You might have seen posts on Kazakhstan’s art scene by Daniel Gallegos, an American artist who is now in Almaty. I visited Daniel and his colleagues from the Artpologist project Zhanara, Aminatou and Gaisha at Soros Centre for Contemporary Art in Almaty. The project reflects on the transformation of space in Almaty influenced by rapid development and construction, and focuses on artists’ personal work spaces. The incentive for the project was “Love your city. Know your city”, a phrase by Jane Jacobs, an urbanist, and an advocate of knowing the cities, respecting them and understanding how they develop and change.

The group lived in the Center for several weeks, preparing for the exhibit. The location of the center is interesting: next to the wellness centre Luxor, it is surrounded by luxurious villas built by migrant-workers. There is no one in this “VIP-town” apart from workers, guards and artists, reflecting on, as they say, “faceless transformations of the contemporary urban space”.

I took some photos there, amazed by the contrasting views that Almaty offers. If you are in Almaty, don’t miss a chance to visit the exhibition and to speak to guys about their very interesting experiences. The exhibit is opening tomorrow August 14, at 6.30 PM with the presentation of the project and will last until August 25. The address of the exhibit is Dostyq street, VIP-town “Alem-2”, sector 110, block B, tel.: 320-12-03/04.

So, who are the Artpologist group? Meet:

Zhanara Nauryzbaeva, a PhD candidate at Stanford University in the Department of Anthropology, is finishing her field work in Almaty: I am the “anthropologist” in this project, but actually I feel like it’s not that there is a line between an artist and an anthropologist, but like we all have a bit of anthropology in us, in our approaches to life.

Daniel Gallegos is from Oakland, California: I am a painter, illustrator, “artpologist”, somebody who is interested in cities, the way they grow, transform and develop. So that’s why I am part of this project.

Gaisha Madanova, a student of Architectural College, 3rd course: I am interested in this project because it makes me understand how the world transforms and how I am transformed into this world.

Aminatou Echard, Paris: I am making experimental videos, sometimes documentary and now in this project I will do some installations.

About the project

Zhanara: Initially we were fascinated with the artists’ studios, artists who live in Almaty, you know, what amazing and unique spaces those are. (more…)