20/09/10 - Artistic Reflection on environmental state in Aral Sea basin

Дата публикации: Jan 19, 2012 1:23:24 PM

“The Aral Silhouettes” is the name of the exhibition took place in the capital’s House of Photography. Modern ecologic situation at one of the oldest lakes of the earth depicted in shots provided the visitors the opportunity to see and comprehend that immense significance the nature protection has.

The exhibition “The Aral Silhouettes” was organized by the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, Asia-Pacific Center (APCIEU), Ministry for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, Ecology Movement of Uzbekistan as well as the Tashkent House of Photography. At various periods the well-known photo master from the Korean Republic Sung Nam Hun visited the territory of the Aral Sea and its basin making shots of bright yet at the same time pitiful modern appearance of the region. The current exhibition included about 80 products of similar content. Visitors could see impressive shots on the history of the modern Aral Sea, on the life of people residing the region, which for recent days was famous for its flora and fauna, richest natural resources. At that time the Aral Sea considered the fourth in the world in size. Now the volume of the Aral Sea was reduced more than in 13 times, and the area – for more than 7 times, the water level has decreased on 26 m, the coastal line has receded on hundreds kilometers, as well as the salinity of water considerably increased. All that has brought about a number of complex socio-economic problems. “I have heard much about problems of the people inhabiting the territory of Aral Sea basin. But when I saw those all by own eyes, I figure out how difficult it is for the locals to keep their economy, particularly fishery,” tells the Korean photographer. “I consider the Aral Sea problem has more global scales and touches upon all people living in Central Asia.”

“After gaining independence Uzbekistan undertook huge efforts for stopping and softening the ecological disaster in Aral Sea area,” says Boriy Alihanov, vice-speaker of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis and leader of Uzbekistan’s Ecology Movement. “This exhibition once again confirms that the environmental problem occurring in this area is of global character. At the same time these photos reflect the courage and valor of the people living in the region who work and believe in the future. Not only financial and human recourses are needed to solve this problem, but patience, belief, and the main thing – cohesion.”

Informing the community on the present environmental problems, the exhibition “The Aral Silhouettes” was also aimed at further development of cultural exchange between the Republic Uzbekistan and Korea.

The photographic tour across Uzbekistan has taken place simultaneously with the exhibition as the part of the project “Development of Photographic Materials for Understanding Asian Cultures” carried out by the APCIEU. Shots made by Sung Nam Hun during the photo-tour across Uzbekistan are be presented at the exhibition “Traditional Visual Motifs and Models: Favorable Symbols of Asia» that will take place in Korea in November, 2010.

Samira Salimova, UT