For Immediate release

Art and Conflicts in Central Asia

(Milwaukee) The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University is pleased to present Art and Conflicts in Central Asia, from October 19, 2006 through January 21, 2007. Valeria Ibraeva, co-curator of the exhibition and director of the Soros Center for Contemporary Art of Almaty (Kazakhstan), will present the opening lecture at 6 p.m. on October 19^th at the Haggerty Museum. A reception will follow from 7-8 p.m.

Art and Conflicts in Central Asia features provocative, contemporary art from a new generation of Central Asian artists. The exhibition focuses on issues of conflict in areas that have been Òhot spotsÓ of political unrest following the divide of the Soviet Union into European and Eastern states.

The featured work in Art and Conflicts in Central Asia comes from the eastern states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, artists from these areas have been able to express the complexities of their individual situations and that of their countries through art. The artists are working in a variety of mediums, relying heavily on video and photography as documentary tools.

Art and Conflicts in Central Asia will offer a rare opportunity to learn more about Central Asia, its history and people through contemporary art. A primary theme of the exhibition is how history impacts the cultural identity of societies emerging from a totalitarian government. Global economics, politics and the history of religions are some of the issues tackled by the featured artists.

The Haggerty Museum of Art is located at North 13th St. and West Clybourn Avenue on the campus of Marquette University. Museum hours are Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, 10 am-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 am-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.. Free parking is available in the Mary B. Finnigan Parking Lot (enter on 11th St. through Marquette Lot J). For more information call Brian Moore at (414) 288-1669.