What does life in the highlands of Central Asia look like today? How do the people of this region express their sense of identity, continuity and belonging in the face of historical, cultural and economic changes? How can we, as Western audiences, gain a deeper understanding of their living history and reality?

These are some of the questions that the exhibition ASIA Inside Out aims to explore through the eyes of two local documentary photographers who focus on capturing life in the remote, mountainous regions of Central Asia. The exhibition is part of Asia Week at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with IMMART, a non-profit organization which promotes intercultural dialogue through the arts. 

The photographs in the exhibition are by Guliza Urustambek kyzy and Danil Usmanov, two young photojournalists from Kyrgyzstan. Each of them offers a unique perspective on the places and people they are most familiar with, revealing aspects of everyday life, historical background and current reality that are virtually invisible or unknown in Northern Europe.

Guliza and Danil belong to the same generation as the students at the university hosting the exhibition. Their works reflect their view of their own historical and cultural heritage, as well as the aspirations and challenges they expose. Their photos capture the nostalgia towards the Soviet era, the complexities of Muslim religion and culture, and the impact of modernization and tourism on their communities.

Guliza and Danil’s patchwork of images give a glimpse into the historical complexities and contemporary dynamics of Central Asia. Their photos invite audiences to engage in a dialogue with a region that is both geographically and culturally very remote—to the point of seeming surreal. Through the eyes of these two local photographers, viewers are given the opportunity to overcome that distance by seeing this world as a tangible reality worth exploring further.