20 Dec - 20 Jan 15
e·phem·er·a
Leyla Aghayeva
The author of the idea
There is one story about 'the inner self', represented simultaneously by reality and myth. For some a myth is just a fiction, unconfirmed and beyond explanation. For others, it is a parallel world, holding the answers to questions and opening unlimited possibilities. If you close your eyes, it is possible to become, for example, that person who invented wings in order to save themself from the terrible King Minos. It is possible to soar with free energy across the universe and to observe unknown galaxies. It is possible to simultaneously be Majnun, Iskandar and Bahram Gur [famous figures from Azerbaijani literature and history].
The inner self possesses a surprising ability to transform imagination into reality. In the inner world, a canvas and paints immediately appear, as well as paper and pens, notes, the required teachers and appropriate opportunities. Paintings are created, texts are written, films are made. The worlds of the artist – inner and outer – merge as one, are divided and break up into pieces, transforming into something new and whole. Harmony reigns ... until the new impulses of the 'inner self' ...
...readers and viewers. These experience their first myth, frozen in front of a picture in a museum, while time around him stopped and movement froze. He still does not know the name of the painting or the artist. This person was just walking past, strolling around the rooms and suddenly halted, attracted by the energy of the picture. It is unclear how much time passed, and he is still standing and watching. Later he will remember about things he has to do and will leave the museum, and will possibly forget about what he saw until the moment when . . .
...he is dreaming.
...he looks up to the starry sky.
...it appears that magic is occurring around him.
But that's a completely different story ...
e·phem·er·a
Samira Sefi
Curator
The mythology that includes the immense world of human daydreams, fantasies and dreams is a very significant cultural layer of human history. Initially existing as ephemeral constructions of the collective subconscious, dreams and myths gradually became a stable form in the material world – legends were passed around through word of mouth, were written down in books and turned into works of art.
This process can be defined as 'personal mythmaking'. Having its roots deep in history, mythmaking, as a trans-psychological phenomenon, is relevant also for the modern world. The array of ephemeral visual objects is an integral part of pop culture, where archetypes of the heroes turn into modern icons of the mass media that influences the subconscious of the masses.
The critical interpretation of the myths of pop culture created Pop Art, the main themes of which are still popular among artists. The reasons why human imagination turned to mythmaking could be different. Psychologists explain this process from the point of view of human dissatisfaction with the surrounding reality, whipping up humanity's imagination to create different worlds – richer and more interesting than existing reality. On the path to mythmaking, the energy, first of all, works as a broadening of a personal existential space, where a human builds their own life construction, in which they are the main character. The scenario could include a ritual trance, meetings with demons and presentations in the form of self-portraits and biographies. The exhibition e-phem-er-a walks a spectator through the gallery of the modern ways of mythmaking and its various interpretations through the works of artists.
Idea by: Leyla Aghayeva
Curated by: Samira Sefi
Venue: Museum of Modern Art
Dates: 20.12.2014 – 19.01.2015
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Admission Fee: 5 AZN
www.yarat.az / www.mim.az