'Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism' By Wael Al Awar

by Sophie She

'Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism' By Wael Al Awar

21 Feb 2024

Have you ever noticed that just one scene in a modern city can tell you a lot about the city's history and character? Looking outside your window right now, you might see more than you think — beautiful smile lines on sand fields, older buildings rich with history, and attractive new structures equipped with smart technology. All of this in just one glance.

We are now in a moment of history where we not only understand the concept of "meta-art" but also explore and experiment with it in different ways. Bearing this in mind, you can explore the essence of modern, charismatic architecture in Tashkent, uncovered by Waiwai at the Sharjah Triennial 2023 until the 10th of March. The “Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism” exhibition, a joint effort of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation and architect Wael Al Awar, the founder of Waiwai, delves into the evolution of three key buildings — the landmarks from the mid-1970s: the State Museum of Arts, Chaikhana Samarkand teahouse, and Zarafshan restaurant.

Instagram: @acdfuz

You can explore these monuments within the gallery through exact 1:2 scaled replicas of architectural fragments. The display offers a chance to examine Tashkent's cultural and social capitals, showcasing two stages of buildings’ existence — the initial construction and subsequent modifications.

Source: 2023.sharjaharchitecture.org

What’s interesting about this installation is the thorough exploration of modern buildings’ evolution. You can see how styles and contexts have changed over time within just one art space! And you can certainly notice obvious questions that are raised by architect: questions about the beautiful intersection of modernism and vernacular architecture in the city’s landscapes.

Moving on, the authors added another beautiful sensory layer to the exhibition by collaborating with Tashkent-based artist and architect Anahit Kayumova. Anahit reinterprets the buildings’ ornamentation, using surface textures on replicas. By drawing inspiration from both historical and contemporary photos, Anahit intricately blends patterns from the original and modified facades of the buildings. This artistic touch highlights the complex character of the structures, transforming them into captivating pieces of art.

Instagram: @acdfuz

Part of a broader research initiative exploring the changing face of modernism in Tashkent, the series has been showcased in Milan, Tashkent, and now Sharjah. As part of the Sharjah Triennial, the exhibition aligns with the overarching theme, “The Beauty of Impermanence: An Architecture of Adaptability”. The aim is to unravel the diverse layers of history surrounding these modernist projects, promoting a deeper understanding of the city’s heritage.

“Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism” is a captivating exploration of Tashkent’s architectural development. Through meticulous replicas and the touch of Anahit Kayumova, the exhibition travels through time, revealing the thin layers of the city’s artistic identity.

by Sophie She