Pottery of Uzbekistan: A Living Record of Central Asian History and Culture (Research Brief)

My objectives in this project were: · to understand the relationship between historical and contemporary Uzbek pottery by examining Uzbek pottery from the 3rd century BCE to the present; · to assemble a collection of representative pieces that would form the core of an exhibit of contemporary pottery from Uzbekistan; · to create an exhibit that would use contemporary Uzbek ceramics to show historical influences that have shaped Uzbekistan and Central Asia, · to show common cultural influences between the West and Central Asia, and · to put forth a positive picture of Central Asian culture in contrast to the negative views that have formed in the West as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 2001 and the ensuing war.

Download the pdf at the top of this page for the full brief.

RaNae Merrill was a 2002-03 Short-Term Travel Grants fellow.