The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, invites Kazakhstanis to visit the international exhibition ‘Ancient Futures’, which opened on April 17 at the Egin Art Space in Almaty, DKnews.kz reports.
The exhibition allows us to take a fresh look at the heritage of our ancestors: not as a static historical archive, but as a system that contains unique ideas for maintaining biobalance. The traditional handicraft practices of Kazakhstan have always been aimed at the rational use of natural resources. Today, when the issue of preserving the environment on the planet is particularly acute, the exhibition suggests using the techniques of ancient crafts in combination with innovative biotechnologies.
At first glance, it seems that this technique is on the verge of fantasy; however, the exhibition offers the opportunity to observe over 20 projects that propel us into the future. These projects are founded on the knowledge of the nature of our ancestors and are directly associated with the preservation of the environment Тhe editorial staff, Comode.kz, reports in their article
Scientists, artists, researchers and biodesigners from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and Slovenia have teamed up to demonstrate how fungal mycelium can be introduced into the production of urban shelters for birds and bees, making houses regenerative and environmentally friendly. How to use cells of living algae, which absorb salt particles from the disappearing Aral Sea from the air, when creating ceramic tiles, and how to avoid chemical dyes when felting wool, using natural pigments of bioorganisms for coloring. More than 20 exhibits will discuss these and other non-standard ideas for reducing human strain on the environment, ensuring that by generating advantages for us, we may collaborate with nature productively and wisely.
This exhibition is of great importance to society because it connects our past and our future, and it is vital for us all to understand what type of world we will live in. If we look back in time, our forefathers lived in intimate contact with nature. They followed the values of respect and non-harm towards her. They reused recycled materials until they vanished into the soil, attempting to leave no trace of waste. I perceive this exhibition as a revival of ecology, crafts and ancestral heritage. Such exhibitions are crucial in today's consumer culture. And I hope that many people will be able to recognize the essential work of other participants, such as those who utilize recycled plastic Moldir Karubaikyzy, an artist and participant of the exhibition
The exhibition's partners include the British Council, the Goethe Institute, the Indrive company, the Spanish Embassy in Kazakhstan, and others.
The exhibition will run from April 17 to May 1 at the Egin Art Space, at 79 Nurmakova St., Almaty. Admission is free.
