Afghanistan: Images from an Era of Peace is the newest traveling exhibition circulated by ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC, courtesy of photographer Joseph Hoyt
The exhibition photographs offer a glimpse of a land that was once a meeting point of cultures, a link between east and west, capturing the raw, ethereal beauty of the land, a taste of its prosperous history and the unique spirit of its resilient people.
Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) August 4, 2010
Afghanistan: Images from an Era of Peace, is the newest traveling exhibit circulated by ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC of Boca Raton, FL. Courtesy of photographer and author, Joseph Hoyt, the exhibition, recently on loan to the prestigious Coventry Cathedral, United Kingdom is now available to museums and university galleries for worldwide touring.
Nearly every day we are exposed to images of the people, landscapes and everyday life in Afghanistan. The world's press focuses its lens on the turmoil and despair of the ongoing tragedy that has been unfolding there for the past thirty years to remind us of the importance of saving Afghanistan from the forces intent on its dominance or destruction. As a young traveler, Joseph Hoyt visited Afghanistan in the early 1970s. Afghanistan: Images from an Era of Peace is the resulting exhibition and offers a valuable record of what life in Afghanistan was like more than 35 years ago--a contrasting view to what has become the stereotypical press imagery: black-turbaned thugs and gun-wielding terrorists.
"Through (50) powerful black and white images and historic artifacts, we discover the fascinating history of the once peaceful Afghanistan--its people, landscapes and ancient ruins in a poor but culturally and historically rich nation," said Victoria Ann Rehberg, president of ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC. Artifacts include: Three 3rd - 5th Century Buddha sculptures, a rare five-sided woolen pile Nomad bag known as an “Ok Bosh,” an embroidered silk on linen bridal bed cover known as a “Suzanni,” a 19th Century Turkoman prayer rug known as a "Hatchlou Engsi," an authentic Afghan Pakol hat, and other historic objects of interest.
"For years now, Afghanistan has become synonymous with the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and terrorism. But it wasn’t always so. For most of the previous century, Afghanistan lived in peaceful anonymity. It was a magnet for travelers who came to see the rugged beauty of the land, to walk along the old Silk Route, and to meet its kind and hospitable people. Joseph Hoyt’s lens gloriously brings back this bygone Afghanistan. In his photos, we get a glimpse of a land that was once a meeting point of cultures, a link between east and west. He captures the raw, ethereal beauty of this land, a taste of its prosperous history, and the unique spirit of its proud and resilient people. What’s more, looking at Hoyt’s photographs of this happier era, the suffering and tumult that the Afghan people have endured since is made more personal. The toll of the tragedy becomes palpable. This is testament to Hoyt’s skills as a photographer as well as his personal affection for this war-scarred land and its people," said Khaled Hosseini, author of two best-selling novels of Afghanistan: The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
A Limited Edition Collector's Portfolio (Edition 1/20) consisting of 12 exhibition photographs was presented to humanitarian Greg Mortenson, author of the best selling book Three Cups of Tea, by The American Place Theatre during their 2010 Literature To Life Award Gala in New York, where Edition 2/20 was sold at auction by Christie's for $3,000. Editions 5 - 20 are available for purchase by photography collectors and a large format, Institutional Portfolio of 22 exhibition photographs is available for museum and library permanent collections. A portion of the proceeds benefit Afghan Relief Agencies.
Personalized, signed copies of Hoyt's book, Afghanistan 1970 - 1975: Images From an Era of Peace, (ISBN 978-0-615-24037-4) featuring the 50 exhibition photographs and photographer's comments, can be ordered directly from the author at http://www.imagesofafghanistan.com/thebook.html.
To reserve the exhibition and/or purchase the portfolio, please contact Victoria A. Rehberg at ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC.
# # #
