The Head of Kazakhstan’s Union of Artists Speaks Out on Culture During Central Asia’s Transition
Q&A with Yerkin Mergenov: 1/10/00

Some Soviet-era cultural institutions, such as Kazakhstan’s Union of Artists, have survived the transition in Central Asia from Communism to a more market-oriented system. But as Yerkin Mergenov, the president of Kazakhstan’s 500-member Union of Artists, told EurasiaNet in a recent interview, the artists’ union has a very limited ability to promote the revival of the arts. According to Mergenov, the arts remain endangered throughout Central Asia. The text of the interview follows:

EurasiaNet: What trends have you noticed in the development of the arts in your country?

Mergenov: The situation has changed critically. As for the tendencies, as you may know, many changes have taken place in the country. Kazakhstan’s Union of Artists has taken an active part in demonopolization and reconstruction of our new society and new country.

Certainly, the Union of Artists has faced many new and unexpected problems. There are problems in the cultural sector due to the absence of special programs and lack of legislation in regard to the creative associations. The Union of Artists still experiences a plethora of problems. We do not receive any governmental support. It is hard to sell any creative works. The main reason for this is that the government does not have enough money. We have problems with houses and studios. It is far from being optimistic and encouraging.

There are several generations of artists in my country. There are still artists alive who … founded the Union of Artists [The Union celebrated its 60^th anniversary on December 21, 2000]. … There are some artists of the middle generation. And we also have very young artists. For them to adjust to the new situation is easier. Unfortunately, there is not much of a market for arts here, in Kazakhstan. There is little done by the government. There are no tax privileges provided for the Union. There are rich people in the country, yet very often even they express little interest in the arts.

In contrast with other Creative Unions, we privatized and established a private institution. Despite the many other problems that we have, we also try to solve both professional and social problems. As head of the Union I can say that currently we have opportunities to provide financial support to those artists who are in need, and to the elderly - the Union of Artists also helps elderly artists organize the exhibitions.

EurasiaNet: What is the current relationship between Union of Artists and the state government?

Mergenov: Let’s say, there is not such a close relationship. The arts are not the top priority for the state government.

EurasiaNet: Is it still the responsibility of the Union to pay pensions and provide other support to members?

Mergenov: No, it is not. Taking into account that the state pays very small pension, the Union of Artists has decided to help elderly artists, especially when such opportunities exist. There are about 40 people receiving such support from our organization. Also, we partially cover their utility bills. Speaking about the arts, I can say that the very artists actively working in 1950-1960 created this foundation of arts. Their works are well-known in the Former Soviet Union and far beyond the region.

Many older artists have become frustrated because of the change of values and attitudes in our country. All these changes are not familiar to them. … A high level of criminality and low wages have complicated life in this country. This fact creates a certain instability and frustration among artists. To a certain extent, it is our own fault, due mainly to our own mentality.

As for young artists, they have much freedom now. The time when the Union of Artists was a kind of a monopoly has gone. Today we try to help and support those artists who want to work creatively.

EurasiaNet: What do you think about quality?

Mergenov: I think that as in any field, what we see now is only the beginning of the process. It is difficult to speak about quality of arts. The quality is determined by the individual artist. I believe we have many gifted and promising artists . We are in the transition stage now. Freedom--even in developed countries--is a danger. The market dictates what to do and reshapes the creativity of young artists. They have started to adjust themselves to the market economy. Unfortunately, we lose a lot because of the absence of appropriate institutions and programs. We also have a problem with education. I have been teaching at the Academy of Arts for 20 years and can say that the level of education has deteriorated.

EurasiaNet: Do you think there will be any positive change in near future?

Mergenov: I wish all these positive changes were possible right away. According to all indicators, it will be difficult to change things in the near future. We have a deteriorated economic situation in the country, and political reforms need improvement themselves. We used to send our artists to Leningrad, Moscow to study there, however, nowadays we cannot afford it anymore.

Email this article
Posted January 10, 2001 © Eurasianet
http://www.eurasianet.org

	The Central Eurasia Project aims, through its website, meetings, papers, and grants, to foster a more informed debate about the social, politcal and economic developments of the Caucasus and Central Asia. It is a program of the Open Society Institute-New York. The Open Society Institute-New York is a private operating and grantmaking foundation that promotes the development of open societies around the world by supporting educational, social, and legal reform, and by encouraging alternative approaches to complex and controversial issues. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Open Society Institute and are the sole responsibility of the author or authors.