BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. YARAT Contemporary Art Space rolled out the red carpet for the exhibition "Beyond Utility," featuring Azerbaijani artist Aida Mahmudova, alongside a one-day symposium titled "Art and Climate Change" as part of the COP29 events from November 11 through 13, 2024, TurkicWorld reports.
"Beyond Utility is a tapestry woven from the threads of Aida Mahmudova's artistic explorations and profound inquiries into the rich tapestry of Azerbaijan's cultural legacy. Like a painter capturing the whispers of the wind and the dance of the leaves, the artist weaves the enchanting tapestry of nature's grandeur—its breathtaking vistas, vibrant creatures, and ever-changing skies—into her creations. In the tapestry of recent years, she has woven her creations from the threads of nature, each piece a symphony of textures and a dance of unique compositions.
In crafting her exhibition, Aida Mahmudova didn't just stick to her guns in the studio. She joined forces with local artisans to put a modern spin on the age-old traditions of Azerbaijani art. Her 2024 ceramic series, titled "Beyond Utility," dives deep into the material and narrative, stitching together a poetic bridge between tradition and modernity by giving classic clay vessels a fresh spin. Inspired by her photo archive of Azerbaijani landscapes, Mahmudova employs decal techniques to illustrate personal stories and memories throughout the series.
The Art and Climate Change Symposium was all about painting the town green, keeping the planet in tip-top shape, and laying the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow. This one-of-a-kind event was brought to life by the creative spark of Aida Mahmudova. The speakers at the symposium, which featured panel sessions on four topics, were brought in from all corners of the globe.
The subject of Panel 1: Programming Eco Agendas in Cultural Institutions
Speakers: Will Glendinning (Saudi Arabia), ElmurodNajimov (Uzbekistan), Jamila Nurkalieva (Kazakhstan)
Moderator: Zahra Mammadova
The subject of Panel 2: Sustainability and the Art Market
Speakers: Leila Heller (New York/Dubai), Aleksei Afanasiev (UAE), Meagan Horsman (UAE)
Moderator: Mila Askarova (Founding Director of Gazelli Art House, Azerbaijan/UK)
The subject of Panel 3: Keynote Presentation on the Post-Socialist Anthropocene in the Visual Arts
Speaker: Reuben Fowkes (UK)
The subject of Panel 4: Presentation of the Special Issue of Vision Art Platform Magazine
Speaker: Firat Arapoglu (Istanbul, Türkiye)
