AK-JOL ART MOBILE

Kyrgyzstan

2024 – 2027

International and interactive traveling exhibition of contemporary art in Kyrgyzstan

ArtCity e.V. proudly presents „Ak Jol – Art Mobil,“ an international traveling exhibition of contemporary art in Kyrgyzstan. Following the successful Berlin Bishkek Art Weeks in 2023, we aim to deepen our intercultural and artistic work through this long-term project.

The aim is to strengthen transnational networks and form a diverse community that uses art to promote solidarity across ideological or national borders. 

Connecting Through Creativity

Our mission is to strengthen transnational networks and foster a diverse community that uses art to promote solidarity across ideological and national boundaries. By collaborating with local initiatives focused on social justice in rural areas, we aim to contribute to informal educational efforts rooted in mutual understanding and dialogue. Art serves as a powerful vehicle for fostering connection.

Non-Profit Commitment

ArtCity e.V. operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural initiatives that benefit society. Our team is passionately committed to creating a positive impact through the arts, believing that culture can be a powerful catalyst for social change. We work collaboratively with local communities and artists, ensuring that our projects are accessible and inclusive. By fostering creativity and dialogue, we strive to contribute to a better society and empower individuals to express themselves through the arts.

Bringing Art to Rural Regions

Our project strives to make contemporary art accessible to regions often disconnected from urban cultural life. This initiative encourages intergenerational exchanges, bridging lifestyles and perspectives from rural and urban settings. By promoting vibrant international exchanges, we catalyze sustainable economic growth and increased employment opportunities in the arts.

Phased Approach for Lasting Impact

„Ak Jol“ unfolds in several strategic phases across Kyrgyzstan’s seven administrative regions (Chui, Issyk-Kul, Talas, Naryn, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Batken). Each phase builds on the last, ensuring comprehensive engagement and artistic delivery.

Phase A: Building Trust
Focused on informal engagement with local communities, this phase includes a 1.5 to 2-week stay in each village to establish „bus stops“ for our art mobile.

Phase B: Artistic Engagement
The Art Mobil travels to these stops, setting up pop-up exhibitions in collaboration with international artists from Europe and Central Asia.

Phase C: Festival and Exhibition
An art festival and exhibition concept will be launched in Bishkek/Berlin, amplifying our reach and impact.

BUS STOP CONCEPT

We have successfully completed the installation at Issyk Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world, marking the conclusion of Phase A in this region.

The prototype bus stop is inspired by the frame of a yurt, a traditional Kyrgyz nomad tent, and can be designed and reinterpreted with typical regional elements. This reference to the yurt is intentional, as it has always served as a gathering place that unites diverse influences and continues to be a central aspect of daily life in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The artistic installations, referred to as „bus stops,“ also function as venues for encounters. Local materials are utilized and recycled in the construction.

Each bus stop will be equipped with QR codes, enabling visitors to learn about the project prior to the commencement of Phase B. This feature will also allow passersby to engage with the project year-round. Additionally, the bus stops will be marked on a digital map, fostering connections between regions in Kyrgyzstan and extending as far as Europe.

Phase D: AK JOL – Open Road – Documentary

Phase D is a documentary titled „AK JOL – Open Road,“ directed by Louise Amelie in collaboration with Kyrgyz creatives. This documentary delves into the term „Ak Jol,“ which translates to „white road“ but also conveys meanings of safe travels and good journeys, exploring its significance within the context of Kyrgyz culture. It examines the theme of movement from various perspectives, reflecting on the team’s journey over several years, the rich tradition of Kyrgyz nomadism, and the societal implications of globalization and migration.

The concept of „Ak Jol“ will be visually reinterpreted and abstracted to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of movement. The documentary highlights the positive aspirations of the Kyrgyz people associated with this term, showcasing their resilience and hopes for the future. In our modern world of change, the values of Kyrgyz nomadism may serve as a democratic and humane support system.

By presenting this project on an international stage, it aims to foster greater understanding and appreciation for Kyrgyz culture and its narratives, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of identity and movement in today’s world.

Main Goal: Unite Through Art

We aim to form and strengthen a transnational network of contemporary art practitioners—artists, scholars, and activists—who harness the power of modern visual arts and traditional culture to promote ethical human values and principles of socially just development.

„Wherever we are, humanity moves, striving for new places and new opportunities.
The expansion of our inner world and our understanding will undoubtedly guide us.“

CHINGHIZ AITMATOV:
The Nomads (1989)