In the face of conflict and destruction in Afghanistan, a small group of artisans has been laboring to revive the old district of Kabul with help from the British organization Turquoise Mountain. Their efforts have resulted in a revitalized neighborhood where Afghan cultural traditions are kept alive. The Turquoise Mountain exhibit at the Freer Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution allows their story to be shared.

Upon walking into the gallery the first thing that seems extraordinary is not the large wooden structures or ornate carpets hanging from the ceiling, although those are breathtaking as well. Instead it is the large sign at the front of the gallery that welcomes visitors in and commands that they “Please do touch” the art. Different from other art exhibits, this gallery encourages the physical interaction of its visitors, which adds an entirely new dimension to the work.

Each section of the exhibit begins with a large plaque with a picture of the respective artist and his or her story. The represented crafts include carpet weaving, pottery, and jewelry. Each of these seemingly ordinary crafts includes a piece of Afghanistan’s history. One exhibit features several hand made pots made by a potter from the village of Istalif. This particular feature tells the story of how the skill was passed from generation to generation until the Taliban came and families were forced to flee. The artist tells how he and his brother came back to their town to rebuild their own lives and their heritage through continuing their crafts.

Each section of the exhibit contains stories like these of bravery and persistence. The artisans and their commitment to their culture are put on display for the rest of the world to see. The exhibit enables viewers to expand their minds, to think of an Afghanistan beyond the daily bad news of conflict and violence, and allows them to begin connecting to Afghanistan’s deep and rich cultural history.