Founded in 2006 at the request of the Prince of Wales and the president of Afghanistan, Turquoise Mountain has trained new generations of Afghan artisans in an effort to revitalize the nation’s cultural heritage and empower a new class of skilled workers. Turquoise Mountain has provided training in several different types of traditional Afghan crafts, including calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry, and woodwork.
Since its inception, the organization has had a major impact on the Murad Khani district of Old Kabul. Formerly an area characterized by slum conditions, the district now serves as a cultural center for the city and generates a significant income. The income produced by Turquoise Mountain has led to a new medical clinic and primary school, as well as the reconstruction of important infrastructure.
In an effort to celebrate Afghan culture and honor the transformative work of Turquoise Mountain, the Freer and Sackler Galleries, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., will introduce a new exhibit next year. Called “Turquoise Mountain: Art and Transformation in Afghanistan,” the exhibit aims to recreate a visit to Old Kabul. The massive installation has transformed gallery space into an Afghan caravanserai, a traditional type of roadside inn typically enclosed in a square or rectangular building with an open-air courtyard in the center. Visitors will encounter artisan stalls, large-scale photographs, and other elements to immerse them in the experience.
In addition to viewing some of the wonderful work created through the Turquoise Mountain project, visitors will have the chance to meet and interact with artisans visiting directly from Murad Khani. These individuals will offer first-hand demonstrations of their crafts and share their stories.
Afghanistan’s geographic location along the crossroads of the Eurasian continent has allowed the country to adopt cultural elements from a variety of different peoples, while forging its own distinct artistic voice. People will notice similar elements in Afghan art and in works produced in India, Persia, and other areas of Central Asia. The Smithsonian hopes the exhibit will allow Americans and others who visit the galleries to learn more about the Afghanistan’s rich artistic traditions and culture.