Steppen Baroque

"SteppenBaroque," a video performance by Almagul Menlibaeva, serves as a symbolic exploration of Central Asian female identity in the wake of geopolitical collapse. Set against the backdrop of the timeless steppe landscape, the piece features seven women who embody mythical spirits of nature, their presence characterized by vibrant fabrics and unclothed bodies engaged in enigmatic rituals. This artistic endeavor pays homage to the artist's seven ancestors, rooted in the nomadic practice of remembering seven generations to construct a narrative of history and connection. Responding to the marginalized status of Central Asian women in contemporary society, Menlibaeva's work strives to reveal their core essence. Within her artistry, the powerful matriarchal figures from the nomadic past resurface, casting aside the chains of patriarchal authority. "SteppenBaroque" fearlessly embraces elements that were once suppressed, such as traditional Tengriism shamanism and female nudity – both suppressed during the era of Soviet cultural domination. The performance stands as a tribute to the enduring strength of history and the reclamation of an identity that had been stifled.