Mission: Afghanistan
University of Calgary Founders' Gallery
Sept - Oct 2021
Mission: Afghanistan
Mission: Afghanistan is a major bilingual traveling exhibit developed in partnership between The Military Museums in Calgary, and the Directorate of History and Heritage/DND in Ottawa.
The exhibit discusses Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan from 2001-2014 and is based upon the experiences of Canadians who served there. During the exhibit research phase, over 200 oral histories were conducted across the country: excerpts from these interviews illustrate the commitment and sacrifices made by Canadians.
All three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) are represented in Mission: Afghanistan. Key government decision makers such as Stephen Harper, Peter MacKay and Bill Graham, shed light on Canada’s role as part of the international effort in Afghanistan. Some of Canada’s most important military leaders in Afghanistan including Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hope, Colonel David Fraser and Lieutenant-Colonel Omer Lavoie talk about major operations to defeat the Taliban.
Mission: Afghanistan premieres in Calgary and will then tour across Canada, with additional scope for international circulation.
Mission: Afghanistan 3D
University of Calgary Founders' Gallery
Nov - Dec 2021
Mission: Afghanistan 3D
Mission: Afghanistan 3D is a major bilingual traveling exhibit developed in partnership between The Military Museums in Calgary, and the Directorate of History and Heritage/DND in Ottawa.
The exhibit discusses Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan from 2001-2014 and is based upon the experiences of Canadians who served there. Personal artifacts and oral histories from veterans all across the country are presented.
This exhibit includes additional key artifacts including a piece of one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center, a motorcycle used by an attempted suicide bomber, a large chunk of a propane truck that blew into a chain link fence and has the impressions from it, the last Canadian flag that flew in Afghanistan, a bullet proof window riddled with bullet marks - but none that penetrated, and weapons used by the Taliban.
During the exhibit research phase, over 200 oral histories were conducted across the country: excerpts from these interviews illustrate the commitment and sacrifices made by Canadians. Key government decision makers such as Stephen Harper, Peter MacKay and Bill Graham, shed light on Canada’s role as part of the international effort in Afghanistan. Some of Canada’s most important military leaders in Afghanistan including Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hope, Colonel David Fraser and Lieutenant-Colonel Omer Lavoie talk about major operations against the Taliban.
Mission: Afghanistan 3D premieres in Calgary and will then tour across Canada, with additional scope for international circulation.
Tensile Strength
University of Calgary Founders' Gallery
July - December, 2021
Tensile Strength: Weavers and War
Tensile Strength: Weavers and War showcases intriguing forms of carpet-making known as Afghan War Rugs. Mounted to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, and curated by Michele Hardy, PhD, all exhibits come from the textile holdings at Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary.
These iconic forms of material culture first appeared after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, when Afghan weavers started experimenting with novel carpet motifs. Instead of traditional geometric designs, rug makers began incorporating guns, tanks, landmines, and aircraft.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, 2001, and subsequent American-led coalition invasion of Afghanistan, carpet making took a new turn. Weavers moved beyond production for domestic use, to the creation of woven posters, likely intended as souvenirs.
Although war rugs may be known best for depicting weaponry and violence, Tensile Strength also includes weavings of celebrated figures, places, and scenes from epic tales suggesting a different, possibly more local audience. Examples include archaeological sites, modern cityscapes and a tribute in honour of the late Afghan hero, Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Taken as a whole, Tensile Strength: Weavers and War brings together enigmatic artifacts to explore Afghan weavers' creativity and resilience, demonstrating the complex interplay of conflict and culture.
