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Art & Books

Varial (Cedric Houin) and Fabrice Nadjari: Wakhan, Another Afghanistan

Arsenal Toronto, 45 Ernest, 647-346-9062 To August 16

Franco-Canadian Varial and his French collaborator Nadjari, adventurers who’ve visited some of the world’s remotest corners, document the inhabitants of northeastern Afghanistan’s Wakhan corridor. In this beautiful mountain range, yurt-dwelling herders, isolated from the current conflict by the harsh terrain, continue a timeless pastoral existence.

Many pose holding Polaroid portraits of themselves, gifts from Varial and Nadjari. Though the images degraded and discoloured at the extreme altitude, they were still precious to people who’d never had a photograph of themselves. A quiet 76-minute video of everyday scenes – children playing, women carrying water, men coaxing heavily laden donkeys over mountain trails – makes fascinating viewing.

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