23 Sep - 16 Oct 16
'Comfortably Numb' is an exposition of works of three young sculptors that unifies various specters of theme. Each author has researched the theme they have been recently working on, and based on references, personal experience and researches they have presented new works of art.
Curatorial concept of this project is to create an alliance of masters who makes an artistic research of the author works with different ideas. The paradox of this show is that the only thing that unites these artworks is traditional materials of sculptures – stone, metal and wood.
Farah Alakparli
Curator of exhibition
Novruz Mammadov
Fantasies of Perverted Consciousness (trilogy), 2016
Human brain is able to describe limitless fantasies. Some people trying to escape from world with the help of fantasies have the power to set up unbelievable process of thinking in their minds through dreams.
The trilogy entitling Fantasies of Perverted Consciousness by Novruz Mammadov seeks to discover problems of people with sexual disorders. According to the author, each of us has little elements of his chosen fetishism, voyeurism and acousticophilia paraphilia. However, in some of them this “interest” blooms and turns into pathology form. The artist, assessing this pathology as a physiological case, refers it to libido – the sexual interest which consists of complex emotional and psychological components. Libido is the foundation of all behaviour that results in pleasure.
Nadir Eminov
Would, 2016
Along with the construction of modern architectural projects over the past years, Baku has seen a large number of construction and restoration, as well as reconstruction works. As a logical result, the city acquires a newer and a 'fresher' look. This is an encouraging case, however, along with this the tendency of finishing buildings has turned into a kind of a kitsch culture.
Nadir Eminov, who touches upon the use of Aghlai stone in modern architecture and views it as a hurting problem of our society, regards the wide use of this material as an 'infectious virus'. Facades of historical buildings with a status of memorials, the image of residential buildings on the main avenues and streets of the city and, finally, a number of old and ancient buildings in Icheri Shahar, which has a status of a 'reserve', change their exterior with the use of this stone.
The artist believes that the prevailing senseless use of this material is a demonstration of architectural ignorance. A 'bleeding wound' in his composition is a metaphor. The architecture of Baku which starts from Absheron's oil fields currently goes through the 'history of a disease' with the stone fields of Absheron.
Elvin Nabizada
Black saz, 2016
Saz instrument is considered to be one of the keystone element of ancient Turkic culture. Saz existed in Azerbaijani music culture through the process of evolution over the centuries.
Black saz is a project by Elvin Nabizade, representing deformed saz instruments made of wood. In order to draw attention to the idea, he has decided to change the "genetic code" of saz instrument. From the formalist point of view, the artist transformed the structure of saz instrument to the new appearance. Assessing saz as a voice from the past, as well, the author presents it as a forgotten tradition, cultural heritage and tries to point out the urgency of the subject in our contemporary era.