Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 17 May, the Culture and Art Development Foundation of Uzbekistan and the French architectural bureau Studio KO held a public presentation of two projects at once: the reconstruction of the building of the Center for Contemporary Art and art residences in the Namuna and Khast Imam mahallas in Tashkent. 

The architects talked about the stages of work and presented 3D models and visualizations of future buildings and spaces, as well as the layout of the Center for Contemporary Art, created by Mitza Muchiarelli, a well-known layout artist and founder of Atelier Misto. In the future, the layout will be shown in the main atrium of the Center as one of the symbols of the project.

“We set ourselves an important task – to renew the already existing unique space, thereby preserving the individual cultural, architectural and historical environment of the city. Unfortunately, due to the epidemic and restrictions due to COVID, we had to postpone the restoration work for almost two years. During this time, we managed to hold several major events, launch the Center’s Young Artists Laboratory, recruit mediators for the Venice Biennale, and launch the reconstruction of mahallas. Preparatory work on the reconstruction of the building began in 2021, and full completion is scheduled for 2023,” Gayane Umerova, Executive Director of the Culture and Art Development Foundation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

We, in cooperation with the Culture and Art Development Foundation, are planning the renovation of the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent. It will host events, exhibitions, seminars for different groups of the population in order to study art.

When conducting a survey of the building, we identified that the first time the restoration was carried out by the architect in the best quality. The building has remained almost in its original form since 1912.

I think that this will be a place to live, including a space where representatives of the creative community from all countries of Central Asia will come. A place where people can exchange ideas, create something new, Olivier Marty, co-founder of the architectural bureau "Studio KO" France said.

CCA: The center opened in 2019 and has been operating in test mode ever since. During this time, the Center hosted lectures and open discussions, film screenings, master classes for adults and children. Directors, artists, curators, museum staff, architects, heads of cultural institutions from France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Singapore, USA, Russia and Uzbekistan spoke to the audience. In addition, CCA develops long-term partnership projects with the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Aga Khan Music Initiative, the Georges Pompidou Center for Art and Culture in Paris, the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, and the Center for Contemporary Art in Singapore. and the British gallery Tate Modern. At the end of 2021, the Center presented an exhibition by the Italian architect, critic, curator and editor Joseph Grim titled “As Al-Khwarizmi spoke”, which is currently on display at the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan at the Venice Biennale.

The Culture and Art Development Foundation will create art residences in the historical part of the city of Tashkent

Art residences will be created in the Namuna and Khast Imom mahallas, included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

The Culture and Art Development Foundation continues to work to further preserve the historical mahallas of the city of Tashkent, their uniqueness and cultural and historical heritage, and initiates the creation of art residences in the Old City of Tashkent. The project will be implemented in partnership with the architectural bureau Studio KO (Morroco).

Two objects are defined for the organization of the creative space. The first one is located in the Namuna mahalla, where the Matkarimba madrasah will be restored as a territory for creating an artistic platform, preserving the traditional architectural appearance. The second one is located in the Khast Imom mahalla in the building of a former preschool educational institution. These mahallas are located in the Olmazar district of the city of Tashkent.

The implementation of this project is primarily related to the strengthening of state support for the sphere of culture and art and the development of projects to create a comfortable urban environment with an emphasis on respect and preservation of its authenticity.

Art residence - what is it?

The art residence is a platform for the exchange of experience, intercultural dialogue and the implementation of joint art projects. This format of cultural exchange contributes to the establishment of mutual understanding between different cultures. Artists, working in residences, learn the history and features of the host country.

In art residences, all conditions for the life and work of the artist are available. He is provided with everything he needs: a creative workshop, materials and tools for work, as well as audiences with which to discuss the works brought to life during their stay at the residence.

The model of organizing creativity within the framework of art residences has been gaining great popularity in the world over the past few years and is becoming an important step in the career of many artists seeking to break out of their local artistic environment and integrate into the international context. The participant communicates with his colleagues and critics. This is always a strong start for a young artist who has just completed his studies, and a good incentive for someone who wants active growth and movement.

The largest art residences in the world: Jan Van Eyck Academie (Maastricht, the Netherlands), Tabakalera (San Sebastian, Spain), Casa de Velázquez (Madrid, Spain), Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venezia (Venice, Italy), Acme Studios (London, United Kingdom).

What will happen in Tashkent art residences?

Creative workshops, living quarters, exhibition space, a library and co-working will be organized in Tashkent art residences.

The design concept of the art residences will be developed by the Studio KO architectural bureau, taking into account world standards.

The workshops will provide the opportunity to work on professional equipment with the support of a team of technical specialists. They will have access to a variety of tools and materials for both traditional techniques and digital production. This space will allow for creativity, experimentation and dialogue between practitioners and the wider community.

Coworking space is a collaborative space where participants from different workshops can prepare their projects, make presentations and just chat. They will have at their disposal computers with installed software, upholstered furniture that creates comfort and a relaxed atmosphere, a library, a kitchen with vending machines.

Art residences in Tashkent will become an educational platform for the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, and a progressive art space. They will launch special programs for the professional development of artists. Lectures and creative workshops will also be held on a regular basis.

Residents are representatives of the creative industry who want to improve their skills, collaborate and continue their professional careers at the international level. Residents get access to all the resources of the art center. The program will be open to artists from all walks of life, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, new media, film, 3D printing, as well as curators and researchers. The main condition for participation in the art residence program is the idea of an interesting project and the desire to work in a new cultural space.

Both local and foreign artists can become residents.

What are the goals of creating art residences in Tashkent?

The purpose of creating art residences in Tashkent is to support creative youth and professionals working in various disciplines, create a space with modern equipment and a favorable environment for the development of contemporary art and design practices rooted in the culture and traditions of Uzbekistan. It will be a platform for collaboration between domestic and international representatives of the creative class.

Culture and Art Development Foundation initiates projects aimed at the development of culture, art, literature, theater, music, architecture and choreography in Uzbekistan. It establishes international cultural relations and promotes the cultural potential of the country on the world stage. Among the long-term programs of the Foundation are the creation of an inclusive and accessible environment in the cultural institutions of the country, the renovation of museums, the development of patronage and the promotion of the formation of human resources for museums, theaters and other cultural institutions.