The colonialism of the Modern Movement and the post‐USSR reaction in Central Asia

This study reveals how modernist architectural language, originally rooted in socialist ideals, was repurposed as a tool of colonial control in Central Asia. It demonstrates that the Soviet Union's nomination of Itchan Kala as an 'open-air city museum' for UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990 reflected a broader strategy to displace local identities tied to empire and religion, while simultaneously preserving a sanitized version of history. Post-Soviet reactions in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan, have shifted toward reclaiming narratives through the inscription of properties like Shakhrisyabz, Bukhara, and Samarkand, emphasizing social, cultural, and economic processes over mere architectural monuments. The research combines political science and historical analysis to explore how urban fabric and language were manipulated to serve colonial agendas, while also examining the challenges and opportunities in postcolonial conservation efforts.

Turner, M., & Gak‐Vassallo, D. (2024). The colonialism of the Modern Movement and the post‐USSR reaction in Central Asia. Curator: The Museum Journal, 67(1), 183–193. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12605