Afghanistan, Images From An Era Of Peace
Opening Event May 8th, 2010
Running through July 3rd, 2010
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom
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.
Khaled Hosseini
March 2010
Author of two best-selling novels of Afghanistan:
The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns
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, I visited Afghanistan in the early 1970s. Afghanistan, Images From An Era Of Peace is the resulting exhibition and offers visitors a valuable record of what life in Afghanistan was like more than 30 years ago--a contrasting view to what has become the stereotypical press imagery: black-turbaned, gun-wielding thugs.
Through these (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.
I am pleased to announce my association with ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC. As one of the leading traveling photo exhibition organizations, ArtVision will manage all aspects of the exhibition in the US and abroad. For complete exhibition details please visit the ArtVisions website at: http://www.artvisionexhibitions.com/Afghanistan-AnEraofPeace.html
Those who wish more information should contact Victoria A. Rehberg: Tel (561) 883-2145
or by email at: vrehberg@artvisionexhibitions.com.
March 21 - April 26, 2009
The San Jose Repertory Theatre
San Jose, California
Accompanying the stage premiere of The Kite Runner
A novel by Khaled Hosseini
Adapted for the stage by
Matthew Spangler
50 Black and White Images
October 11, 2008 – January 25, 2009
The San Francisco Public Library
Skylight Gallery
San Francisco, California 94102
50 Black and White Images
April 12 - 18, 2008
Ransom Everglades School
Coconut Grove, Florida
32 Black and White Images
March 10 – August 26, 2007
Miami-Dade County Public Library
Miami, Florida
Art at the Public Library
40 Black and White Images
February 2 – 28, 2005
Gallery at Books and Books
Coral Gables, Florida
28 Black and White Images
Copyright © 1970–2009 Joseph Hoyt.
All rights reserved.