The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the UK

Events

01/07/2009 Kazakh Craftswomen of Mongolia’s ‘Rich Cradle’

Kazakh Craftswomen of Mongolia’s ‘Rich Cradle’

An exhibition on craftswomen and their textiles

9 July - 19 September 2009

Brunei Gallery, SOAS

Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Admission free

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 - 17.00

For further details of the exhibition and events please visit www.soas.ac.uk/gallery

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This exhibition focuses on Kazakh craftswomen living in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia and their textiles. The aim of the exhibition is to bring to life the craftswomen behind the artefacts, the everyday lives of which these crafts are part, and the skills and processes involved in their production.

Kazakh textiles, and photographic and video material from the area will be displayed. A furnished yurt will show the home environment for which these textiles are made and which in turn works as a source of inspiration for craftswomen in their daily lives. Film screenings, talks and musical events are also planned.

The Kazakhs form the largest minority in Mongolia and live mainly in the western-most province of Bayan-Ölgii, meaning ‘Rich Cradle’ in Mongolian. Most Kazakhs in this remote, mountainous region are dependent on domestic animals for their livelihood. Many move up to several times a year with their herds between fixed seasonal settlements. Other families with smaller herds stay closer to their winter house during the summer but will nevertheless set up a yurt (kiiz yi, meaning ‘felt house’).

The summertime yurt (and to a lesser extent the winter house) is richly furnished with embroidered, felt and woven textiles. These textiles are made of a mixture of raw materials derived from local herds (for instance sheep’s wool and camel hair), but also integrate new materials, colours and designs. New tools and techniques are also developed by the craftswomen, resulting in changing styles and fashions in textile production. The exhibition focuses on these craftswomen, painting a picture of their creative practices and lives.

You can always see the samples of the pieces displayed at the Exhibition here

TALKS, FILM SCREENINGS AND DISCUSSION

Tuesday 14 July, 12.00 - 17.00

Brunei Suite, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Admission free.

This day of talks, film screenings and discussion is intended to create understanding of the historical background of the Kazakh of western Mongolia; their economic and political situation; daily life in this area; and domestic crafts production by Kazakh women. Speakers include Professor Peter Finke, Raisa Kader, and Dr Anna Portisch.

Two films will be screened: 'L’appel de la Steppe' - [Call of the Steppe] by French travel writer, Antoine de Changy, and film maker Célina Antomarchi-Lamé: a film about the Kazakh Diaspora in western Mongolia and the authors’ extended stay with a Kazakh family in the Altai Mountains.

The second film, 'The Ballad of the Trader' by French anthropologist, Gaëlle Lacaze, depicts the livelihood strategies of Kazakh traders in western Mongolia after the fall of Soviet-backed socialism in Mongolia.

TWO CONCERTS KAZAKH AND BRITISH MUSIC

Tuesday 25 August, 20.00 - 22.00 & Thursday 17 September, 20.00 - 22.00

Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Admission free.

Two concerts will explore the notions of fugal play in music with combinations of solo, duo and trio chamber repertoire. Each concert will be centered around a World Premiere by acclaimed composers Sadie Harrison and Jim Aitchison written specially in response to the exhibits on display. The programmes will also include music by living Kazakh and British composers and pieces by Bach and Telemann.

Please see the Gallery website for further details and information about the above events: www.soas.ac.uk/gallery