Tashkent/Toshkent: Art for Architecture

This meticulously researched guide explores the rich architectural heritage of the Uzbek capital through the captivating art of mosaics. Delve into the extraordinary legacy of Alexander, Nikolai, and Pyotr Jarsky, artists whose visionary work reshaped Tashkent’s urban landscape after the devastating earthquake of 1966. Their innovative techniques gave rise to breathtaking mosaic-adorned facades, masterfully blending modernist design with intricate Islamic motifs while reflecting the region’s cultural identity.

This title offers an in-depth exploration of the artistry behind these vivid mosaics, spotlighting iconic works. Learn how artists like the Jarsky brothers, Vladimir Chub, Yakov Shapiro, Yury Zaitsev, and Irena Lipienė, among others, pioneered cost-effective yet aesthetically profound wall coverings, bas-reliefs, and lighting designs, leaving an enduring imprint on Tashkent’s architectural fabric.

As global conversations around heritage preservation and urban development gain momentum, the cultural and historical significance of these mosaic-rich structures is increasingly being recognised. This guide invites readers to celebrate Uzbekistan’s artistic ingenuity and cultural heritage while advocating for their acknowledgement in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Fotima Abdurakhmanova, born in Tashkent in 1968. Graduated in 1989 from the Institute of Railway Transport Engineers in Tashkent with a degree in economics. Lecturer at the Tashkent State University of Economics for many years. Since 2017: head of the examination centre for the certification of accountants and auditors. In 2017 founded the online platform ­shagayu.uz, a non-profit social group that meets on weekends to explore Tashkent, neighbouring regions, and even other countries on foot. Her photo collection includes almost all public mosaics in Tashkent. Dmitrij Chmelnizki, born in 1953. Architect, architectural historian and publicist. He studied at the Tajik Polytechnic Institute in Dushanbe and graduated from the Repin Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in Leningrad. PhD in engineering at TU Berlin. Author of works on the history of architecture and art in the USSR and the problems in post-Soviet society. Rustam Khusanov, born in 1977. Studied law at Samarkand State University. Works for media and non-governmental organisations. Main research interests: history of Samarkand and architecture of Tashkent. 2011: Founded @XPlaces, a community for urban exploration of Tashkent. Offers excursions in both cities. Co-author of "Architekturfhrer Taschkent" (2024). Philipp Meuser, born 1969. Architect and publisher. Studied in Berlin and Zurich. Author of various books on Soviet architectural history and contemporary architecture in Central Asia. Professorships at O.M.Beketov University in KharkivUkraine (since 2018) and at Brown University in Providence Rhode Island (2022).