A ceremony was held at the Presidential Center to inaugurate the joint exhibition of Corresponding Member of the Academy of Arts of Kazakhstan, Honorary Member of the Union of Artists of Astana, Akzhan Ali, and renowned Austrian scholar, artist Dr. Gerald Florian Messner – "We Are Not Alone".
This vernissage is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan.
The exhibition "We Are Not Alone" represents an experiment where art serves as a language capable of expressing what cannot be conveyed in words. Each piece is a unique fragment of a mosaic that composes a unified picture of human experience.
“The idea for the joint exhibition with Gerald Florian Messner came about around three months ago. The goal is to showcase works by artists from different countries and generations. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to introduce visitors to cultural diversity and to feel the creative pursuits of the authors. Today’s event will be a chance for everyone to discover something new about themselves and the world at large,” shared Akzhan Ali.
Akzhan Toleubaykyzy Ali was born on September 5, 1979, in the village of Korgalzhyn, Akmolinsk region. Since 2021, she has been working as an art manager at the gallery of the Union of Artists in the capital and has participated in the organization and execution of over 40 exhibitions. The artist's works are held in private collections in Kazakhstan, Austria, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Morocco.
Dr. Gerald Florian Messner is a scholar, artist, musician, actor, and writer. He was born in 1937 in Austria, in Bad Eisenkappel. He graduated from the Pedagogical College in Klagenfurt (Austria), where he received his artistic education, and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (degree in performing arts), as well as Vienna University (Ph.D. in comparative musicology).
He has performed in major theaters in Berlin, Hamburg, Klagenfurt, Lucerne, and Vienna, as well as on radio, in film, and on television. Additionally, he writes poetry and composes music. In recent years, he has devoted more time to developing his visual art, creating numerous paintings and graphic works displayed in the UAE, Austria, China, and Kazakhstan. For Florian Messner, visual, literary, and performing arts, painting, and music are interconnected.
“The title 'We Are Not Alone' reflects a profound philosophical message, uniting two artists from different countries with diverse cultures and perspectives on life. Through art, any boundaries and frameworks are erased, and the dialogue between these two remarkable masters immerses us in an extraordinary world of creativity. We dedicated this vernissage to the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which has become a symbol of unity and creation,” noted Botagoz Kaipova, Deputy Director of the Presidential Center, in her welcoming speech.
In turn, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Kazakhstan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, Andrea Bacher, remarked that this significant event aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between our countries.
The exhibition "We Are Not Alone" is an experiment where art serves as a language that can express what cannot be conveyed in words. Each work is a unique fragment of a mosaic that forms a unified picture of human experience and existence.
This exhibition features 25 works by Akzhan Ali and 27 pieces by Florian Messner.
The exhibition will be open until February 24, 2025.