An interesting exhibition entitled "Masterpieces of Art" opened at the Museum of Modern Art in Baku on May 4 with the support of the Azerbaijani Culture Foundation.
Azerbaijan`s first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador, MP Mehriban Aliyeva, attended the exhibition.
President of French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, Stanislas de Quercize, Director of Louvre Henri Loyrette, French film star Catherine Deneuve, figures culture and art, and representatives of the diplomatic corps attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition representing historical collection of Arts of Van Cleef & Arpels and original works of Azerbaijani honored artist Aliyar Alimirzayev.
The famous company Van Cleef & Arpels was created in 1896 in Paris. Jewelry manufactured by the company is recognized as the world's masterpieces of art. In the early 20th century, beginning from the Indian Maharajah to the Duchess of Windsor, a member of the royal family, a wealthy and influential Grace Kelly, Hollywood stars, favored jewelry company Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished by its elegance and sophistication. The company's historical collection is exhibited at the most famous museums in the world.
The Masterpieces of Art exhibition is dedicated to four key themes that form the basis of the creative world of Van Cleef & Arpels: Nature, the Eastern world, High Fashion and Invisible Frame. Each topic is presented at the exhibition separately .
The Masterpieces of Art exhibition, blending two different styles of expression sharing the same creative idea, demonstrates the cultural dialogue between France and Azerbaijan. One branch of the creative idea has been embodied in the production of Van Cleef & Arpels, and another - in Alimirzayev's works. Therefore, Alimirzayev's works and unique pieces of Van Cleef & Arpels remarkably complete each other.
During the exhibition, Deneuve told Mrs. Aliyeva that Asia and the East are among the most favorite topics for Van Cleef & Arpels. Architecture, applied and decorative arts of these cultures had a strong influence on the original and unique products of Van Cleef & Arpels. The collection authors' most works were inspired by the magical, mysterious and exciting world of fairy tales "Thousand and One Nights" and the legends about the Silk Road. The splendor of many empires lives in this jewelry. These works of art, consisting of colored stones, remind the Egyptian pyramids and the era of the pharaohs.
The unique beauty of nature has become a great inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels since 1920. These unique designs reflecting the spirit of naturalism and freedom of artistic taste are distinguished with elegance and refinement. Demonstration of the boundless wonders of nature today remains one of the topics, to which the brand most often refers.
Van Cleef & Arpels is closely linked with the beauty and high fashion. This is not surprising, as Paris is considered the center of fashion and beauty. Paris inspired Van Cleef & Arpels to create a range of accessories. Evening bags, minaudières and cigarette cases meet the most demanding customers' taste.
Since its establishment Van Cleef & Arpels has been constantly searching for perfection, and sought to show the beauty of gemstones in their entire splendor. However, the company's specialists faced with difficulties while addressing this problem. Thus, the heavy frame of the ornaments became a problem for even the lightest items. Jewellers-inventors searched for substitute for metal corsets for a long time. Finally, a legendary invisible border was created in 1933. Its secret is a very thin gold chain. The stones are fixed up on an outline of that network. This exclusive technology allows demonstrating the beauty, originality, lightness and brightness of the stones. Invisible borders are subject for the brand and are transmitted from one generation to another.
After becoming acquainted with jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels, Mrs.Aliyeva viewed Alimirzayev's works. His works are paradoxical as sleep, and the diversity of his unexpected, bright and pale colors contains a certain melancholy. This magical expressionism reminds oriental tales. That is why the artist's works and jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels complement each other on the ideological expression.
Alimirzayev was awarded "Grand Prix" at the international exhibition Grands et Jeunes in Paris in 2004. Inspiring from the unique patterns of jewelry brand Van Cleef & Arpels, Alimirzayev skillfully united world of women and jewelry in his creative imagination and has created a number of original works. His works combine high fantasy and figurative approach. The artist's works have been exhibited in Moscow, Paris, Washington, Copenhagen, Seoul, Beijing, Istanbul and Berlin and stored in private collections in different countries.
Leitmotif of products showcased at the Museum of Modern Art can be briefly expressed as follows: samples of art that embodies a combination of tenderness and beauty.
The exhibition, which shows unique examples of art, was of great interest of visitors.
The exhibition is to last by June 5.
