Almaty City Day is marked by a gallery exhibition titled "Almaty - Portrayed on Film".
Taking a Stroll Down Memory Lane with Street Photography: Get Set for City Day, Almaty Gallery unveils a monochrome photography exhibition showcasing the city through the lens of two modern photographers. The event was jointly organized by Almaty's city council and the Eurasian Cultural Alliance, as announced by Almaty.tv.
The tale of these grayscale images traces back to 1956 when Almaty-based photographer Alim Khaydarov was merely 12. Roaming the city streets, he froze the face of the old city in time.
"The city, no doubt, expanded and modernized. It's morphed into a sprawling metropolis, yet I lament the intrusion of this metropolis into the city center. The quaint, vintage Almaty, a treasure for future generations, especially the buildings from the 50s — they're still standing strong, and they ought to have been preserved for us," expressed photographer Alim Khaydarov.
Prior to City Day, a shutterbug teamed up with artist Bauyrzhan Sabitov to dish out a series of pictures merging yesteryears Almaty with the present-day metropolis for public consumption. Titled "Almaty - Black and White Chronicles," the exhibition is essentially a conversation between two street photographers. Their works resonate with a common thread and a profound affection for their hometown.
Almaty residents can savor the exhibitions until October 4 at the State Art Gallery - Almaty Gallery. Interestingly, this is one of the few offline events given the green light to proceed.
"In total, 166 online events are lined up and underway. These comprise exhibitions, workshops, concerts — four concerts are being edited for online viewing, online exhibitions, competitions, and even a puppet theater performance dedicated to Shamshi Kaldayakov," highlighted Nailya Mulukova, acting head of the city's Culture Department.
Late last month, online exhibitions "A Thousand Faces of Almaty" were staged on the official social media pages of the Sabit Mukanov and Gabit Musrepov museums. Staff of the literary-memorial complex shared exclusive city shots gleaned from their personal archives with the citizens.
Looking Ahead: Developing a Monochrome Photography Exhibition for AlmatyAn exhibition dedicated to Almaty's history and transformation through monochrome street photography could be a compelling means to chronicle the city's growth and cultural evolution. Street photography holds the power to offer unadulterated, real-life perspectives on urban life, tracking changes over time.
Almaty and PhotographyAs a city rich in history and culture, Almaty makes an apt subject for photography. Street photography can capture iconic landmarks, everyday life scenes, and historical events, shedding light on the city's development from a unique angle.
Potential Themes- Historical Landmarks: Focus on timeless structures such as the Green Market, Zenkov Cathedral, and the Almaty Mountains.- Cultural Events: Depict festivals, parades, and traditional gatherings.- Daily Life: Illustrate the day-to-day activities of residents, showcasing markets, transportation, and work environments.- Urban Transformation: Highlight shifts in architecture, infrastructure, and city planning over the years.
Building the Exhibition1. Image Selection: Amass monochrome photographs from local and international photographers who have documented Almaty over the years.2. Themes and Storytelling: Organize the exhibition around narratives of urban growth, cultural evolution, and social changes.3. Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborate with local art galleries, photography clubs, or cultural institutions for support and resources.4. Educational Elements: Incorporate workshops or talks to engage visitors and educate them about photography techniques and the history of Almaty.
Examples of Similar ProjectsProjects like the "Beyond the Silence" exhibition, featuring photography from various countries, demonstrate the potential of photography to explore profound themes and stimulate dialogue about societal and historical matters[4]. An exhibition focusing on Almaty could inspire dialogue about the city's history and transformation.
If you're planning to develop such an exhibition, researching local photography clubs or art galleries in Almaty could offer valuable insights and resources.
- The photographs at the exhibition "Almaty - Black and White Chronicles" provide a glimpse of the city's past and present, bridging the gap between the two eras.
- This monochrome photography exhibition highlights photographer Alim Khaydarov's captures of Almaty, hoping to preserve the charm of the old city amidst the metropolis.
- The upcoming monochrome photography exhibition aims to document Almaty's growth and cultural evolution, focusing on themes like historical landmarks, daily life, urban transformation, and cultural events.
- As Almaty evolves from a city to a metropolis, monochrome photography can offer a unique perspective into its history and lifestyle, calling for an exhibition that showcases its home-and-garden aspects and cityscape as well.
