Almaty City Exploration by Spanish Artist Unveiled as Vibrant Archive Insight
In the heart of Kazakhstan, Almaty is set to become the focal point of a unique artistic exploration. Spanish contemporary artist Juan Saliquet has been chosen as the featured artist for the 2025 Art Residency Program, which will see him delve into the city's rich tapestry of memories and architecture.
Entitled "Archaeology of a City," Saliquet's project aims to portray Almaty not merely as a backdrop but as an active protagonist in a complex, layered narrative. The residency, a collaborative effort between the Embassy of Spain in Kazakhstan and Esentai Gallery, invites the public to perceive the city through a new lens, considering its architecture, light, silence, and stories as integral elements of its identity.
From June to July, Saliquet will immerse himself in urban research, walking the streets of Almaty and engaging deeply with its textures and forms to understand its physical and emotional layers. This phase will serve as the foundation for his project, linking personal memory with public space to reveal unfinished and layered narratives of identity and place.
In August, Saliquet will collaborate with local creatives and cultural practitioners, fostering cross-cultural artistic exchange and creating a dialogue between his work and the local community. This collaboration will further enrich his understanding of Almaty and provide a unique perspective on the city's urban identity.
The residency will culminate in a public exhibition in September at Esentai Gallery, showcasing the outcomes of this interaction between the city as an external landscape and the artist's internal experience. The exhibition will offer a reflection on layered, unfinished narratives formed by architecture, light, silence, and stories in Almaty.
Juan Saliquet is no stranger to Kazakhstan's art scene, having exhibited his work in Almaty multiple times before. His previous exhibitions include performances and exhibitions such as "The Skin I Dress" (2017), a performance at the Green Bazaar (2022), and "The Almaty Trilogy" (2023).
The 2025 Art Residency Program continues this dialogue between Saliquet and Kazakhstan's art scene, positioning Almaty itself as a living archive intertwined with personal and collective memory. Throughout the development of the project, updates and interactions with the local community will be shared publicly, emphasising the program's commitment to public engagement.
In summary, Juan Saliquet's "Archaeology of a City" within the 2025 Art Residency Program is a profound exploration of Almaty’s urban identity, realised through research, local collaboration, and public exhibition. The city itself serves as a mirror for internal experiences, offering a unique opportunity for urban introspection and cross-cultural artistic exchange.
During the 2025 Art Residency Program, Juan Saliquet's project, titled "Archaeology of a City," will extend beyond home-and-garden and travel boundaries, delving into Almaty's rich urban identity. The exploration will encompass not only the city's architecture but also its light, silence, and stories, transforming Almaty into a dynamic protagonist of a complex narrative.
