Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.15
Trend Life:
YARAT, a not-for-profit art organization based in Baku, Azerbaijan participated in Contemporary Istanbul international art fair. The presentation featured a video work from 2007 by Orkhan Huseynov (b. 1978) entitled War on 30th February which explores depictions of conflict within the media.
Huseynov's presentation was part of the non-profit section of the fair which featured thirteen invited art organizations this year. For War on 30th February, Huseynov created "documentary" footage of a war that never happened. The artist combined hazy images of Baku's industrial district with an explosive soundscape imitating that of films shot by war-reporters or eyewitnesses. The work explores the falsities inherent within the editing process, calling into question the veracity of film-based media. By referencing a date that does not exist, the title reflects the fact that the footage memorializes an event that has been created by the artist.
Orkhan Huseynov, who lives and works in Baku, is part of a generation of Azerbaijani artists that has gained recognition in recent years. He has worked with YARAT on numerous projects since its foundation in 2011, including Love Me, Love Me Not at the Venice Biennale in 2013. In 2014 Huseynov's work was selected by Slavs and Tatars for Art Dubai's Marker section for non-profits and his work featured in Vienna Fair's Focus exhibition for non-profits in 2014.
YARAT had a second project at Contemporary Istanbul through their social enterprise YAY Gallery. The gallery was founded by YARAT in 2012 and shows work by pioneering Azerbaijani and international artists. The proceeds of sales are shared between the artist and YARAT. YAY Gallery's
stand featured a photographic series by artist Sanan Aleskerov and sculptures by artist Chingiz Babayev.
About YARAT Contemporary Art Organisation
YARAT is a not-for-profit organization, based in Baku, Azerbaijan. YARAT was founded by Aida Mahmudova and a group of artists in 2011 and is dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art in Azerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art, both nationally and internationally.
YARAT has commissioned over 80 projects to date. In Baku, YARAT has led a varied education programme for multiple audiences, hosted film festivals, created two public art festivals, produced exhibitions around the city, commissioned artists and forged collaborations with museums and institutions in Azerbaijan and neighbouring countries. In 2012, YARAT opened a social enterprise YAY Gallery, where proceeds are shared between the artists and YARAT. In 2014 YARAT opened a new building housing artists' studios and apartments for its artist-in-residence programme.
About Contemporary Istanbul
The 9th edition of Contemporary Istanbul, the leading international art fair that draws attention to the dynamic art scene of this unique metropolis, took place at the Istanbul Congress Centre (ICC) and the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICEC).
