ARTIM LAB PARTICIPANT’S GRADUTION SHOW

YARAT Contemporary Art Space is pleased to announce the “Graduation Show” by ARTIM Lab 2017 with works by Shahnaz Aghayeva, Mousa Beyzade, Ilaha Khaliqova, Aydan Mirzayeva, Gafar Rzayev.

During the one-year ARTIM Lab program, the artists have been experimenting with different topics and techniques, gaining experience trough workshops, mentoring’s and lectures. The final exhibition features the result of a research of their graduation essays varying from performance to sculpture exploring themes such as gender, the relationship between artist and nature as well as the temporality of art. 

The work of Shachnas Aghayeva “XX/XY” is a wooden puzzle that, unlike a real puzzle, can be put together in infinite variations. During the exhibition, visitors are invited to connect the pieces of the puzzle. The process, conversations, interactions, and possibly conflicts that arise between them, are an important part of the work. The title of the work indicates that there is a 50/50 percentage possibility of being born either as a man (XY) or as a woman (XX) requiring the participation of both sexes in equal terms in the process of reproduction. The artist reflects that equally valid principle prevailing in nature should also be transferred to society without the preference or disadvantage of one of them. She chose the breast subject as it is one of the first survival instincts of all human beings, which automatically evokes the desire to touch, for this reason she uses a warm, soft wood material, close to human nature, capable of storing heat and energy.

Mousa Beyzade’s installation consists of a bed sheet hanging from the balcony, a sculpture with a hand attached instead of the genitals and glass of clear water. It deals with the topic of feminine purity and revolves around how shame is exposed, such as when the bed sheet remained white after the wedding night. Beyzade explores the absurdity of some assumptions, such as the expectation that pure women have never before touched men, which is impossible in reality. The glass of water not only stands for purity, but confronts the people with their own reflections which aims to initiate process of rethinking. 

Ilaha Khaliqova's performance seeks to question polar gender definitions of corporeality in relation to the public, the private and the spiritual. The work is a continuation of her previous projects explored during ARTIM Lab, such as the interview on transgender or her performative, contemporary interpretation of the statue of a Liberated Women by Fuad Abdurrahmanov. She expands her performance by involving further aspects such as the Hindu divine couple, Radha Krishna, who embodies at once the female (Radha) and male (Krishna) principle.

The work of Aydan Mirzayeva reflects on the relationship between nature and the artist and raises the question: Who dictates whom? In history, artists have always endeavored to reproduce reality as realistically as possible; technical sophistication has defined the artist's quality throughout art history. Conversely, Mirzayeva approaches her work, deliberately letting herself following the structure of the wood, which she highlights with pastel chalk. The annual rings remind the artist different kinds of waves, such as sound or water, the black spots she relates to the human body such as the navel. Every structure tells its own story, which she emphasizes by her technique.

Gafar Rzayev presents a work consisting of a single phrase according the principle “Everything that has a beginning, has an ending”. Having a closer look at art history we see that each art movement has been replaced by another after a certain time of period. By a simple gesture of crossing out “con” the words change its meaning and turn into the term “temporary art”. Using this approach the artist emphasizes the fact that Contemporary Art will be like every other movement end up in the replacement loop of history.

About artists

Mousa Beyzade (b. 1995, Baku). In 2017 he graduted from the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction. His works have been featured in group exhibitions such as the “Futurismo ORA” and “Dysphonia”, ARTIM (2017). In the frame of the ARTIM Lab project 2017 his works were shown in the 24hrs exhibitions such as “100% made in Azerbaijan” curated by Farhad Farzaliyev, “Sifir” curated by Faig Ahmed, “Female Issues: Borderless Conflicts” curated by Sheila Zago, “Monumental” curated by Michael Hirschbichler.

Shahnaz Aghayeva (1984, Sumgait). She received her master’s degree in Graphics at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts in 2010. She taught at the Nizami Educational Center for children and was involved as an artist in the children publication “Oyuncag”. Since 2015 she works as an art teacher at YARAT. Her work was part of group exhibitions in Azerbaijan such as “Sumgait 50”, State Art Gallery Sumgait (2000) and “The Colour of Voices”, Natavan Gallery, Baku (2016) as well as abroad like “Talented Hands” (2006) in Turkey. In the frame of the ARTIM Lab project 2017 her works were shown in the 24hrs exhibitions such as “100% made in Azerbaijan” curated by Farhad Farzaliyev, “Sifir” curated by Faig Ahmed and “Female Issues: Borderless Conflicts” curated by Sheila Zago.

