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Afghanistan: A Timeless History
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On view through February 9, 2003 at the Audrey Jones Beck Building
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Afghanistan, Hadda, monastery of Tapa-Kalan, Head of Buddha, 3rd-4th century, EX.2002.AF.56
Musée national des arts asiatiques (MNAA)-Guimet
The tragic events of last September 11 dramatically changed the context of the exhibition. Its opening in Barcelona occurred just three weeks later, when the days of the Taliban rule were numbered. This past February, the exhibition traveled to Paris, where the works became symbols of the cultural revival of Afghanistan. Thanks to a new partnership between the Musée des Arts Asiatiques—Guimet in Paris and the MFAH, a modified version of the exhibition is being mounted in Houston.
The Musée Guimet and Afghanistan are linked by history. The French Archaeological Delegation to Afghanistan (DAFA) was created by a famous Indologist, Alfred Foucher, in 1922 at the request of the King of Afghanistan. This request was part of a larger plan that entrusted the French with the establishment of a modern educational system in Afghanistan. According to the 1922 agreement, the archaeological finds of the DAFA—which enjoyed a monopoly for conducting excavations until World War II—were divided at the end of the field campaigns between the Kabul Museum and the Musée Guimet. Prior to the looting of the Kabul Museum, these two museums housed complementary collections.
Afghanistan: A Timeless History provides an excellent overview of ancient Afghanistan art, from prehistory to Islamic periods in the first millennium. The 110 works exhibited are revelations, dispelling the notion that Afghanistan art is merely a melding of cultural influences from other major civilizations.
This exhibition is organized by the Fundación "la Caixa", Barcelona and the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, Paris with the assistance of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux.
Generous funding is provided by Mr. and Mrs. Russell M. Frankel and Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Simmons.
Related Events:
Afghanistan: A Timeless History 3-Part Lecture Series
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Saturday, January 11, 2003 5:00 PM
Saturday, January 18, 2003 5:00 PM
Saturday, January 25, 2003 5:00 PM
Artful Thursday
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Thursday, January 16, 2003 6:00 PM
Asia Society Lecture
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Saturday, February 15, 2003 2:00 PM
Creation Station: Carpets and Caravans
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Sunday, January 26, 2003 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Creation Station: Kites
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Sunday, January 19, 2003 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Creation Station: Wire Bird Cages
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Sunday, January 5, 2003 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Drop-In Tour: Afghanistan: A Timeless History
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Thursday, January 9, 2003 12:00 PM
Thursday, January 16, 2003 12:00 PM
Thursday, January 23, 2003 12:00 PM
Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:00 PM
Drop-In Tour: Afghanistan: A Timeless History
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Thursday, January 9, 2003 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 16, 2003 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 23, 2003 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 30, 2003 7:30 PM
Drop-In Tour: Afghanistan: A Timeless History
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Saturday, December 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Saturday, December 14, 2002 12:00 PM
Saturday, December 21, 2002 12:00 PM
Family Day: Discover Afghanistan!
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Sunday, January 12, 2003 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday Morning Lecture
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Friday, December 6, 2002 10:00 AM
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