We've been setting this exhibition up for nearly two years. I believe that its language – the language of Art – eloquently conveys the great accomplishments our country has made in all spheres of achievement.
On the eve of the inauguration of an exhibition comprised of works by Andy Warhol, a famous artist of the 20th century, to take place with joint support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Andy Warhol Museum on June 21st at the Heydar Aliyev Center within the framework of the joint project by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Center, a catalogue covering the reproduction of the world renowned artist’s works has been printed out in Azerbaijani and English.
Thoughts of Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, about this exhibition of a world-renowned American artist have been given on the first page of the catalogue.
Mentioning that Azerbaijan was a country distinguished by its old history and traditions, Leyla Aliyeva says that different cultures, civilizations of the East and the West, the past and the present come together here, and with its old traditions, Azerbaijan is known today also as a country of modern art.
Leyla Aliyeva emphasized that recently Baku has hosted a number of international events, conferences covering various areas, as well as festivals and contests: “And this time Baku is on the focus of attention with another significant event. An exhibition of works by Andy Warhol, an artist, who has carved his name into the art history, is held for the first time in Azerbaijan, at the Heydar Aliyev Center.
Eternalizing our historic traditions and cultural image, the Heydar Aliyev Center, in addition to modern art projects, supports today building a bridge between the Eastern and Western cultures, popularization of the Azerbaijani culture and art in the world and samples of the world civilization in Azerbaijan.
From this standpoint, the exhibition of Andy Warhol “Life, Death and Beauty” is a successful project in terms of popularizing and eternalizing the modern art.
I would like to once more thank all art-lovers on the holding of this exhibition and I’m confident this historical cultural event will have pleasant impression on you.”
The catalogue contains also thoughts of Director of the Andy Warhol Museum Eric Shiner and curator of the exhibition Gianni Mercurio about the exhibition.
The publication contains also information related to Andy Warhol’s life and multilateral creativity, the essence of his symbolic images, portraits, self-portraits, the theme of life, death and beauty in the author’s works, as well views of pop-art.
Talking of the excitement over the first presentation of Andy Warhol’s works in Azerbaijan, Director of the Museum Eric Shiner thinks those visiting the exhibition will have a chance to learn the artist’s influence on mass culture and have comprehensive information about his views of an “American dream”.
Thanking the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the organization of the exhibition, curator Gianni Mercurio is confident that in future the Centre will host many significant events and turn Baku into a centre, where different cultures will come together.