DAVRA research group: Taming Waters and Women in Soviet Central Asia
DAVRA research group (Madina Joldybek, Zumrad Mirzalieva, Saodat Ismailova): Taming Waters and Women in Soviet Central Asia
The artist talk by DAVRA research group (Madina Joldybek, Zumrad Mirzalieva, Saodat Ismailova) explores the historical connections between inadequate water exploitation and female labor in Soviet-era Central Asia. Centered around the Great Fergana Canal and the Cotton Dance Paxta Raqsi, the discussion examines the intentional manipulation of both water resources and women for industrial ends, notably in cotton production. DAVRA research group's mission is to connect and develop the Central Asian art scene by fostering dynamic exchanges of experiences and knowledge within the region as a priority. The group was initiated in 2021 by Ismailova as an extension of her project “Chilltan” for documenta fifteen and since then they have been actively working both in Central Asia. The event is part of the DAVRA collective’s artistic residency, which takes place in 2023 as part of the Biennale Matter of Art project, organized by the tranzit.cz initiative. The tranzit.cz art residencies are supported by the City of Prague and ERSTE Foundation.
Zumrad Mirzalieva is a photographer and filmmaker from Uzbekistan. Her documentary short film, "Autonomy" was screened at documenta fifteen, and the GoEast film festival symposium in Wiesbaden. More recently, her new short documentary, "Tashkent 58-88," premiered at the Survival Kit 14 contemporary festival in Riga. Her documentary photography projects have been featured in publications like It’s Nice That, Azeema, and Ruyo. Zumrad holds a master’s degree in Social Innovation from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she explored the transformative role of art in driving positive social change. She is a member of the DAVRA research group.
Madina Joldybek is a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Kazakhstan based in London. Her practice revolves around themes of women's bodily integrity, multi-dimensional motherhood, decolonization, and authoritarian regimes. Madina employs various mediums such as illustration, weaving, sculpture, and installation in her work. Selected exhibitions and public programs showcasing her work include Asia NOW in Paris, W3 Gallery in London, Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile in Hong Kong, Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture in Almaty, documenta fifteen in Kassel, Kingshill House in Dursley, Slavs and Tatars' Pickle Bar in Berlin, Garage Museum. Joldybek has done commissions for openDemocracy, Front Line Defenders and OSCE. She is an active member of the DAVRA research group.
Saodat Ismailova is an Uzbek filmmaker and artist graduated from Tashkent State Art Institute in Uzbekistan and Le Fresnoy, National Studio of Contemporary Arts in France. Her films were presented in the Biennale of Venice, Berlinale IFF, Rotterdam IFF, etc. Works of Saodat Ismailova are in the collections of Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Centre Pompidou, Paris and Almaty Museum of Arts, Kazakhstan. In 2022 Saodat Ismailova participated in 59th Venice Biennale’s exhibition “Milk of Dreams” and presented new work at Documenta fifteen for which has also initiated Davra collective. In 2022, Ismailova received The Eye Art & Film Prize, Amsterdam.
Lecture was held at the following symposium in Prague:
MAKE VOICES BE HEARD
Decolonial reflections on power and racism
in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
December 15. and 16. 2023
Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague
Symposium program:
Introduction by Noemi Smolik and Adam Vackar
Madina Tlostanova, keynote
Joanna Warsza, keynote
Alexander Etkind, keynote
FATA Collective (Jeanna Kolesova, Keto Gorgadze)
DAVRA research group (M. Joldybek, Z. Mirzalieva, S. Ismailova)
Furqat Palvan-Zade
David Tišer
Alexandra Garmazhapova
Peter Kašpar/Denis Kozerawski
Roundtable moderated by Jörg Heiser
For some years now, questions of colonialism, its legacy and the way how to address this legacy have been central themes of contemporary art. It is noticeable that while artists and theoreticians from North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Arab countries are represented in exhibitions, symposia and debates on this topic, representatives from countries that were subject to the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union are simply not present.
The war in Ukraine has not only exposed Moscow's colonial claims but also revealed an ambivalent relationship between Western countries and those in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. While Western countries sought to address the security concerns arising from Moscow's colonial claims, insufficient attention was paid to the security, respect, and self-determination needs of these countries.