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Sculptor Khanlar Gasimov: “I tried to show Nasimi philosophy in “Ocaq” monument in Cleveland” - INTERVIEW – PHOTOSESSION
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09 Sep 2009 12:53 ]
“Figures of poets and writers are not sculptured now. Figurative art is ended”
Baku. Ulkar Gasimova – APA. Azerbaijani sculptor living in the United States, author of Azerbaijani Park in Cleveland Khanlar Gasimov’s interview with APA
- You had great role in planting of Azerbaijani Park in Cleveland. Was it difficult to do that?
- It was very sensitive and honorable work for me to realize this idea. It was first Azerbaijani Park in the United States and it should be in a high level from view of 21st century’s art. The park should popularize Azerbaijan in the United States. I made own proposals when I was invited to this work. The project “Ocaq” was most welcomed and approved proposal. Then we began construction. Some groups in Cleveland tried to prevent us during the two-year work there. A territory of 120 ha, where the park was planted, was purchased by John Rockefeller in 1897 and donated to the city. The cultural gardens were planted in 20-25 hectares. Totally more than 30 countries, including Britain, Italy, Germany planted their parks in that territory over 90 years. We have begun to plant Azerbaijani Park there since 2007.
-You noted that there were some protests against Azerbaijani Park…
-Azerbaijan is an only Muslim country, which has a park in Cleveland. Therefore we faced with pressure. Americans cautiously look at the flags with half-moon and star after the September 2001 events. We undertook to prove that it was incorrect attitude. The president of Park Federation told “I know the art has positive influence on the people and I will do my best for planting of this park”. He never was in Azerbaijan and had poor idea about the country. He understood our concept and said that he would make all efforts to support us.
Cleveland City’s Board of Governors invited us and protesters to the debates. The park’s president and a sculptor together with me protected the project in that meeting. The protesters showed some documents trying to bring arguments against the park and raised some political and direct problems. I described the project’s concept and said that the monument to be erected there would reveal an essence of the park. “Ocaq” was made from stainless steel and it will be glossed as a mirror. I realized this concept basing on the Azerbaijani culture and I tried to show Imaddadin Nasimi’s philosophy. The bottom side symbolizes earth and top – the sky. It is a symbol of Azerbaijan’s cultural and spiritual greatness and its harmony with nature symbolizes relations of Azerbaijan with other countries. I wanted to make it to cause interest of visitors and to make them to search answers to their questions about Azerbaijan and to learn more about the country. After that I expressed my thoughts, the Board of Governors supported our project. I witnessed Hafiz Pashayev’s wise policy during the solution of problems related to the park planting. A great opening ceremony of the park was organized by our ambassador to U.S. Yashar Aliyev. Representative of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Cleveland Tahir Gasimov also made great contribution to this work. I want to thank these persons. We chose such place for the monument that it can be seen from all sides.
- Who put forward the idea of Azerbaijani Park in Cleveland?
- When the late president Heydar Aliyev underwent treatment in Cleveland Clinic he visited this park together with Hafiz Pashayev and they saw that many countries are represented there and idea of raising Azerbaijani flag there was created in that time.
- Why didn’t you sculpture monument of cultural or political figures of Azerbaijan and addressed such abstract genre?
- They don’t allow monuments of political figures in that park. Only cultural figures can be sculptured there. I got education on figurative art. I worked for Madame Tussauds for two years. It is not problem for me to sculpture an exact character, but it is old idea. Figures of poets and writers are not sculptured now. Figurative art is ended. The modern art can be more communicative with the viewers than figurative art. The tendency of figurative genre remains in some post-soviet countries. There are figurative sculptures in the parks planted 100-200 years ago. You can’t see it in the modern parks. The new parks and landscape are different in the developed countries now.
- Is it possible to plant such modern parks in Azerbaijan?
- Of course it is possible and necessary. We shouldn’t wait and we have to create these parks. We have very beautiful city and landscape. There are many positive developments in the city now. New parks are planted in Baku. I can’t say that it is done in high level or not, but it is important that there is an intention. I am glad that best architects of the world as Zaha Hadid and Jean Nouvel were involved in construction of buildings in Baku. We have to make these parks according to the requirements of 21st century that it will be proudly shown to the foreigners. We have to involve far-sighted people to this work that the buildings constructed today will not look old tomorrow.
