Kabul was once famous for being a city of blossoming gardens. Today our perception of the Afghan capital is dominated by images of suffering and destruction. Considering Kabul’s gardens as part of its cultural heritage, Afghan and non-Afghan artists reflect on a different Kabul, without ignoring the crises of the past and present.

The garden is a recurring theme in the works shown. It is a living space, an oasis, a space for community dialogue; it relates to a greater cultural context and a collective history. Essays on the gardens of Kabul, on the garden as a symbol of generosity and friendship, as well as a personal narrative about a garden near Tehran complement this forward-looking presentation. “The Other Kabul” is a future place that could exist anywhere in the world and is thus accessible to anyone.

Artists:

Baqer Ahmadi, Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai, Latifa Zafar Attaii, Iftikhar Dadi & Elizabeth Dadi, Parastou Forouhar, Jeanno Gaussi, Monica Ursina Jager, Kubra Khademi, Yerbossyn Meldibekov, Almagul Menlibayeva, Ursula Palla, Pieter Paul Pothoven, Neda Razavipour, Chantal Romani, Necla Ruzgar, Shahida Shaygan, Mohsin Taasha Wahidi