ETERNAL STRUGGLE OF FEELINGS AND THE BRAIN

On 11 May, at the foot of the Maiden Tower, as part of the first festival of the non-profit making organization "YARAT!" 012 Baku Public Art, there was a presentation of "The Brain", a work by Leyla Aliyeva, artist and vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyeva Foundation, was present at the event. Leyla Aliyeva said that her work "The Brain" was extremely paradoxical and for that reason hyper-symbolic.

This non-traditional type of architecture that the artist has created reflects not the brain but a three-dimensional plastic "image" of the brain. According to Leyla Aliyeva, the point of her work is, on the one hand, to emphasize the contradiction between feelings and common sense, and on the other to show the unity of our emotional and rational sides. The central figure of the sculpture is a man swallowing his own brain, indicating the victory of feelings over common sense.

Leyla Aliyeva expressed her gratitude to Aida Mahmudova, the head of the non-profit making organization "YARAT!", for organizing this festival which shows works by creative people. When we study the work we perceive "The Brain" as a symbol of high spiritual synthesis.

During the rule of the Shirvanshas Baku, which was thriving and becoming renowned as a symbol of the Heart, was transformed into one of the most beautiful and extraordinary cities of the region and became a lively centre of intellectual activity, perceived as a symbol of the Brain. Baku may be perceived as a symbol of high spiritual synthesis. "The Brain", which visualises the physical heart precisely from this point of view, is presented as a symbol of the city of Baku.

We should point out that Leyla Aliyeva studied world politics at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. As founder of "Baku" magazine, she is also in the forefront of the development of Azerbaijani culture. Her characteristic and expressive graphical works are kept in a collection at the Museum of Modern Art in Baku.

Leyla Aliyeva's works were exhibited in 2011 at the Second International Festival at the Maiden Tower in Baku, at the "Foreword" exhibition organized by "Scope of Contemporary Art - YARAT!"

It was Leyla Aliyeva's idea to organize the exhibition "Flight to Baku: Contemporary Art of Azerbaijan", which was produced in 2012 at the renowned London exhibition gallery Philips de Pury & Company and the renowned Parisian mansion Salomon de Rothschild. Her art works "Pomegranate", "Pomegranate Tree", "Life Goes On" and others find their way into the hearts of a wider audience with their originality. Some 21 artists - both established and beginners - take part in the 012 Baku Public Art festival. They reflect in their works some of the historic places of Baku. The event will end on 1 September.