"The Book — The Medium"

Aspan Gallery presents “The Book — The Medium”, as the first chapter of a research project by Alen Lee examining the book as a vital part of Kazakhstan’s visual culture.

The exhibition focuses on the period from 1965 to 1991, a time when book graphics, illustration, and design in Kazakhstan experienced a remarkable flourishing. Bringing together books, archival materials, and artworks from the late Soviet era, the project features works by Maqum Kisamedinov, Boris Pak, Salikhitdin Aytbayev, Yevgeniy Sidorkin, Qadyrbek Kа́metov, and other prominent artists.

Many of the works will be presented in an exhibition format for the first time, including prints by Tabyldy Mukatov, sketches by Isatay Issabayev, illustrations by Alimkhan Smagulov, as well as rare archival materials drawn from ten private collections.

The exhibition places particular emphasis on the book itself as a visual object — not only on the text it contains, but on its graphic language, design, material form, and the experience of engaging with it.

Conceived as a hybrid between an exhibition and a reading room, the project invites visitors to engage directly with books and archival materials, recreating the intimate experience of discovering a meaningful book by chance.

Exhibition dates: 17 June – 30 August 2026

Wednesday, 17 June | 6 pm - 8 pm - Exhibition Opening, Aspan Gallery

Opening hours:

Tue-Sat: 11 am - 7 pm

Sun: 12 pm - 6 pm

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