An exhibition on the theme of "Life, Death and Beauty" comprised of works by Andy Warhol is opened at the Heydar Aliyev Center
On June 21, an exhibition on the theme of “Life, Death and Beauty” comprised of works by Andy Warhol, a famous artist of the 20th century, was opened at the Heydar Aliyev Center, with joint support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Andy Warhol Museum.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Andy Warhol Museum, diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, as well as persons of culture and art.
Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov informed that for a short span of time since the Center’s inauguration, a number of exhibitions have been organized and a series of respected events held at the Center: “Our primary objective is to promote our country in the world, deliver the truth about Azerbaijan to the world community, popularize our culture and, of course, demonstrate the best examples of the world culture in Azerbaijan. The Heydar Aliyev Museum started to function on the occasion of the 90th jubilee of the National Leader in the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center, which has already become a symbol of our country. The exhibition of “Treasures of Azerbaijan” organized here provides visitors with comprehensive information about the history of Azerbaijan and its culture. The “Mini Azerbaijan” exhibition too is of much significance in terms of familiarizing visitors with our historical architectural monuments both in Baku and the regions of Azerbaijan. At the same time, photo-exhibitions organized here too draw much interest.”
Saying that modern art has played a significant role in our life, the Director of the Center specifically underlined the activity of the Museum of Modern Art created in Azerbaijan with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and brought to attention the works done by “YARAT!” Modern Art Place. Anar Alakbarov said the pavilions of Azerbaijan and “YARAT!” Modern Art Space reached great achievements this year at the 55th Venice Biennale. According to Anar Alakbarov, who mentioned that the Azerbaijani pavilion was named among the best 5 pavilions at the Venice Biennale, taking all these achievements into consideration, a decision was made to present an exhibition of Andy Warhol, a famous artist of the 20th century and the founder of the modern art, on the theme of “Life, Death and Beauty” at the Heydar Aliyev Center: “This exhibition will play a significant role in establishing intercultural dialogue, popularization and eternalizing different cultures, including examples of modern art.”
Anar Alakbarov said the Heydar Aliyev Center has, by implementing various projects of local and international levels today in science, education, culture and other fields, contributed to study and development of these spheres: “Today the Center has brought together art-lovers around famous examples of modern art. This exhibition may be considered as one of the successful projects of the Heydar Aliyev Center towards joining different cultures and establishing dialogue between nations.”
Saying some 100 works are displayed at the exhibition, Anar Alakbarov thanked the management of the Andy Warhol Museum, which provided assistance to the organization of the exhibition.
The Director of the Center thanked Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for the support provided to preparation of this project and bringing the works to Azerbaijan, and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva for directly controlling the project.
Deputy Director of the Andy Warhol Museum Patrick Moor said he was pleased to have presented the exhibition of the artist held for the first time in Azerbaijan, at the Heydar Aliyev Center, and noted he was confident visitors would enjoy being at this exhibition.
Curator of the exhibition Gianni Mercurio noted that the holding of this exhibition in Azerbaijan is a significant event in culture. He said he took great pride in the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s participation in this exhibition, and added that the Center will host a number of significant projects and turn Baku into a point where different cultures meet.
Up to 100 works and short films by Andy Warhol, one of the famous representatives of modern art, are displayed at the exhibition held for the first time in Azerbaijan.
Pictures of the artist from the series of portraits and self-portraits, as well as other world-renowned works such as “Flowers” “Camouflage” “The Last Supper”, “Male hand Praying” “Electric Chair” etc. are displayed at the exhibition.
The exhibition allows to not only receive information about Andy Warhol, but also an avant-garde film and pop-art.
With uniqueness of works and distinctive approach to each sample of art, Andy Warhol’s works displayed at the Heydar Aliyev Center are presented in an interesting composition. This composition allows to more closely know the famous artist’s “Life, Death and Beauty” philosophy and see in each of the works the artist’s inner world.
The Andy Warhol Museum, which presents Andy Warhol’s works in a number of museums of the world, has a wide travelling exhibition program. Exhibitions organized by the Museum since 1996 in 40 countries have been attended by over 10 million visitors.
Andy Warhol was born in 1928 in the city of Pittsburgh, the State of Pennsylvania, USA. With his eclectic style, he has been considered the symbol of American culture of 1960s and 1970s. In addition to being an artist, Andy Warhol acted also as an advert illustrator, sculptor, movie producer, video-artist, advert director, TV producer, movie actor, model, short story author, philosopher, playwright, magazine editor, graphics designer, photographer, music producer and pop-stars’ manager.
Andy Warhol died on February 22, 1987.
The exhibition opened in Baku under the theme of “Life, Death and Beauty” will continue until September 9th.
Andy Warhol’s “Life, Death and Beauty” exhibition is the most valuable one displayed so far in Azerbaijan in terms of their values.
