– Darion, how did this project idea come to you?
– One day in mid-November, I was sitting in a café and looked out at the road — I noticed the smoke from the cars. I thought, “You can actually feel it physically.” Then it hit me: “Oh, we could do an art project. If the pollution is this visible, it should appear on canvas too.” I called my colleague Galym, suggested we team up, and that’s how it started. We discussed ideas, picked canvas locations, and found videographers — we did it all ourselves.

(Photo: Canvas at Abay–Zharokov intersection. Photo: Darion Shabbash)

– What did you see a month later? Were the results surprising?
– When we came back a month later, we were honestly shocked… Some works were completely black; others were just very dark. The darkest spots were near the power plant (CHP), at the Sain–Zhandosov intersection. At the Abay–Zharokov location, too, the “smog stuck” heavily. Clearly, it was all due to traffic and congestion.

– You lived in Germany for three years. Why did you return to Kazakhstan?
– I’m a third-generation Almaty resident. This is my favorite city. No matter where I go, I always miss it. In Germany, the environment is great — people ride bikes and use public transport — but the creative energy and culture of Kazakhstan pulled me back. The contrast between the two is a big source of inspiration for me.

– Many people leave because of poor environmental conditions, but you came back and highlighted that contrast…
– Yes, as an artist, I wanted to express this theme. I still have several ideas related to smog. I’m waiting for winter and the heating season — this is an urgent issue, and I want to give it a voice.

– Can you share anything about your new project?
– Not just yet — it’s still in development and hasn’t been launched. It’s not ready for the camera.

– Why did you choose the swallow motif?
– There’s a swallow design on one of the canvases. It’s like a tribute to the swallows that used to nest in Almaty. As a kid, I’d see their nests near Gogol and 8 Marta Streets. I also remember a swallow mural seen from Kok Tobe — it left a vivid impression on me. The second artwork combines traditional Kazakh patterns with techno-aesthetic elements, influenced by my time living in Berlin.

– What happened to the canvases afterward? Where are they now?
– The whole project was done out of pure enthusiasm — no budget. We filmed it ourselves and handled logistics. The adhesive wasn’t available in Kazakhstan, so we ordered it from abroad. Officially, the project ended a year ago and hasn’t been exhibited anywhere, but now we’re open to showing it. The main product is the video; the artworks are secondary. Through film, we aimed to bring attention to the environmental issue.

– What do you think are the root causes of Almaty’s pollution?
– The city’s transportation system is a huge factor. I remember how clean the air was during the COVID lockdowns. In winter, when you come down from Shymbulak, the city often looks like it’s drowning in smoke. Vehicles and private homes burning coal or tires are the main contributors to the air pollution. Almaty should be a clean and eco-friendly city — that’s the direction we need to move in.

– What do you personally do to protect yourself?
– In winter, I try to spend more time in the mountains. It’s possible to rest in the city, but the smog causes allergies. It’s not a secret that during the cold months, people in Almaty suffer from respiratory issues. Even I, someone who’s always breathed freely, feel the air like dust sometimes…

– What message do you want to send to the public and the city authorities?
– To citizens: take care of your surroundings, clean up, protect nature. To the authorities: everyone’s input matters for fair solutions — from eco-monitoring posts to systemic policies. The spectrum of action is broad, and we need to act for the sake of future generations.