It was a kind of unique mix of musical improvisation and the paintings of young female artists. A very interesting idea, well executed. Attending this event at the Tapioka coffee house, in the center of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, was a very interesting experience. The atmosphere was one of creative chaos and spontaneity, with bright and original paintings by young artists placed all around, and fiery, exciting improvisations by the musical performers – in short, eclecticism in its purest form. Let's just say, this combination was particularly stirring, charging you with a unique kind of energy. It even made me a little sad that I can neither paint nor sing – insert sad smiley here...

But first, about the paintings. I actually began my time at the event with them; as soon as I arrived, I walked around the hall, photographing the works of the young artists. I can't give specific names, as the artists were introduced during the opening remarks, but I didn't really keep track. So, if you need specifics, you probably had to be there in person, although on some works you might be able to make out the signature. The hall is small, and the paintings were placed in various, sometimes unexpected, spots – but that was the intention, as an informal exhibition, not bound by any canons or rules. It was meant as an immersion into the unstamped, unconstrained world of young female artists. A kind of message or image of a beginning, of spring, of unrestrained growth, when everything awakens and starts anew – and who better than young artists to demonstrate this.

Next, there was a short presentation and the opening of the event. Speeches were given by the organizers: writer and director, curator of the exhibition – Anisa Sabiri; the event organizer and art manager at Tapioka – Shohin Kurbanov, who was also one of the performers in the jam session, juggling organizational tasks while playing the drums. Also speaking were guests – theater and film artist, member of the USSR Union of Artists, Manzura Uljabaeva, and the artist familiar to us from my previous photo review of her solo exhibition – Irina Dmitrieva-Vann. They introduced the young artists, officially opened the exhibition, and the joint jam session and exhibition of women's painting at the Tapioka coffee house was officially underway.

There were many guests; people came and went, everything was in a bit of chaos, but overall it was great and exciting. The musical jam session, in my humble opinion, was brilliant. Unfortunately, I wasn't there until the very end; matters forced me to leave the event early. But what I managed to see, I really liked. Initially, I just wanted to sit on the sidelines, but I got so caught up that I went closer to the musicians. Again, I can't name the performers. Honestly, I'm new to such events, so I simply don't know anyone, and from the way everyone was interacting, I gathered they all know each other very well... Well, hopefully, I'll get acquainted sometime too.

First, photos of the paintings by the young artists presented at the exhibition:

Here, by the way, is one participant I can name. Luckily for me, when I was photographing her works, she herself came over – it's Manizha Abdullaeva, along with the exhibition curator Anisa Sabiri and someone else they were showing the works to. So, I happened to find out who they belong to. Unfortunately, the artist herself didn't end up in any shots, but there is a self-portrait. Here are these works:

The musicians at the jam session:

Guests at the jam session and women's painting exhibition at the Tapioka coffee house, Dushanbe, Tajikistan:

This was such an interesting and culturally very uplifting event that took place on a March evening at the Tapioka coffee house, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

All the best to you and creative success!

Jam Session and Painting Exhibition, Tapioka, Dushanbe, Tajikistan