Multidisciplinary artist Aidan Salakhova’s inaugural large-scale
museum exhibition, “Voices of Silence,” will be presented at YARAT
Contemporary Art Space on June 13, Azernews
reports.
“Voices of Silence” is Aidan Salahova’s first large-scale museum
exhibition in Baku.
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 combating 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. The exhibition is
curated by Farah Alakbarli.
Aidan Salahova (b. 1964, Moscow) is an artist, sculptor, and
teacher. In 1987, she graduated from the V.I. Surikov Moscow State
Academic Art Institute. Since 1988, she has been a member of the
USSR Union of Artists. Aidan Salahova was one of the organisers and
co-authors of the “First Gallery,” which was considered the first
contemporary art gallery to open in Moscow (1989-1992).
Later, she founded the “Aidan” Gallery, which operated from 1992
to 2012. In 2002, the artist was awarded the silver medal of the
Russian Academy of Arts.
From 2002 to 2007, Aidan Salahova was a corresponding member of
the Russian Academy of Arts, and since 2007, she has been a full
member.
In her art, Aidan Salahova explores the interactions between
East and West, internal prohibitions and freedom, male and female
beginnings, as well as the role of women in the world and their
image in art.
The artist has held several solo exhibitions, including L’escala
daurada (Imaginart, Spain, 2023); Hidden Ornament (Triumph Gallery,
Russia, 2022); New Saints (Marble Palace of the Russian Museum,
Russia, 2021); The Dust Became the Breath (Gazelli Art House, UK,
2021); Vices et vertus (Saint Loup Church, Belgium, 2017);
Stability (Cuadro Contemporary Art Gallery, UAE, 2017), and
others.
She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions,
including La Voz Velada (La Neomudejar Museum, Spain, 2024);
Compressed Memory (Gazelli Art House, Azerbaijan, 2023); Fragility
(MIA Art Collection, UAE, 2023); Named Vasari. Revival (Arsenal,
Volga-Vyatka branch of the State Museum of Fine Arts named after
A.S. Pushkin, Russia, 2022); Private Space (RuArts Gallery, Russia,
2022); the 17th Istanbul Biennale (2022); My One and Only (Mario
Mauroner Contemporary Art, Austria, 2022), among others.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr
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