The opening ceremony of the joint exhibition of the Corresponding Member of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Honorary Member of the Union of Artists of Astana, Akzhan Ali, and the famous Austrian scientist, artist, Dr. Gerald Florian Messner, "We are not alone," was held at the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This vernissage is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which has become a symbol of unity and creation.
The exhibition was organized within the framework of the "Dialogue through Culture" project and opened the 2025 exhibition season at the Presidential Center of the DPA RK.
Akzhan Ali Toleubaykyzy was born on September 5, 1979, in the Korgalzhyn settlement, Akmola region. Since 2021, she has worked as an art manager at the gallery of the Union of Artists of Astana and has participated in organizing and holding more than 40 exhibitions. Her activity in the Union of Artists of Astana has contributed to the activation of her creativity and the revelation of her potential, first in the direction of fluid-art techniques, and later in abstract painting.
Ali Akzhan's works were presented at the International Exhibition of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2022, at the exhibitions "Astana Finance Days" in 2022, the Youth Association of the Union of Artists of Astana "Alemnin Zharygy", "Jewelry of Turkic Women", EXPO-Nauryz, "Endless Space" at the National Space Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, "13 Metamorphoses" of candidates for the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The artist's works are in personal collections in Kazakhstan, as well as Austria, Germany, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Morocco.
Dr. Gerald Florian Messner is a scientist, artist, musician, actor and writer. He was born in 1937 in Bad Eisenkappel, Austria. He is a graduate of the Pedagogical College in Klagenfurt (Austria), where he received his artistic education, the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna (diploma in performing arts), and the University of Vienna (PhD in comparative musicology).
He has performed in major theatres in Berlin, Hamburg, Klagenfurt, Lucerne and Vienna, as well as on radio, in cinema and on television. In addition, he writes poetry and composes music. In the 1970s, he was known for his protest songs and active musical performances. D.F. Messner is the author of numerous scientific papers and works of art.
In recent years, he has begun to devote more time to the development of his visual art, creating numerous paintings and graphic works that have been exhibited in the UAE, Austria, China and Kazakhstan. For Florian Messner, fine, literary and performing arts, painting and music are interconnected.
"The authors of the exhibition have the honor to open the exhibition season 2025 in the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We are confident that this project will contribute to the further development and strengthening of cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Austria. The title "We are not alone" reflects the deep philosophical message that united two artists from different countries with different cultures, different views on life. But through art any boundaries and limits are erased, and the dialog between two wonderful masters immerses us in the wonderful 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." - said in her welcoming speech Deputy Director of the Presidential Center of Kazakhstan Botagoz Kaipova.
In turn, Andrea Bacher, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Kazakhstan, concurrently to the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, shared her opinion:
"I was appointed to the post of Ambassador relatively recently. I am very pleased that the first event in my activity was such a significant event, designed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between our countries," she said.
In the era of digital technology and globalization, where the boundaries between people are becoming increasingly blurred, two artists, two views of the world, united by one idea. The exhibition "We are not alone" is an experiment where art becomes a language capable of expressing what cannot be conveyed in words. Each work is a unique fragment of a mosaic, which forms a single picture of human experience.
"I am honored to present here today my works that embody my thoughts and feelings. Each painting is my journey. Gerald Florian Messner and I have been working together for about 3 months now, and the aim of this exhibition is to show the works of artists from different countries and different generations. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to introduce visitors to cultural diversity and feel the creative searches of the authors. Today's event will be an opportunity for everyone to discover something new about themselves, about the world as a whole," shared Corresponding Member of the Academy of Arts of Kazakhstan, Honorary Member of the Union of Artists of Astana Akzhan Ali.
The exhibition "We are not alone" is an experiment where art becomes a language capable of expressing what cannot be conveyed in words. Each work is a unique fragment of a mosaic, which forms a single picture of human experience and existence.
This exhibition will feature 25 works by Akzhan Ali and 27 by Florian Messner.
The exhibition will run until February 24, 2025.
