'Afghan Eyes' focuses on Mir Centre and Touchstones Nelson
By Contributor
Nelson and Castlegar: Selkirk College’s Mir Centre for Peace in Castlegar in partnership with Touchstones Nelson – Museum of Art and History are sharing the exhibition Kandahar Through Afghan Eyes 2010; an alternate perspective about the realities of life in the province of Kandahar.
The Kandahar Through Afghan Eyes 2010 exhibit is a series of 30 photographs accompanied by a poem or narrative created by 15 male and female students selected from schools throughout Kandahar City in Afghanistan. These students were trained for six weeks on the principles of photography, journalism and Pashto literature.
“This exhibit portrays the challenges and opportunities of the next generation,” explains Chair of Mir Centre for Peace Randy Janzen. “These students visited different parts of the province and photographed the daily lives of Kandaharis. It allows us to get a glimpse of scenes and situations that have rarely been viewed by those living outside the province.”
Supported by Canadian International Development Agency, this project was organized in conjunction with the Afghan Innovative Consulting Bureau, a community-based organization located in Kandahar.
Ten of the original 30 panels of the exhibit are coming to the West Kootenay region. Seven will be on display at the Mir Centre for Peace in Castlegar and three will be at Touchstones Nelson – Museum of Art and History until February 18, 2011.
The Mir Centre for Peace is located at Selkirk College’s Castlegar campus and is open to the public from 1-4 p.m. on Thursdays. Touchstones Nelson will have the remaining three panels available for free viewing in their lobby during their hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m-5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m. Call 250.352.8262 or 250.365.1234 or visit www.selkirk.ca/events for more information.
