The Hidden Arts of Afghanistan

Lapis Events & Afghan Communicator Present
The Hidden Arts of Afghanistan

Lapis Events (http://www.lapisevents.com) and Afghan Communicator (http://www.afghancommunicator.com) are hosting an Afghan Art Exhibit in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, August 17th, 2008 in Palo Alto, California. The one-day exhibit will present recent art work produced by some of the most talented Afghan Artists living inside Afghanistan and in exile around the world, a showcase of traditional and contemporary Afghan jewelry, clothing and textiles as well as a live instrumental Afghan music performance. The Exhibit will be held at the Pacific Art League Gallery (668 Ramona Street) located two blocks east of University Avenue between Hamilton Avenue and Forest Avenue. Gallery hours are from 12:00 - 8:00 PM.

Afghanistan has been ravaged by three decades of war and as a result, much of its physical heritage is either completely destroyed or has fallen in severe disrepair. While the war destroyed the small but growing Afghan art rebirth of 1970’s, the Taliban dealt the last blow by declaring art not only a crime (against the state) but also a sin (against God). Only a handful of artists, chancing their lives, kept practicing the ancient traditions passed down to them. War killed or mimed many people and made others internally displaced or refugees outside Afghanistan. The trauma and psychological effects of war and wandering country to country has left only a few masters remaining and even fewer still successfully practice their craft.

Historically, Afghanistan has made significant contributions to world heritage. Therefore, as both a national and international treasure, it becomes a duty for all of us to safeguard its cultural heritage. In light of little world attention being paid to Afghan culture, our commitment to the arts has intensified in the recent years. Cultivating invaluable connections with Afghan art institutions and artists, we are aiming to preserve Afghan culture.

About Lapis Events
Lapis Events is a full-service event management and production company specializing in event booking, design, production and promotion of services. One of our main objectives is to put together dynamic and socially conscious events in order to promote awareness of issues affecting Afghanistan and the Afghan communities around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.lapisevents.com

About Afghan Communicator
Afghan Communicator (AC) is a US based non-profit, community based, grass-root organization working tirelessly since 2004 to build a foundation and support system for the arts of Afghanistan. Working with Afghan artists and art organizations, AC is attempting to build capacity, encourage the creation of independent art organizations and collectives, exchange expertise between Afghanistan and abroad, research and catalog Afghan artists and art, explore markets for Afghan art in Afghanistan and abroad, promote Afghan art through exhibitions, encourage dialogue between artists and craftsmen, create forums for artists to express their vision and needs, educate people inside and outside Afghanistan about Afghan art and thus help establish art as a respectable and profitable profession.

Media Contacts:

Nilufar Shuja
1897 Abby Place
Manteca, CA 95336
(510) 584-7573
info [at] lapisevents.com

Rameen Javid
41-36 College Point Blvd, Suite 2A
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 445-6438
contact [at] afghancommunicator.com