Dear Beloved
March 11–June 4, 2017
YARAT Centre
Bayil District, National Flag Square
AZ 1003 Baku
Azerbaijan
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 12–8pm
T +994 12 505 14 14
info@yarat.az
Orkhan Huseynov created three large-scale new productions. The works draw upon alternative realities and fake stories that have become a part of our daily life, our conversations and information gathering. Most of those narratives spread through internet news sites, mail, social media… Much like what happens in the political world today, the works of Huseynov expose the notions true or false as irrelevant, offering possibility and credibility as a popular alternative.
Especially the notion of credibility is a central subject within the works that meandering between reality, fiction and scam. Within each project Huseynov employs the language and techniques of one specific medium; literature, television or popular songs, mastering humor, irony, compassion and drama to involve the viewer emotionally into the narratives.
Dear Beloved contradicts, exposes and undermines the possibilities within narratives. It addresses fake stories while investigating and recognizing their cultural value, as literature, music or popular television.
Curated by Bjorn Geldhof
About the artist
Orkhan Huseynov (b. 1978) currently lives and works in Baku. He graduated from the Faculty of Ceramic Design at A. Azimzadeh State Art College in Baku in 1995, and from the Faculty of Ceramic Design at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art in 1999. He received his Master’s degree in 2000 from the Faculty of Art History and Theory at Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Art in Baku. He uses a wide range of materials and media, creating thought-provoking, ironic gestures that are often subverting and de-constructing political-cultural narratives in Azerbaijan. He works in the fields of installation, painting and video. Huseynov’s solo shows were presented at V.Samedova Art Salon Baku, Azerbaijan, 1999 and 2003; “Humay” Azeri Cultural Center, London, UK, 2000; VakifBank, Ankara, Turkey, 2000; Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, 2003; The Office. KicikQalart, Baku, 2013. Orkhan Huseynov has been widely exhibited in group shows, including Aluminium 2, international festival of contemporary art, Baku. Second Prize, 2005; 52nd and 55th Venice Biennale - Azerbaijani Pavilion; STEPS OF TIME - Contemporary Art from Azerbaijan Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau, Dresden, 2008; Aidan Gallery, Moscow, 2010; Fly to Baku Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, MAXXXI, Rome, ME Collectors, Berlin, Hotel Salomon Rotschild, Paris, Phillips de Pury gallery, London, 2013–14; VIENNAFAIR - Poetics of the Ordinary, 2014; Meeting Point Cuadro gallery, Dubai, 2015.
