Parasol Unit's 'Turandot' Exhibition Reclaims Central Asian Narratives at Palazzo Franchetti
The Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art is set to showcase 'TURANDOT: To the Daughters of the East' at ACP–Palazzo Franchetti in Venice, running from May 9 to October 31, 2026. Curated by Ziba Ardalan, this exhibition revisits Turandot, who was initially a Slavic princess in Nizami's 'Haft Paykar' and later transformed into a Chinese princess in Puccini's opera from 1926. The focus is on Turan's historical territory, which encompasses present-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Eleven female artists delve into the cultural and political narratives of the region, featuring significant pieces such as Mona Hatoum's 'Hot Spot,' Nazira Karimi's 'Return Policy,' Afruz Amighi's 'Opium House Tears,' and Saodat Ismailova's film '18,000 worlds.' Cleo Roberts-Komireddi reviews the exhibition.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'TURANDOT: To the Daughters of the East' runs May 9–Oct 31, 2026 at ACP–Palazzo Franchetti, Venice.
- Curated by Ziba Ardalan of Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art.
- Features 11 female artists: Mona Hatoum, Nazira Karimi, Afruz Amighi, Huma Bhabha, Daria Kim, Madina Joldybek, Saodat Ismailova, and others.
- Turandot originates from Nizami's Persian poem 'Haft Paykar' as Slavic princess Nasrin Nush.
- The character was Orientalized in 18th-century Europe and later in Puccini's opera 'Turandot' (1926).
- The region Turan historically included parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey; now comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
- Nazira Karimi's 'Return Policy' (2019) critiques dowry practices and returned brides in Tajikistan.
- Afruz Amighi's 'Opium House Tears' (2024) references the opium trade using Bic pen casings as improvised pipes.
- Daria Kim's '1937' (2025) addresses Stalin's forced relocation of Koryo-saram communities in Uzbekistan.
- Madina Joldybek's 'Milk Road' (2025–26) honors Kazakh women affected by the Soviet 'Hujum' campaign of 1927.
- Saodat Ismailova's '18,000 worlds' (2023) explores post-Soviet identity with footage from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
- Review by Cleo Roberts-Komireddi, London-based art historian.
Entities
Artists
- Mona Hatoum
- Nazira Karimi
- Afruz Amighi
- Huma Bhabha
- Daria Kim
- Madina Joldybek
- Saodat Ismailova
- Khristofor Kan
- Anatoly Ligay
- Cleo Roberts-Komireddi
- Giacomo Puccini
- Ziba Ardalan
- Lida Abdul
- Farideh Lashai
- Tala Madani
- Hera Büyüktaşciyan
- Nezami Ganjavi
- Lewis Carroll
- Mohammad Mossadegh
- Aldo Premoli
Institutions
- Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art
- ACP–Palazzo Franchetti
- La Scala
- Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Swiss Institute
- Columbia University
- David Kordansky Gallery
- Aspan Gallery
- MdbK Leipzig
- Farideh Lashai Foundation
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Turkey
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Central Asia
- Turan
- Balkh
- Bukhara
- Moscow
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States
- New York
- Berlin
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Tashkent
- Almaty
- Vienna
- Austria
- Istanbul
- Tehran
- Iran
- Kabul
- Switzerland
- Ahmadabad