The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation announces the participation of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the 60th International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia, running from April 20 to November 24, 2024. This year, the pavilion entitled “Don’t Miss the Cue” is curated for the first time by the Centre for Contemporary Art Tashkent, presenting the Uzbek artist Aziza Kadyri. The exhibition “Don’t Miss the Cue” will also feature a collaboration with Qizlar Collective, a Tashkent- based female artists group (the word qizlar means girls in Uzbek).

Resonating with the theme of the 60th International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere”, set forth by the curator Adriano Pedrosa, the exhibition “Don’t Miss the Cue” addresses issues of belonging and identity through the experiences of women from Central Asia, offering insight into how they navigate and redefine themselves in the migration process.

“For me personally, the collaborative aspect of the creative process is a key moment where women’s voices come together, representing various experiences — migration, transformation, and resilience. Together, we reinterpret ways of interacting with cultural and historical heritage, particularly textiles and costumes, traditionally associated with ‘female’ crafts — through the synthesis of art and technology as tools for exploring contemporary Uzbek identity,” says artist Aziza Kadyri.

The concept of the exhibition project “Don’t Miss the Cue” is directly related to the theme of the Biennale Arte 2024: entering the Pavilion in the Arsenale, visitors embark on a metaphorical journey that involves elements of participation and interaction with the installation. The project draws visitors into the deconstructed backstage of a theatre, reminiscent of the Houses of Culture that were located throughout Eurasia in the early 20th century.

The theatrical setting comes to life through sculptures that take inspiration from traditional costumes and textiles, complemented by audiovisual materials by Qizlar Collective. The project focuses on women’s stories, collective practices, and the complex relationships between the physical body and the surrounding world.

“It is extremely important for us to uncover the theme of women’s identities. The artistic meanings embedded in the project’s concept are reflected in both the exhibition and the catalogue, where we strive to provide space for women’s voices and experiences. Working together on the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan is an amazing and significant experience for the entire collective,” says Anastasia Sever, Executive Director and Coordinator of Qizlar Collective.

The exhibition also explores the interaction between technology and tradition. The characteristic Uzbek hand embroidery “suzani” is reinterpreted through artificial intelligence technology. Aziza Kadyri collaborated with suzani master Madina Kasimbaeva who transformed Aziza’s designs into textile art found in the curtains and embroideries.
“It is a great honour for me to participate in the work on the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan. I have been practicing embroidery for 25 years. During this time, over 500 female embroidery students have collaborated with me. I have dedicated my entire life to the concept of ‘female collectivity’. Embroidery is a task that cannot be undertaken alone. It requires a team, and in our case, a women’s team. Even in ancient times, when every girl embroidered her dowry, her relatives and friends assisted her. The work of a master is a continual pursuit. Aziza Kadyri and I exemplify the idea of female collectivity through embroidery. This is a highly engaging experience, one that I am confident will captivate visitors to the pavilion,” says embroiderer Madina Kasimbaeva.

The recognisable patterns of “suzani” processed by artificial intelligence undergo a virtual transformation and embody new meanings. This combination not only reinterprets traditional patterns but also highlights cultural changes in the modern world. As a result, visitors can better understand the impact of technology on culture and identity by going through all installations, rethinking their personal experience in the process. The National Pavilion of Uzbekistan was first presented at the Biennale Architettura 2021, with Uzbekistan also participating in the Biennale Arte 2022 and the Biennale Architettura in 2023.

Grandesso Federico