Finding Afghanistan

schooling in a Kabul masjid
office of a Kabul news Agency
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026_9 ISAf Soldaten Mazar
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003_Waffe hinterm Tor
033_DSC_9621
031_Bild 026
030_6 DSC_6497
029_DSC_8102
026_9 ISAf Soldaten Mazar
025_DSC_6599
021_14a DSC_6704
020_DSC_2823
018_sia o shan 024
016_DSC_8503
015_7 Bild 038
013_9. Herat Hochzeitkranz
035_Neues Bild26
034_2 Bäckerei Kabul LR
033_Bild 018
031_Swimming Pool Kabul
030_6 Afghan Punk DSC_9256
027_20-3-kabul 199
025_DSC_1518
024_3 Make Up Kurs Bild 013
023_9a DSC_9423
022_5 DSC_6494
021_DSC_3038
013_10a DSC_2448
012_Gerner_Martin_new economy3
009_5 Idole Herat
007_DSC_8097
006_DSC_5251
previous arrow
next arrow

Finding Afghanistan was inspired by the complexities and contradictions in Afghan urban life. Kabul and the major cities have undergone huge changes along with the foreign intervention. While the latter believe that most of it is to owe to their benefit a controversial debate exists about the real or only apparent progress generated by the Western presence.

The vigor, joy and eagerness of urban populations are a remarkable phenomenon because they happen amidst daily shortages and terror. Despite insecurity and an uncertain future, especially the young generations share a common desire to build a new tomorrow and want to be part of the global communication. iPhones and tablets, ventilated supermarkets and skateboards are not only shining realities in an urban context tainted by dust. They have also become witnesses to a new „conflict chic“ that the aid-industry has so far not reflected.

The new Afghan middle class is in itself fragile. Young men and women are repeatedly tossed between local identities and Western ideals. At the same time, the modernization visible in these pictures is a response to the Taliban and extremists groups or to corrupt elites and local warlords fed by Western aid money. As vibrant as it seems, Kabul and urban Afghanistan is also full of inhibited contradictions and assumptions, and of immeasurable hopes.