Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev on Afghanistan: 'We must get the artists out'
In a conversation with Artribune, curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev reflects on her engagement with Afghanistan since dOCUMENTA (13) in 2012, which featured a location in Kabul. She identifies four thematic exhibition areas: on stage (Kassel), on retreat (Banff), in a state of hope (Cairo and Alexandria), and under siege (Kabul and Bamiyan). Her bond with Afghanistan stems from her friendship with Alighiero Boetti and her archaeological perspective on history. Collaborations involve Afghan organizations like CCAA and initiatives to restore Afghan Film's negatives. She emphasizes the peril facing Afghan artists under Taliban rule, mentioning Lida Abdul, Mariam Ghani, Shamsia Hassani, Fatimah Hossaini, Mohsen Taasha, Yousef Assefi, and Khadim Ali, urging for global action to facilitate their evacuation.
Key facts
- Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev curated dOCUMENTA (13) with a second venue in Kabul in 2012.
- The exhibition in Kabul was part of the 'under siege' axis of dOCUMENTA (13).
- Christov-Bakargiev's connection to Afghanistan was influenced by Alighiero Boetti's One Hotel in Kabul.
- The Aga Khan Foundation supported her initial research trip to Afghanistan in 2010.
- Michael Rakowitz created an artwork using stones from Bamiyan to reproduce books burned in Kassel in 1942.
- Giuseppe Penone's marble tree sculpture was installed in Bagh-e Babur, Kabul, and remains there.
- Afghan artists mentioned include Lida Abdul, Mariam Ghani, Shamsia Hassani, Fatimah Hossaini, Mohsen Taasha, Yousef Assefi, and Khadim Ali.
- Christov-Bakargiev urges the international community to help Afghan artists leave the country.
- She criticizes the art world's weak response to the crisis.
- The interview was published on Artribune in September 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev
- Alighiero Boetti
- Mario García Torres
- Michael Rakowitz
- Giuseppe Penone
- Lida Abdul
- Mariam Ghani
- Shamsia Hassani
- Fatimah Hossaini
- Mohsen Taasha
- Yousef Assefi
- Khadim Ali
- Francis Alÿs
- Jérôme Bel
- Adrián Villar Rojas
- Goshka Macuga
- Michael Taussig
- Andrea Viliani
- Andrea Bruno
- Josef Dalle Nogare
- Arnold Bode
Institutions
- dOCUMENTA (13)
- Documenta
- Artribune
- Aga Khan Foundation
- Goethe Institut
- German Foreign Office
- CCAA – Centre for Contemporary Art Afghanistan
- National Museum of Afghanistan
- Afghan Film
- Bagh-e Babur
- Queen's Palace
- One Hotel
- Castello di Rivoli
- Reina Sofía
- Andrew Kreps Gallery
- Kate MacGarry
- Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle
- kurimanzutto
- Camp and Padma
- Centre Culturel Français
- National Gallery of Art (Afghanistan)
- Italian Embassy in Kabul
- Italian Armed Forces
- Serena Hotel
Locations
- Afghanistan
- Kabul
- Bamiyan
- Herat
- Kassel
- Germany
- Banff
- Canada
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Alexandria
- Switzerland
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Paris
- France
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Bombay
- India
- Dolomites
- Italy
- Hindu Kush
- Band-e-Amir