Ilaha Khaliqova (b. 1993, Baku) is studies sculpture at the Art Academy Baku named after Azima Azimzade. She participated in several workshops such as “Redeeming the Everyday” by Mervyn Arthur and Rosell Emanuell (2014), “To Film the Invisible” by Robert Cahen, YARAT (2014) and “From Individual to Collective” by Salam Yousry, YARAT (2014) and the photography workshop by Alain Zimeray, YARAT (2013). Khaliqova’s works were show at 5th International “From Waste to Art” exhibition (2016), “Buta” curated by Aleksandr Dzuba, YARAT (2016), “Invasion. Museum” curated by Sabina Shixlinskaya, ARTIM (2014). In the frame of the ARTIM LAB project 2017 her works were shown in the 24hrs exhibitions sucha as “100% made in Azerbaijan” curated by Farhad Farzaliyev, “Sifir” curated by Faig Ahmed and “Monumental” curated by Michael Hirschbichler.

Aydan Mirzayeva (b. 1992, Baku) graduated from the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts in Industrial Design (2010-2014). Her works were showcased in exhibitions such as “Imagine We Are Not Here” curated by Chingiz Babayev (2012), “Zavod”, Bakond, curated by Faig Ahmed (2013), “From waste to art”, International Exhibition Baku (2014), Islamic Arts Festival, Sharja, UAE (2015), “To Be Surprised, To Surprise” (2016). Aydan Mirzayeva is participating in the ARTIM Lab project 2017. In the frame of the ARTIM Lab project 2017 her works were shown in the 24hrs exhibitions sucha as “100% made in Azerbaijan” curated by Farhad Farzaliyev, “Sifir” curated by Faig Ahmed, “Female Issues: Borderless Conflicts” curated by Sheila Zago and “Monumental” curated by Michael Hirschbichler.

Gafar Rzayev (b. 1993, Ganja) after two years of undergraduate studies at Ganja State University, he quitted the school to devote his time and energy to art. His street art and graffiti works started appearing on the wall on Ganja city starting from 2016; besides that Qafar is also engaged in painting, conceptual art, and graphic design. Having participated in a group exhibition organized by ARTIM by YARAT, Gafar currently explores the artistic dimensions of shabaka, an Azerbaijani national ornament, and is engaged in the research on the archeomodern nature of Azerbaijani culture and society. In the frame of the ARTIM Lab project 2017 his works were shown in the 24hrs exhibitions sucha as “100% made in Azerbaijan” curated by Farhad Farzaliyev, “Sifir” curated by Faig Ahmed, “Female Issues: Borderless Conflicts” curated by Sheila Zago and “Monumental” curated by Michael Hirschbichler.

About ARTIM Lab

YARAT Contemporary Art Space presents ARTIM LAB project – a yearlong studio practice and workshops for people of 18 – 30 years old. A proven artistic practice or enrolment in an art school or academy is a requirement. The main goal is to give an opportunity to engage in contemporary forms of art through experimental practices, try out different media and artistic strategies, the capacity of verbalizing the idea of the work. YARAT provides shared studios throughout duration of the training program, consistent dialogue with YARAT’s curatorial team, extracurricular activities (meeting the artist and etc.), Four 24-hour presentations and one final show at ARTIM Project Space. ARTIM Lab requires commitment investing in theory and knowledge through YARAT Academy and engage into daily studio practice, generate new ideas and produce new works. If you are interest please send us your portfolio by March 5, 2018 to artimlab@yarat.az.

Opening Date: 2nd of March 2018, 7 pm

Artist Talk: 7th of March, 7 pm

Address: ARTIM Project Space Old City, Boyuk Gala Street 30, 001A 

Admission: free

Exhibition dates: March 2 – 16, 2018

Working hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12 pm – 8pm

For more information: 012 505 1414