BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. A solo exhibition “Voices of Silence” by Aidan Salakhova, Azerbaijani and Russian artist, and a group exhibition “Unobservable dreams” were presented at the YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Trend reports.
“Voices of Silence” marks Aidan Salakhova’s inaugural large-scale museum exhibition in Baku. Commissioned by YARAT, the exhibition confronts the globally pertinent issue of domestic violence while amplifying the voices of its victims. Through her project, the artist delves into the emotional terrain of domestic violence, illuminating the fears and despair experienced by victims. The exhibition showcases an installation comprising 12 towering jugs crafted from white stone aghlay glass, representing the artist’s maiden venture into incorporating local stone into her works.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the sound emanating from these jugs – each one briefly narrates the tragic stories of domestic violence victims spanning the past 12 years, shedding light on these issues not only in Azerbaijan but also in other nations. These voices create a poignant contrast between the aesthetic allure of the installation and the harrowing narratives, underscoring the imperative for society to acknowledge and combat instances of domestic violence.
Evoking a symbol of hope and remembrance, the installation “Voices of Silence” prompts contemplation on denouncing all forms of violence and the imperative of actively combatting it. The exhibition provides an informative and secure space for fostering dialogue, comprehension, and solidarity, advocating for a society where silence surrounding domestic violence is shattered, and where individuals can live free from fear and violence.
“Unobservable dreams” focuses on the diverse realities of society and the contrasting desires arising from them. The exhibition explores how social values and economic prosperity are replaced by crises in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world, and how these changes impact different layers of society. This results in a more nuanced and complex societal landscape, reflecting its sensitive and multifaceted nature.
The artists, adapting mythological references to contemporary realities, attempt to “voice” the “unobservable” dreams of their characters through their video works. The exhibition opens with Shalala Salamzade’s “Dystopia”, created in 2021 for the group exhibition “The City of the Sun”, based on Azerbaijani mythology. It depicts the need for people expelled from a dystopian place to return to an ideal place (utopia). Rasul Guliyev’s three-channel video “Endless race”, also part of the same exhibition, is inspired by the myth of “Pandora’s Box”, illustrating how hope compels people into an unending race.
Italian artist Ryts Monet, a YARAT resident in 2019, in his two-channel video, shares thoughts on a collective desire that can unite all nations in the Eurozone through currency, drawing parallels with the identical architectural and sculptural monuments built throughout the Soviet Union. German artist Timo Herbst, another YARAT resident, in his video “Baku/Bakı – Ana dili”, creates a differentiated and sensitive image of society. Georgian artist Vajiko Chachkhiani’s film “Shivering heart” delves into a famous Georgian fairy tale, exploring unexamined narratives about family, national identity, and concepts of identity.
Completing the exhibition, the video “Astar” (“Back side”) by Zamir Suleymanov and Emin Azizbeyli from YARAT’s collection unveils the “inner life” of Azerbaijani youth through the story of a young boy, addressing the theme of despair that arrives at a certain moment in life when desires and hopes are exhausted.
