YARAT! Organization presents "H.Z. Taghiyev's hat" project by Farid Rasulov

A presentation of the project of artist Farid Rasulov "H.Z. Taghiyev's hat", organized by the YARAT! nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of contemporary art of Azerbaijan was held on Friday in Baku at seaside boulevard in front of the State Puppet Theater named after Abdullah Shaig. Famous artists and public figures attended the event organized during 012 Baku Public Art Festival.

This art-object represents "papakh" - traditional headwear worn by Caucasian men. It symbolizes masculinity, honor, and dignity of a man in the Caucasus. In other words it emphasizes the characteristics of an eastern male character.

The artists work makes quite a radical statement. We can rarely see men wearing sheepskin hats. There are only, a limited amount of individuals manly from the older generations who reside in the country side. The youth and the artistic elite in the city usually dress according to the latest fashion trends. The remaining wear impersonal "chechenkas" but none have any thought about the headwear's symbolism. Does it have something to do with the lack of tradition and serious spiritual throw-back? The disappearance of sheepskin hats from the wardrobe of a Caucasian man symbolizes the decline of the masculine nature and status. This is not due to fashion. The sheepskin hat as a cultural "brand" might be modified and produced in a number of new and unexpected ways as is usually the case in the fashion industry with regard to many retro items. We have subconscious refusal to wear sheepskin hat as a "brand" of a Caucasian man that to some degree can be interpreted a loss of a male's status in society. In the geographical region as the Caucasus this state of affairs could mean a significant shift of gender roles in society. The artist does not insist on any specific conclusion, this issue is rather controversial. The world we live in today drastically differs from the one that existed a hundred years ago. The artist simply offers us the subject to reflect upon that might seem easy and light-minded (even anecdotal) but it delves upon a serious issue of the transformations in society for the present role of the male gender.

In early October of 1883 Emperor Alexander II came from Tiflis to Baku with his wife, two sons, and countless suit. The railway station was prepared for a grand ceremony: carpets everywhere, lots of flowers, walls painted in flags, fences and flat roofs covered with lightings. Millionaires, noblemen, and merchants were standing on one side, while senior military and civil officials on the other. Soldiers with armed weapons stood alongside forming a solid wall. Zeynalabdin Tagiyev was assigned to greet the Emperor on behalf of people.

The imperial train had stopped at the platform and the Emperor wearing a military gown appeared in a doorway. Everyone except Tagiyev took their hats of. The governor persistently whispered something to him, however Tagiyev didn't pay much attention to it. Surrounded by the governor and city officials Tagiyev approached to welcome the Emperor. The Emperor stared discontented at Tagiyev's sheepskin hat and asked: "Whose subject are you?" Governor once again whispered in Tagiyev's ear: "I'm the subject of your majesty." But Tagiyev responded differently: "I'm the subject of Russian Empire." Alexander II stepped down to the square and got into the carriage.

The 012 Baku Public Art Festival features the work of twenty-one of the finest emerging and established artists in Azerbaijan. Each has been given the task of creating a visual reinterpretation of a setting that holds significance for them within the city. By bringing their work into the public sphere, the artists will gain creative freedom and will achieve a higher level of exposure without the constraints imposed by a gallery or museum.

Works of the following artists will be exhibited: Altai Sadikhzade, Aga Ousseinov, Fuad Salayev, Mammad Mustafayev, Huseyn Haqverdi, Mahmud Rastamov, Teymur Daimi, Niyaz Najafov, Mekhti Mammadov, Rashad Alakbarov, Ali Hasanov, Aida Mahmudova, Faig Ahmed, Farid Rasulov, Leyla Aliyeva, Sitara Ibrahimova, Rashad Babayev, Nail Alakbarov, Orkhan Huseynov, Nazrin Mammadova, Shargiya Rahmanli .

The participating artists belong mainly to a generation of young talent, who have observed the regeneration of Baku, and are passionate about promoting Contemporary Azeri art, whilst staying in touch with their rich cultural heritage.

As part of the 012 Baku Public Art Festival the award-winning film director Rufat Hasanov will be making a documentary to record the project from inception to completion. He will interact with each artist and follow the development of their work in the lead up to the Festival, culminating with the unveiling of the artworks. This film will be shown at the closing ceremony of the 012 Baku Public Art Festival.

Founded in 2011 by Aida Mahmudova, YARAT! is a non-commercial, private organisation dedicated to the promotion and nurturing of Azeri Contemporary art nationally and internationally.


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