- How will you accept invitation to plant such modern park in Azerbaijan?
- I will accept it positively.
-You repeatedly emphasize that our country is beautiful. Then why you are living in the United States?
- I want to learn the world art completely. The best modern art is in America, in New York. I saw art works in Europe and in other states of USA, but when I came to New York I saw that best modern works are there. All novelties are made in New York and the art works receive best values there.
They love innovations, there are great intellectuals there. A master should go ahead as a locomotive, his followers should understand him. If everybody understands, it can not be something genius. Of course, intellectual level of a master should be capable of bringing innovations.
-A lot of talented people of Azerbaijan work abroad. Don’t you think it would be more praiseworthy if such talented people work in the motherland?
-I think every talented Azerbaijani living abroad first of all lives for his motherland. My living and working in America is a positive case not only for me, but also for Azerbaijan. I do my best for Azerbaijan. I was representative of Community Board, we carried out a lot of social activities during Karabakh war. After our state was formed perfectly, we began to do our work. We can give example Azerbaijan’s “Hearth” Park in Cleveland. There are Azerbaijani societies in the US, I also worked in these societies. But there is no society of artists in Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations.
-Are you going to teach in Azerbaijan the practice you gained in various countries, especially in the US?
-Teaching is one of the main problems for Azerbaijan. I studied in the Palace of Pioneers named after Yuri Gagarin, Azerbaijan State Art School named after Azim Azimzadeh and faculty of sculpture in Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art. Only figurative art is taught in Azerbaijan. Our teachers studied in Russia and they taught Soviet realism. I knew that Soviet realism will come to an end one day. We were only taught figurative art. Human anatomy, how he will stand, how he will look, that is classic art. But it is not even classic, it is something formed within 70-80 years. Real art is quite different. Figurativeness and modern art exist in the western art. Modern art developed so that figurative art became useless. Of course there are people who love this art, but now it is impossible without modern art. Speaking about figurative art you restrict yourself, but modern art may give quite another superior notion. Modern art is not taught in our country. Young generation is unaware of modern art. There is little information, there are a lot of shortfalls in teaching. In order to teach modern art here, we should begin from this. Otherwise, an odd vacuum will appear.
-Someone may lay its foundation…
-But there are a lot of factors to solve this problem, moral and material factors. There should be some conditions so that the artist may come and teach his practice here. There are broad opportunities in Azerbaijan, but we have one shortfall. For example, I see the state as a human being. All parts of the body should work for the body can function rightly. The same can be said about the state. This should be taught to the young generation. Civilized upbringing of the young generation is the main factor here and it is our duty to bring up civilized generation. For this purpose we should bring the modern and positive culture here. Formation of civilized generation is connected with teaching, neighboring nations will not change us.
-How do you assess the reconstruction in Baku?
-I have recently gone to Icherisheher and was pleased to see the changes. I hope this work is done by professionals. Some reconstruction is being made. Of course, the work should be done so that it does not change the appearance of the monuments. It is not right to knock down a wall dating back to the 12th century and build another one. It is inadmissible. If this happens, we will forget our history. We will fail to prove anything in future.
-You have done much for Azerbaijan, but your activity is not covered in media.
-To tell the truth, I have never wanted to appear on television or press. Today the main reason of my speaking is Azerbaijani Park built in Cleveland. I have never been interested in this. But this time I thought that this is our park, some events should be held there. Maybe our Diaspora is unaware of this park. This park has been built for promotion of our culture. We should contact our Diaspora in the US in order to promote out culture. We can advance only if we promote our culture.
-Do you have a studio in America?
-Yes I do, and I spend much time there. I have recently begun working with rice, silicon and other new materials. This is the new kind of modern art.
- What are your plans concerning Azerbaijan? Do you plan any master classes and trainings on modern art?
-It is our duty to help teach positive thoughts to the youth and form new way of thinking of the young generation. The progress will be made only when we think what we can do for our motherland.
-Are you going to exhibit your works in Azerbaijan?
-I plan to hold an exhibition. This will not be my individual exhibition. This exhibition will be similar to the one held in Warsaw Modern Art Center. I will participate in the exhibition along with other artists.
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