Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

A solo exhibition of talented artist Agil Abdullayev opened at ARTIM Project Space on November 3.

The exhibition "Shy Boy of the Pink Future" showcases the influence of social media on the future of Azerbaijani society in terms of gathering information, formation of opinions. It's about a young generation with a new self- and social awareness blurring boundaries between the digital and real, detaching from rigid definitions on gender, culture and nation.

The exhibition explores how dynamics of social media have changed the way citizens engage in public discussions, providing them low-cost routes into socially relevant topics. It has lowered barriers of participation and inequality in engagement. Furthermore, social media allows citizens to consume, produce and distribute and comment on news and information thereby brings new opportunities to persuade socially. The exhibition discloses these tools associated with social media having a crucial impact on opinion making in the future.

The project curator Anna Feh told Trend Life that the exhibition suggests that social media will become an important part of our future.

She also stressed that the exhibition is divided into two parts - the first part showcases the artist's personal approach, while the second presents the social networks.

"The artist calls people into this world because there they can feel more secure," she added.

According to the curator of the project, the exhibition tells about some tools related to social networks, which in the future will play a decisive role in shaping public opinion.

Agil Abdullayev stresses that along with changes in the architecture and appearance of the city, people are also changing, and the exhibition shows these changes.

"The exhibition demonstrates an objective and subjective view on this topic. Most of the information is taken from social networks and media resources. The exhibition explores how the rapid development of social networks has changed the ways people engage in public discussions, opening up to them the most accessible ways of discussing socially important topics," said the artist.

Agil Abdullayev's artistic style is determined by a personal approach using himself as a research object: an artist born in the 90s, with social media as an integral part of his everyday life, who studied abroad and returned recently. In the entrance area, the artist welcomes the visitor in his video work introducing the exhibition. The work comments on moments of control and oversight intending to create a feeling of overview and security for the visitor.

In his work "Arrival (I must say)”, the artist analyses his foreign view on the familiar describing his arrival from the UK in form of a visual essay considering architectural changes and cultural differences. Along with his work "Where is Tural?", it deals with the representation of masculine culture and boyhood in the context of prevailing traditional views. The left wing of the exhibition paves its way from the personal to the collective.

Abdullayev’s sound installation draws on the sound material of international leaders, which testifies his analysis of public discourse and the interest of a young audience on socio-political issues. The work "Pink City" plays with the idea of an imaginary shelter, where everyone feeling in danger can be beamed through future cyber inventions of the digital age. Throughout the exhibition, space QR codes are distributed inviting visitors to read articles serving as research material for the works.

Agil Abdullayev (b. 1992, Baku) primarily works in the medium of moving image, performance and photography. His practice examines the contrast between the East and West related to subjects such as public and private life, gender, social media culture, utopia and futurism bridging spaces in between these subjects. Abdullayev graduated this year from BA Fine Arts with First Class Honour at Nottingham Trent University and has been selected for Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2018 as well been a recipient of "Attic Residency" by One Throsby Street in Nottingham, UK. Abdullayev’s works were shown in group and solo exhibitions such as the Liverpool Biennial, 2018; Primary Contemporary Art Space, 2017; The Wrong - New Digital Art Biennale, 2017; Tate Modern, 2016; Yarat Pavilion at 4th Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, 2012. Currently, Agil Abdullayev lives and works in Baku.

ARTIM is directed at young Azerbaijani artists with an intention to support and encourage emergent talent to grow. The program has a designated exhibition space in Icherisheher that was conceived as a platform for experimenting and professionally showcasing art. Artworks resulting from the program are exhibited at the ARTIM Project Space, Baku.

The exhibition will last until November 30. Admission is free.

Working hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12 pm – 8pm

Address: ARTIM Project Space Old City (Icherisheher) Boyuk Gala Street 30, 001A

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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