At the Crossroads of Asia and Europe
At The Crossroads of Asia and Europe: 20°^ Century Masterpieces from the A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts in Kazakhstan, will open at the Na-tional Arts Club on June 18'h and will be on view until July 15th. This exhi-bition covers the period from the 1930s-1970s and presents some of the greatest examples of 20th century Kazakh art. The most vibrant cultural and historical fine artists from Kazakhstan are featured. "This exhibit, in each of its parts and as a whole," asserts Gulmira Shalabaeva Ph.D, the Director of the A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, "is an expression of the spirit of Kazakhstan's history, people, nature and traditions which form the identity of this country in the head of Central Asia."
The Kasteyev State Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Central Asia and its collection is amongst the most significant in the region. Although the Kazakh decorative arts and crafts tradition spans centuries, originating with the development of the great Silk Road, the fine arts movement developed and rose to prominence in the 20th century. Within this short period of time, great artists emerged and a tremendous fine art tradition was established, putting Kazakhstan on the map locally and globally.
Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, explains: “Kazakhstan is located at the heart of the Eurasian region. The most important property of the state is its national culture: both its ancient origins and the modern realities that are reflected in visual arts. In Rukhani Zhangiru’s state program, the proj-
ect Modern Culture of Kazakhstan in a Global
World occupies a special place. Its main goal is to acquaint the global community with the best of Kazakhstan’s culture. This exhibit presents some of the best examples of Kazakhstan’s artistic tradition to an American audience and acquaints viewers with the history, culture and lifestyle of Kazakh Nomads. We hope that this project will facilitate a stronger cultural connection between Kazakhstan and America and strengthen collaboration between our countries.”
Among the artists represented in this exhibition is Abylkhan Kasteyev, after whom the Museum was named in 1984. Kasteyev’s art transcends historical boundaries and vividly depicts the ancient traditions and values of his culture. In the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Kasteyev was determined to tell the story of the Kazakh people. His work explores na- tional customs and everyday life in the steppe. His iconic masterpiece, Hunter with a Golden
Eagle, depicts a historic ritual rife with significance for Kazakh nomads. The art of falconry has been passed down from father to son, an integral part of Kazakh culture and a tradition carefully guarded for thousands of years.
The exhibit also features two prominent female artists in Kazakhstan’s painting tradition: Gulfairus Ismailova and Aisha Galymbaeva. These women provide glimpses into Kazakh domesticity, reinventing the still-life genre to include elements of traditional Kazakh ornamentation, decorations, home and hearth. Their work conveys the warmth and hospitality of Kazakh homes and features objects unique to Kazakhstan, from traditional musical instruments to wedding headdresses.
In the mid to late-20th Century a more modernistic approach began to take hold in Kazakhstan’s creative community, exemplified by the Shestidesyatniki, a group of visual artists active in the 1960s. Salihitdin Aytbayev, Abdrashit Sydykhanov, Shaimardan Sariyev and Tokbolat Togyzbayev use bright colors and sharp geometric forms in their work, moving away from the realistic landscapes and scenes of daily life characteristic of their predecessors. During this period, the guiding principles of realism loosen and more abstracted, stylized forms appear, although the underlying themes of the Kazakh nomad, the steppe and mountains remain strong.
“When President Nursultan Nazarbayev and President Donald J. Trump met at the White House on January 2018,” His Excellency Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States, Erzhan Kazykhanov, points out “the two leaders adopted a Joint Statement on Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century, set to elevate Kazakh-American relations across the broad spectrum of cooperation, including through fostering cultural links and people-to-people relations. As we aim to nurture mutual cultural exchange and encourage greater connectivity between Kazakhstan and the United States, it is our hope that our American friends and partners will enjoy a month -long exhibition featuring the treasures of the Kasteyev State Museum of Arts.”
At the Crossroads of Asia and Europe reveals a complex dialogue between Kazakhstan and the West. Although Kazakh life had been depicted by European ethnographers and researchers prior to the 20th century, never before had the brush been picked up by a Kazakh artist with such intent and creativity. The national fine arts tradition of Kazakhstan is full of vibrant energy and skill. This exhibition beautifully offers a view into Kazakhstan’s National school with its love of tradition, national identity and history.