Summer 1999 (7.2)

Babayev, Rasim - Volcano - Erupt if You Can!
Abdullayev, Hamza - In Search of Eternal Light

Najafov, Fazil - New Era - New Commands

Mirjavad, Javad - Artist as Prophet and Seer

Khalilov, Farhad - Struggle Matures Artists

Rasim Babayev

Volcano - Erupt if You Can! "During the Soviet period, we had to rise against the system in order to make art independent from it. Today, art is free and independent. If someone is a genuine artist, he can take advantage of this freedom. Being an artist is like being a volcano, if you're able to erupt, then do it; if not, then keep silent." Rasim Babayev (1927-2007), social critic and one of Azerbaijan's most well-known artists anticipated the collapse of the Soviet Union and dedicated many of his works to themes related to its disintegration. See article on page 45 and samples of his work in AI 3.1 (Spring 1995).

Hamza Abdullayev

In Search of Eternal Light "Art is my life! Everything that surrounds me arouses feelings in my heart. If I couldn't transfer these feelings onto canvas, life would lose its meaning. If I couldn't create, then I couldn't live. Perhaps creating is like a biological process or like God's creation of mountains and valleys. . . When my work is in progress, I'm like a man surrounded by darkness seeking the light. And the light I am longing for is the light of Truth. If the work turns out all right, if I have been able to sing my song in the language of art, then I feel at ease. It's a joy that I cannot describe in words because life is transient but art is eternal." Hamza Abdullayev (1946- ) describing the artistic process he feels when he is painting. See article on page 74.

Fazil Najafov

New era-New commands "For artists in Azerbaijan today, it's as if an army general has commanded his soldiers to take off their heavy shoulder straps and cumbersome waist belts and be free. It's as if he told them: "Go and do what you are able to do." If you're an artist capable of doing something, if you are someone who really comprehends what art is, you'll be able to achieve something. Those who are not able to create something are in an awkward situation. Unfortunately, many artists have succumbed to the whim of commercialization, to the wish of customers. Not all artists, of course. There are still those who create real art." Fazil Najafov (1935- ), one of Azerbaijan's most distinguished sculptors was awarded the Grand Prize by fellow artists for being the "Most Disgraced of the Most Talented Artists" at the Tbilisi Biennial Art Exhibition in 1986. See article on page 60 and samples of his work in AI 3.1 (Spring 1995).

Javad Mirjavad

Artist as Prophet and Seer "In our language, the word "rassam" (painter) means a person who can foretell the future. A painter ranks art, his creative activity, higher than life itself. Art always precedes science, opening up broad horizons for thinking and enabling people to understand themselves and their surroundings. It helps them to see realities that escape the glance of the naked eye. An artist is a prophet. Painting is not a profession; it is a gift bestowed by God." Javad Mirjavad (1923-1992) in his diary, written while he was recuperating from a heart attack in 1983. See article on page 31.

Farhad Khalilov

Struggle Matures Artists "I speak about the 1960s because I grew up during that period and it was then that Azerbaijani art was developing its own ideology [separate from the Soviet system]. We always had difficulties; artists were expressing their thoughts in their works despite the fact that they were not allowed to get them exhibited. Nevertheless, artists struggled against these repressive attitudes. Today we can say that there is no struggle. We have many talented young artists and whenever I meet them, I somehow feel pity that they haven't had the chance to struggle through this same process." Farhad Khalilov (1947- ) became the first elected Head of the Artist's Union (1987- ) in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period. Even more surprising to the intellectuals was the fact that he won the position despite the fact that he had no affiliation with the Communist Party. See article on page 70.

From Azerbaijan International (7.2) Summer1999.
© Azerbaijan International 1999. All rights reserved.

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