British architect Asif Khan is working on the conversion of a Soviet-era cinema in Almaty. Once completed the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture will become the country’s first independent cultural centre.
The renovation of the former Soviet building, which dates back to 1964 and constitutes the largest Soviet-era cinema in Central Asia, started in 2018. The original building structure, made out of concrete and boasting the Soviet-era’s typical architectural simplicity, had mostly been left untouched by Khan.
However, the architect made multiple improvements to the outlay of the building and added all modern conveniences in order to make it fit for the 21st century. The original 18-metre-tall auditorium was reinforced and other parts of the structure were rebuilt in order to meet modern seismic standards and improve accessibility. On the outside of the building, contrasting with the modernist structure, concrete panels featuring undulating vertical fins and petroglyph-like abstract motifs inspired by sgraffito artist Evgeny Sidorkin have been added.
“My goal isn’t to simply renovate Soviet remnants but to uncover a Tselinny that never was, enabling a future defined by the next generation of artists and audiences,” Khan said in an interview with Dezeen. “Inspired by the ideas of the institution and its visionary programme, this space, both archaic and futuristic – cloud-like in its fluidity – offers a unique opportunity for artists to plant the seeds of transformative creative exploration.”
The new cultural centre is set to open in April 2025, offering a wide variety of art exhibitions, performances, film screenings and workshops. There will also be a library, book shop, office spaces and a restaurant on-site. The name “Tselinny” was derived from the term “tselina”, Russian for “undeveloped but fertile land”. According to the founder, it symbolises the building’s role as a hub for cultural innovation.
“We look forward to Tselinny making significant and positive contributions to the development of contemporary culture in Kazakhstan and Central Asia,” said Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture founder Kairat Boranbayev. “We are building a common space for the interaction and collective effort that will positively change our cultural landscape, making Almaty attractive for tourists and locals and stimulating an influx of capital and outstanding talent.”
One of the first exhibitions to be on display in the newly renovated building will be curated by historian Markus Lähteenmäki, showing the transformation of the cinema. Works from Kazakh and Central Asian artists will complete the opening line-up.
