On September 3, the exhibition Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion opened at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Jointly organized by the Museum of Islamic Art and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), it aims to present Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic cultural heritage to the international community.
The exhibition consists of four themes. “Beyond the River” sets up the cultural context of the lands of Uzbekistan right before the Islamic conquest of Central Asia in the 8th century, demonstrating its status as a cosmopolitan crossroads already with a rich history. “Building Earth and Empire” concentrates on the historical built environment of Uzbekistan and highlights the cultural development of the Samanid and Timurid dynasties. “Architects of Thought and Image” presents many leaders of Islamic intellectualism who hailed from the lands within Uzbekistan’s borders, demonstrated through manuscripts and supported by interactive activities. “Legacies of Clay and Thread” showcases the development of traditional craft, including ceramics, dress and jewellery, and textile production—especially silk—through time and into the modern period.
Traditional craft remains vital to Uzbekistan’s vivid cultural fabric, a living legacy preserving practices and principles of an ancient past. Throughout the exhibition, connections will be made to the modern relevance of historical figures, materials and artistic principles. As modern Uzbekistan looks to its Islamic past, it draws upon its heritage to guide and inspire the direction of its future.
The exhibition will run until November 28.
Source: Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar