[Other-stan]
Other-stan stands as an immersive installation, boasting up to five mirroring surfaces and a projecting screen—whether it be a direct visualization on a lightning screen (LED or similar) or a wall projection. The projection itself unfolds as a captivating dance of light, presenting a dynamic, ever-changing image. This visual spectacle is not merely a collection of images but a deliberate fusion of symbols and colors meticulously curated from various facets of Uzbek culture—national clothing, dishes, furniture, and architectural marvels.
Within the realm of this project, these symbols undergo a fascinating transformation facilitated by the real-time capabilities of TouchDesigner software. They are randomized, deconstructed, and reconstructed, creating a vibrant and dynamic moving aerial display that invites the viewer to explore and perceive the evolving forms in real-time.
Beyond its visual allure, Other-stan serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the Western perception of ‘-stans,’ shedding light on how the region’s perceived ‘superficially empty’ identity reemerges as seemingly meaningless representative figures. The generated patterns, captivating to the eye, intentionally blur the context and value, mirroring the misrepresentation prevalent across all ‘-stans.’
CENTRAL ASIA, STEEPED IN DIVERSITY, COLORS, HISTORY, AND CONTEXT, FACES A UNIQUE PORTRAYAL IN THE INSTALLATION. SHAPED BY SOVIET COLONIZATION, THE REGION OFTEN APPEARS AS A BRIGHT DESERT OF SQUIGGLES, ARCHES, AND ABSTRACT FLORALS THROUGH THE WESTERN LENS. THE SYMBOLS EMBEDDED IN THE EASTERN STYLE NOT ONLY CAPTURE ATTENTION VISUALLY BUT CARRY PROFOUND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, DISTINGUISHING VILLAGERS BASED ON REGION, COMMUNE, AND SOCIETAL STATUS.
FOR THE WESTERN EYE, THE NUANCED CONTEXT OFTEN ELUDES UNDERSTANDING, PERPETUATING A SIMPLIFIED VIEW THAT AMALGAMATES DIVERSE COUNTRIES UNDER THE UMBRELLA TERM ‘ASIA.’ THIS COLLECTIVE TERM HAS CONTRIBUTED TO WIDESPREAD MISEDUCATION ABOUT THE TRUE COMPLEXITY OF THE VAST CONTINENT, REACHING FAR BEYOND THE COMMONLY HELD PERCEPTION FROM TURKEY TO JAPAN.
