STAB Kyrgyzstan

STAB (School of Theory and Activism) is an institute located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which focuses on research, expression, and activism.[1] STAB was established in 2012 and provides a platform for discussion and expression of many issues facing the people of Kyrgyzstan primarily through art and literature.[1] STAB focuses on several key issues including Postcolonialism, gender, and sexuality, and has partnered with other activist groups like Labrys, a Bishkek LGBT organization.[1] STAB holds theory critical to the process of its work, and its members spend much time conceptualizing before completing their work.[2]

Workshop of Unalienating Protest

In a collaboration with the LGBT organization called Labrys, STAB helped create a 2-week project designed to create and use anti-homophobic slogans.[1] The project ended with the creation of various materials like t-shirts and posters.[1]

Soviet Mosaics

On many of the walls of both public and residential buildings, Soviet mosaics exist as remnants of the Soviet Union in Bishkek.[2] STAB categorized these mosaics as public domain, and claimed that they play a part of Bishkek's cultural heritage.[2] STAB located and mapped all of these mosaics located in Bishkek, and now hosts tours of them.[2]

Cosmos and Scientific Progress

In looking for these mosaics, STAB discovered a mosaic titled Cosmos and Scientific Progress which was located on the side of a building owned by a local karaoke club.[2] The owners of this club called Zapoi had painted over the mosaic with a dark brown colour in order to cover the artwork.[2] In an attempt to protect the mosaic and restore its original state, STAB filed a complaint and rallied the general public.[2] STAB created an animated video that highlighted the issue to the general public in an effort to bring to light the situation.[2] The result of the campaign was successful for STAB, and the owners of the club were fined and required to remove the paint off the mosaic.[2]

Botanical Garden Controversy

STAB was involved in protecting the Botanical Garden in Bishkek from developers who sought to build residences in its current location.[2] In 2016, Parliament had planned to transfer the land from the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences to the Ministry of Agriculture.[2] STAB had seen this move as an attempt to privatize the land.[2] In a response to this, STAB rallied the employees to protest the transfer of land.[2]

Programs

Fellows Program

STAB runs a fellowship program for Kyrgyz citizens every year, and the program made its debut in 2012.[1] The content of these fellowships is comprehensive, and they include but are not limited to lectures, research and production spaces, and publication opportunities on their website.[1] The fellowship students typically come from a wide variety of fields and interests, as a background in art is not required.[1]

Critical Animation Workshop

STAB fellows have had opportunities to collaborate with each other in the past.[1] The Critical Animation Workshop is focused around the creation of animation that highlights social issues.[1] These issues range in topics, but typically focus on LGBT issues, namely Homophobia and gay rights within Kyrgyzstan.[1]

References

1. "Accessible Art and Dialectic Potential: The Soviet Legacy in the Art community of Kyrgyzstan". Museum Studies Abroad. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
2. Nasritdinov, Emil; Schröder, Philipp (2017-04-14). "Re/Claiming Bishkek: Contestation and Activism in the City of Two Revolutions". Central Asian Affairs. 4 (2): 97–128. doi:10.1163/22142290-00402001. ISSN 2214-2282. S2CID 148790217.