TAKLAMAKAN DUST
29 September 2016

TAKLAMAKAN DUST

“TAKLAMAKAN DUST” focuses on the relation between Uyghur people and the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang province, China.

The oasis town of Hotan, in China’s Xinjiang province, was once a stop on the Silk Road from China to Europe. The Muslims reputedly triumphed over the Buddhists there in the 10th century. Today it is the Han Chinese who are putting pressure on the once dominant culture of the Muslim Uyghurs. Since the discovery of extensive gas and oil reserves in the Taklamakan desert, the Chinese government has made massive investments in infrastructure in the area, including an elaborate network of roads.

Guardian of the Imam Asim Tomb. The Imam is said to be one of the first Islamic missionaries in the region. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Tomb in the desert - Imam Asim related tomb. The Imam is said to be one of the first Islamic missionaries in the region. This place is an important pilgrimage site. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
The Pigeon House - Pigeon house at the Imam Asim Tomb. The Imam is said to be one of the first Islamic missionaries in the region. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012
Muslim Pilgrim - Pilgrim in the desert surrounding the Imam Asim Tomb. The Imam is said to be one of the first Islamic missionaries in the region. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Jade market - Empty market stalls near the Imam Asim Tomb. These stalls fill up quickly on fridays and on official pilgrimag days. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Hotan River, Jade seekers - Morning scene at the Hotan River. Every day, hundreds of locals gather in the riverbed hunting for jade. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Kurban Tulum and Mao Zedong Monument - Monument of Kurban Tulum’s meeting with Mao Zedong in Unity Square. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Jade miner - Uyghur jade miner in the Hotan River bed. Every day, hundreds of locals gather in the riverbed hunting for jade. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Uyghur jade miner - Uyghur jade miner in the Hotan River bed. Every day, hundreds of locals gather in the riverbed hunting for jade. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Traditional restaurant - Roadside restaurant with traditional low tables. The printed tarpaulin shows the ideal of an oasis with camels watering, bushes and desert. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Interior of a photographer's shop - Interior of a photo shop the picture of his mother is hanging on the wall next to a clock and some plastic vine. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Going to the market - A woman passes by in the old part of Hotan. Houses are built in mud bricks. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012
Interior of a lamb and noodles restaurant - Interior of a lamb and noodles restaurant. A stove has been installed to warm the place. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Food Market, dear Camel's Head and Paws - Head and paws of a camel in the Hotan market indicating a meat vendor. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Children's drawing - Children's drawing on a wall representing caterpillars. The demolition of the old part of many Uyghur cities has begun, making place to new concrete blocks. Due to it's remoteness, Hotan is one of the lesser touched cities by this developpement. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Plant in a blucket - Detail of an interior. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Young Uyghur men - Young Uyghur men at a coal depot. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Dusty Vegetation - Dry vegetation covered with sand. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Camouflage - Car under a camouflage tarpaulin. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Roadside hut - Roadside hut and advertisement board for caterpillars trucks and cars. A flagrant contrast beween, the ancient times and the modern ones. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
Plastic ablution pots - Plastic ablution pots at the Imam Asim Tomb. Thes pots are used by people to wash their feet and hands before attending to any prayer in the mosque. Hotan, Xinjiang, China 2012.
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