Spanish artist Juan Saliquet opened a solo exhibition titled "Archaeology of a City: Almaty" at Esentai Gallery in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on September 5, running until October 15. The show, organized by the Embassy of Spain in Kazakhstan and ART FUTURE, culminates Saliquet's international residency with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Through photography, Saliquet captures Almaty's urban details—architecture, graffiti, reflections, and street fragments—treating the city as a living archive layered with memory and identity.
The exhibition matters because it highlights intercultural dialogue and artistic exchange between Spain and Kazakhstan, positioning Almaty as a source of inspiration for contemporary visual storytelling. Saliquet's work bridges painting, sculpture, and photography, referencing both classical Spanish masters and modern artists like Jasper Johns and Anselm Kiefer. The project also raises awareness about preserving Almaty's unique urban character amid rapid development, connecting local concerns to broader conversations about memory, change, and the soul of cities.