Arslanbob: The Healing Forest is an immersive journey into Kyrgyzstan’s ancient walnut forest, believed to be the oldest in the world. Steeped in myth and history, it is famed for its hallucinatory effects attributed to carbon dioxide released by walnuts at sunset and juglone, a natural compound. Alexander the Great’s exhausted and wounded army is said to have found unexpected salvation here, the mystical forest healing their bodies and minds as they slept.

Guided by two performers and their evocative narration, the audience ventures into the forest at dusk, witnessing an unfolding story culminating in a cinematic experience. Soundscapes, visuals, and gestures draw them into the forest’s memories and visions. The work explores the interconnection of humans, trees, plants, and spirits, imagining questions Alexander might have posed to the forest: What lies beyond? More lands? More worlds to conquer?

Saodat Ismailova, a visual artist and filmmaker born in Uzbekistan, continues her artistic exploration of the Arslanbob forest, blending mythology, history, and nature in a profound sensory experience. Alongside this performance, Ismailova's first chapter on the forest, a three-channel film, is presented as an installation at argos, part of the Magical Realism exhibition organised by WIELS.

"A gesture toward the ongoing struggle against the enduring legacies of capitalism and colonialism." - Shih-yu Hsu, 2025, canvas