Hanging over Kabul are the consequences of a lingering war, with the risk of its abstract and pervasive atmosphere erasing and smudging the contours of everything else.

But what about the people living in a country at war—the ones who are not numbered among the killed or wounded in terrorist attacks or intelligent missile strikes? What about their thoughts and emotions, their expressive urge to carry on imagining and dreaming?

Luckily, life in Kabul continues despite the conflict, and the struggle to maintain a sense of normality is one of those stories that are rarely told by the press. A war-torn nation’s artistic output and creative experimentation offer one way of exploring these silent stories. They reveal the glimmer of a more positive side and help to reflect on human resilience and the capacity, despite everything, to preserve space for thought and hope. This can be seen in Kabul, if only one digs beneath the surface of its rubble.

The city’s creative scene is still in an embryonic stage, however it is beginning to move in many different directions, where “culture” and creative practices make it possible to design or imagine alternative ways to the future.

Culture and creative practices are two sides of the same coin, providing tools to interpret the roles played in a complex geopolitical scene. In that context, ideas about cultural heritage, contemporary art and creativity assume a relevance beyond plain aesthetics.

International investments in culture (from archaeology to crafts and support for young artists) are an indirect and extremely interesting way to aid the reconstruction of a country, consolidating the present as well as rethinking the foundations for the future.

(text courtesy of Francesca Recchia) Go to Slide Show Go to Light Table

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Traditional Afghan instruments maker in his shop in central Kabul.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: A young painter at work at the "Centre for Contemporary Arts Afghanistan". This organization promote art and culture among women.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Cultural association "Rosht" organized a street art workshop on these "legal" walls in the outskirts of Kabul.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Fahim Bash, a traditional Afghan musician rehearse in his shop. All the musician shop are close to a road called Koche Kharabat, the ancient road of the musicias.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Group rehearsal at the Afghan National Institute of music.
  Mostly attended by orphans, it opened during the Russian invasion and then was destroyed during the civil war and the Taliban regime.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Amanullah Mojadidi,
  contemporary artist, work at the preparation of an exhibition that will take place in Paris, in his studio in central Kabul.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, June 2011: White Page perform live at Table Talk restaurant.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, June 2011: District Unknown perform live at Table Talk restaurant.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, June 2011: District Unknown perform live at Table Talk restaurant.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: A calligraphy student works at the "Turquoise Mountain" school of art, located in the old city. This organization restored some buildings of the old city and turned them into a school.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: A pottery student works at the "Turquoise Mountain" school of art, located in the old city. This organization restored some buildings of the old city and turned them into a school.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Group rehearsal at the Afghan National Institute of music.
  Mostly attended by orphans, it opened during the Russian invasion and then was destroyed during the civil war and the Taliban regime.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, December 2011: Inside view of Rahim Walizada’s private house in the outskirts of Kabul. Rahim Walizada is a Afghan designer of carpets and interiors.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, August 2010: Designer Zolaykha Sherzad pose for a portrait in her studio in central Kabul.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: Visitors at an exhibition at the restaurant "Design Centre" in Kabul.
  Rahim Walizada, mostly a designer of carpets and interiors, designed and build the restaurant and curate the interior design.

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  Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2011: American cello player Robin Ryczek, improvise a jam session with two traditional Afghan musician at the Design Center restaurant. The band will then be called "Sound studies".