“Prayer of a Thousand Horse Riders”

Aspan Gallery is happy to present Said Atabekov's first solo show in the gallery "Prayer of a Thousand Horse Riders" opening on Thursday 28 November.

The exhibition will bring together new installations, photographs and videos dedicated to the deep and multi-layered symbolism of Kokpar, a traditional Kazakh horse game that embodies the spirit of the steppe.

The central element of the exhibition will be an installation created from carpets, photographs and items found on the ground after Kokpar: saddles, horseshoes and bridles. These artifacts, which have been tested by Kokpar, embody the energy, strength and spirit of the participants. The exhibition is complemented by two series of photographs. The first, “Prayer of a Thousand Horse Riders” captures moments of prayer between players and their horses before the game begins, creating an atmosphere of unity and concentration. The second series, “Steppen Wolves,” presents a chronicle collected by Said Atabekov over several years. These photographs reveal the identity of the Kokpar players through the details of their equipment, emphasizing their connection to tradition, the desire for strength and energy — integral components of the game.

The exhibition concludes with the video “Prayer of a Thousand Horse Riders”, dedicated to the wives of Kokpar players. This is a subtle exploration of the daily lives and roles of women who support the players while remaining behind the scenes of the dangerous game. The video draws attention to their daily routines, expectations, and contribution to maintaining family and cultural values. The exhibition “Prayer of a Thousand Horse Riders” raises questions of collective memory, the interaction between tradition and modernity, and the power of communities in the context of changing cultural identity. Said Atabekov creates a space for reflection on the past, present, and future, exploring the subtle facets of national identity.

About the artist

Said Atabekov is one of Kazakhstan's leading contemporary artists, whose work explores the intersection of tradition and modernity in Central Asia. Born in 1965 in Shymkent, Atabekov is one of the founders of the "Kyzyl Traktor'' art group in Shymkent, renowned for its conceptual projects that address the region's cultural heritage through the prism of contemporary art. In his practice, the artist uses photography, video, installation, and performance, exploring themes of national identity, collective memory, and social transformation. Recent exhibitions include: Bamako Encounters (2024), Bamako, The Missing Planet at Centro per l’arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci, Prato (2019), Thinking Collections, Telling Tales at MANA Contemporary, New Jersey (2018), Eurasian Utopia: Post Scriptum at Suwon I’Park Museum of Art, Suwon, (2018), Suns and Neons above Kazakhstan at Yarat, Baku (2017).

Exhibition dates: 28 November 2024 — 26 January 2025

Thursday, November 28 | 18:00 — Exhibition opening

Saturday, November 30 | 16:00 - exhibition tour with the artist

Opening hours:

Tuesday — Saturday: 11 am - 7 pm

Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm

Adress: Villa Boutiques & Restaurants, 140 A/3 Al Farabi, lower ground floor. Free entrance.