A Stans Diary

In this article, journalist Eleanor Heartney takes a trip to Central Asia, mainly the country
of Uzbekistan. While visiting and giving lectures, she learned about art and how restricted it is in
this medieval country. Led by corrupt president Islam Karimov, citizens have no knowledge of
how censored everything they learn about and have access to is. Ilkhom Theater founded by
American-born stage director Mark Weil is the only art foundation that has evaded political
censorship. The theater has had many trials and dangers. Mark Weil was fatally stabbed by three
radical Islamists, but the company still pushes forward, a bright light in a dark country. Eleanor
Heartney also met with popular artists around the country and they also have had many, many
struggles they have endured with their art. They have also kept going, seeing a bigger picture,
wanting to provide a future for some citizens in this country.
In this article I learned that Stans have little to no impact on the modern art world
today. They are completely restricted and have no freedom to express their creativity, even
though they find ways to cope. They are challenged to create their culture in a post-Soviet
controlled world. Eleanor Heartney states that emerging artists have either two options: to return
to traditions erased by the Soviets, or accept the global world they have been cut off from for 70
years. I learned that I am truly blessed to live in a society where I can freely express myself and
influence those around me.

Reference:

Heartney, E. (2011, February). A stan diary. Art in America, 2, 45-50.