"Under the Angel's Wing" doll expo opens in Baku

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Dolls are more than just the playthings of children. From flawless face to beautiful dress, dolls are impressive works of art.

Unbelievable, beautiful and amazing dolls have been presented in Baku. A joint exhibition of Georgian and Azerbaijani artists opened in Baku Museum Center on December 15.

The event was organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Baku Museum Center, Art Gallery "Kukla" and the International Center for Puppetry Arts in Georgia, Trend Life reported.

Beautiful dolls were presented by national artists Parviz Huseynov, Irina Gundorina, Tamilla Gurbanova, Sanubar Samadova, Nailya Sultan, Farakh Aliyeva, Olga Abbasova, Zinaida Hasanova, Anara Salmanova, Nubar Shakhbazova, and young participants of D'Art studio, led by Dilara Atakishiyeva.

Georgian doll masters included Asmat Sagiridze, "Bouillon" group, Denis Gonobolin, Elene Tsitlanadze, Marina Kenchuashvili, Nana Kaulashvili, Fiso Zaridze, puppets - Bachana Khalvashi, Temo Javakhi, Irma Kaadze, Nana Okruashvili, Nino (Nutsa) Khidasheli, small sculpture Alex Berdyshev, Alexander Asatiani, Amiran Kuprava, Gela Babunashvili, Kakhi Eradze, Keti Dzidziguri, Mariam Shvelidze, souvenir dolls and toys - "ARTMAN" group, Valentina Iordanishvili, Irma Archvadze, Manana Abzianidze, Manana Mondodauri, Manana Kipiani, Nana Beitrishvili, Tata Bakradze, Tamar Burduli, souvenirs Alexander Guoqi, Irina Lavrinenko, LTHandmade group, Sophie Etsadashvili and Nana Okruashvili.

The director of the International Center for Puppet Art of Georgia Nana Okruashvili is familiar to Bakuvians as participant of the International Biennial of Dolls "FUSION DOLL" in 2013. This year, Okruashvili once again presented her work in Baku.

Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister of Azerbaijan Adalat Veliyev, who spoke at the opening of the exhibition,  said that various international events dedicated to puppetry are held in the country. He stressed that the exposition "Under the Angel's Wing" features unique works of Georgian and Azerbaijani dolls masters. The exhibition is timed to the New Year's holidays.

The head of the project, director of Art Gallery "Kukla" Lala Kazimova said that New Year's Eve everybody want to believe in miracles and the exhibition presents this magical fairytale world, which was created by wonderful artists.

Director of the Center for Puppet Art of Georgia Nana Okruashvili spoke about the activities of the Center, stressing that the works presented at the exhibition belong to different genres of puppet art. Art dolls, small sculpture, puppets and souvenir dolls, made in various techniques.

Further, guests enjoyed a magical atmosphere created by children's theater "Gunay" led by Larissa Tarusova.

The works presented in the exhibition refer to various genres of puppet art: art dolls, small sculpture, puppets and souvenir dolls. There are also art dolls, which from the collection of Art Gallery "Kukla", including a unique mechanical doll "Wheel of Fortune". The author of this artwork is a Georgian artist, sculptor and architect Tamara Kvesitadze, whose personal exhibition was held in Baku in April 2015. There are also dolls by national doll masters who have already proved their right to the high title of author's doll master. Along with them, the exhibition includes the work of beginning artists.

At  the same time, within the framework of the exhibition "Under the Angel's Wing" dolls created by the Georgian artist Bachan Khalvashi  were presented for the performance "Leyli and Majnun" of the Baku Puppet Theatre headed by Tarlan Gorchu.

The puppets serve as a brilliant example of the synthesis of the Georgian art school and the Azerbaijani theatrical tradition.

The exhibition will last until December 30.