Uzbekistan has been repeatedly showing the world its unique customs, rich history, and culture through its appearances at various international events and exhibitions. This time, the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan was opened at the Sharjah Architecture Triennial 2023 along with the other countries’ pavilions.
The presentation of the “Tashkent: Mastering Modernism” project took place here, which involves studying the influence of modernism on the architecture of the capital. Three buildings built in the mid-70s – the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, the Samarkand teahouse, and the Zarafshan restaurant – were included in a series of major events held in Milan and Tashkent as part of the heritage conservation research project “Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI”.
Project coordinator Wael Al Awar, an architect and co-founder of the Waiwai Bureau, which has offices in Tokyo and Dubai, explained why these three buildings attracted him. They were built in 1974-1976, became the property of the city, and over the past decades have changed. This means that the goal is to discuss the continuity chain connecting history and the future, the traditions of architecture and modernism.
The pavilion allows visitors to observe characteristic architectural elements common to these three buildings. The appearance of each structure, their original appearance, and condition after changes in the facade and interior design are presented.
Tashkent artist, designer, and architect Anakhit Qayumova shared her views and unique works of art. Foreign experts highly appreciated her works.
The “Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI” research project calls on people to be more careful and preserve our architectural heritage. Visitors to the pavilion can learn interesting historical information and visit a rich exposition of 26 countries.
The exhibition opened on November 11, 2023, and will run until March 10, 2024. In our following reports, we will try to provide new information about the presentation of our historical buildings and record the opinions and suggestions of foreign tourists and specialists.