Afghanistan: Displays of Photos and Books

April 18, 2012-June 29, 2012
Location: Asia Collection

The Asia Collection currently features several photographic series’ and an exhibit of books about Afghanistan.

On the 4th floor is a display titled “Grace and Dignity: An Afghan Photo Essay,” that consists of 20 black and white photographs--portraits and landscapes--taken by Dr. James Weir Director, Muslim Societies of Asia and the Pacific—MSAP and edited by Lorenzo Rinelli. This series was taken in 2005 when Dr. Weir traveled the countryside of northwestern Afghanistan collecting life stories for his dissertation. The images, according to Dr. Weir, “convey the grace, reliance and dignity of many Afghans, amidst a harsh landscape and an even harsher political history.” This is accompanied by an exhibit of books, titled “Everyday and Ordinary Afghanistan,” that are recent acquisitions of the Asia Collection, selected and organized by Philip Whitford, LIS Intern in the Asia Collection. To accompany the exhibit of books, Philip created a guide to those resources. On the 3rd floor is a selection of photographs titled “In and Around Kabul, Afghanistan,” taken in 2011, by Paul Rausch, Associate Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

These displays present recent images of Afghanistan that highlight people and places. They aim to counter the media images of the U.S. military presence in that country and to educate viewers by providing a different perspective. The displays were funded by the Library Administration and James Weir Director of MSAP, coordinated by Monica Ghosh South Asia Librarian and mounted with the assistance of Teri Skillman Library Events Coordinator, Etsuko Chopey Library Technician, and Linda Laurence Library Technician.