The Society of Afghan Professionals hosted "The Endangered Art of Afghanistan" on Aug. 4, 2001 in Palo Alto, Calif. The Society of Afghan Professionals is a non-profit organization operating out of the Bay Area.

The art exhibit displayed contemporary art to the Afghan and US community. The exhibit hosted 15 artists and over 70 pieces ranging from watercolor to photography.

The acclaimed artist, creator and curator of the National Afghan Contemporary Museum of Modern Art, Youssef Kohzad, displayed 10 of his recent works. His watercolor rendition of the giant Buddha was the center of the attraction. Kohzad stated, "We are working for our nation and our nation's culture."

For the past 10 years, art in Afghanistan has been in complete danger due to civil or proxy war. With the Mujahideen take-over of Kabul in the early 1990s, Afghan National Museum, which houses the most diverse collection of ancient artwork in Afghanistan, was plundered. Most of the collection found its way into the international black-market. But the destruction did not end there.

With the following conquest of the Taliban regime, the Afghan museums and private art collections became further at risk. The Taliban deemed the artwork un-Islamic. Most famous in the demolishing rampage is the bombing of the colossal Bamiyan Buddhas. Afghanistan, once the center of the Buddhist world, was home to the world's tallest Buddhist statues for 1,600 years before the Taliban's assault.

Contemporary art was also in danger of extinction. The National Contemporary Museum of Modern Art in Kabul, holding over 700 art pieces with some dating back over 100 years, was pillaged.

The Palo Alto event also brought a touch of nostalgia. Artist Latifa Alamzai stated, "This show reminds me of the peaceful times in Afghanistan."

A young female attendee said, "I am amazed by all the art work. I was really touched to see something like this from the Afghan community because I have never seen anything like this before."

In addition to the artwork, the exhibit showcased Afghan music.

The notable Afghan composer and pianist, Kabir Howaida, gave a detailed English lecture on the basics of Afghan music. Howaida played a number of regional and folk melodies on grand piano and then continued with 1960s-70s selections of popular Kabuli music. The musical segment was an attribute to the endangered musical arts in Afghanistan, where the current regime has placed an absolute ban on all musical forms.

Overall, the event echoed a sense of importance and understanding of Afghan art. Over 400 people attended the exhibit and left with a sense of curiosity to learn more about Afghanistan's artistic riches. |