2008-2009 Special Events
AFGHANISTAN 1970 – 1975
Images From an Era of Peace
by Joseph Hoyt
Photos by Joseph Hoyt on display at San Jose Repertory Theatre to accompany
world premiere of The Kite Runner, March 21, 2009 – April 26, 2009
Fifty remarkable black and white photographs of Afghanistan will be on display in the San Jose Repertory
Theatre’s second floor gallery, March 21, 2009 – April 26, 2009. The exhibition is
the work of photographer Joseph Hoyt and accompanies San Jose Rep’s world premiere of the stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, The Kite Runner.
The photos depict portraits, landscapes
and ancient ruins in the poor but culturally and historically rich nation before the start of conflict and turmoil.
“The photographs in this collection reveal an Afghanistan
very different from the one we hear about today. What we
see in these images is not just an Afghanistan at peace,
but a people and a country at peace with itself – a
remarkable country and its resilient people going about
their daily routines,” says Hoyt. Nomadic tribes, stunning
landscapes, the Buddhas of Bamian, textile markets and
centuries-old architecture are reflected in the
photographs. They portray the lives of a rugged and
courageous people; their surroundings, their handsome
faces and laughing children living as they have for
centuries.”
The Afghan poet Jellaludin Rumi once said, “Only from
your heart can you touch the sky.” In one photograph a
child is seen flying a kite from a rooftop, a carefree and
beloved Afghan tradition, a simple pastime once banned
by the oppressive Taliban regime. Hoyt spent more than
three years exploring Afghanistan, capturing the people, landscapes, and culture at peace, with bustling markets, a thriving economy and a welcoming people.
A beautifully produced book of the images complementing the exhibition will be available for purchase in San Jose Rep’s Curtain Call Patron Lounge. The catalogue features 50 duotone black-and-white photographs along with detailed captions and the author’s comments and reminiscences. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the San Jose
Repertory Theatre and several Bay Area Afghan relief organizations. Copies of the photographs are also available for purchase.
Joseph Hoyt has had an abiding interest in Afghanistan
and the tragedies that have befallen the Afghan people
since the Russian invasion and ensuing civil war. This
interest has resulted in the resurrection of long stored
photographs taken in the early 1970s. His photographs
were originally exhibited at the Miami Dade County Public
Library in 2007. An exhibition at the San Francisco Public
Library drew hundreds of viewers and strong reviews
during its run from October 2008 through January 2009.
Hoyt has been a resident of south Florida for over 40
years. For further information, please view the
photographer’s website at: www.imagesofafghanistan.com
The Kite Runner is a haunting story of friendship and
redemption in modern Afghanistan. The story was
adapted by Bay Area resident Matthew Spangler and will
be directed by David Ira Goldstein, artistic director of the
Arizona Theatre Company. The Kite Runner is presented
by Hitachi Data Systems and runs from March 21-April 19, 2009 at the San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose. Press Opening is March 27 at 8:00 p.m. For ticket information, please call (408) 367-7255 or visit www.SJRep.com.