Through Google Video, you can access one of Swiss artist Da Vaz’s videos on Kazakhstan. This, well, unorthodox artist has been travelling through Kazakhstan and produced a 1.5-hour documentary witout ‘annoying’ commentary.

It contains very interesting perspectives from throughout the country - some bleak, some rather funny - and is recommended viewing for all those who have a boring assignment to do and can afford to have a Google Video window open on the edge of the screen. The choice of music throughout the film ranges from traditional Kazakh music via Abba (!) to full-blown club tunes (some of which is rather misfortunate).

Of note are the shots from the dry Aral Sea bed, the Russian exodus and the impressions from Astana at the end of the film. Da Vaz allocated a lot of his film time driving around in a car, in my opinion catching the endless width of the Kazakh steppe quite well. However, by spending such long time along the main roads, the images are also quite misrepresentative as their overall feel is rather desolate and Kazakhstan certainly has many very beautiful spots as well. And while loads of cars break down on Kazakh roads, Da Vaz must have an obsession with burst tyres and other misfortunes on Central Asian roads.

If you wonder how Da Vaz works, check out this TV-feature on his stint at a Kazakh media school. His filming techniques are certainly quite unique, not only for the Kazakh students. Maybe because, in Da Vaz’s words:

He refused to go to any Art college. He disliked the idea of learning the basic techniques. The outcome? A movement called, “Da Vaz”.
For Da Vaz, it’s not a question of techniques but how one evolves that along with the creative process. When you go through his work, he urges you not to search for his intentions behind them. It’s how you perceive them that’s important.

Also check out this short preview of his documentary on the Aral Sea.