Venice, 2005; Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei, Taiwan, 2006; Zendai Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai; Kiasma Museum for Contemporary Art, Helsinki; The Art Institute of Chicago; Sharjah Biennial, 2007; MART Rovereto, 2008; MoMA New York, 2009; Artes Mundi Prize, Cardiff, 2009 and 2010; MuHKA Museum, Antwerp, 2010; Calvert 22 Foundation, London e 4. Photofestival Mannheim, 2011; Maraya Art Center, Sharjah and Gwanju Biennale, 2012; Centre d’Art Contemporain, Yverdon-Les-Bains, 2015.

Among their public recognitions: Prince Claus Award, 2010; Nominee Artes Mundi, Wales International Art Prize, National Museum Cardiff, 2010.

EVENTS

7 May 11 am, Palazzo Da Mosto

ASK THE ARTIST: From the via Emilia to the World

with Ziad Antar, Maanantai Collective, Paola De Pietri, Gulnara Kasmalieva & Muratbek Djumaliev, Kent Klich, Michael Najjar, Paolo Pellegrin, Katja Stuke & Oliver Sieber.

The artists answer at questions by public.

 

8 May 10.30 am, Teatro Cavallerizza

LECTURE: From the via Emilia to the World

Diane Dufour, Elio Grazioli e Walter Guadagnini talks with the artists Ziad Antar, Maanantai Collective, Paola De Pietri, Gulnara Kasmalieva & Muratbek Djumaliev, Kent Klich, Michael Najjar, Paolo Pellegrin, Katja Stuke & Oliver Sieber

EXHIBITION VENUE

Palazzo da Mosto
via Mari, 7
42121 Reggio Emilia

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OPENING HOURS

inaugural days
May 6 › 7am-11pm
May 7 and 8 › 10am-11pm
from May 9 to July 10 Friday/Sunday
Friday › 6pm-11pm
Saturday › 10am-11pm
Sunday and holiday › 10am-8pm

Category
Palazzo da Mosto