Decorative Art Exhibition “The Secrets of Venetian Masks”

20.12.2012 - 31.12.2012

Art Gallery
Grand opening: December 19, 2012, 6 PM
Organizer: The Museum Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Azerbaijan Republic

The Museum Centre will delight viewers with its new project – the exhibition ‘Secrets of the Venetian Masks’ devoted to the history of Venice, the Venice Carnival and its trademark Masks, full of amazing stories and secrets...
The Venice Carnival is one of the most memorable events not only in Italy, but across the world. With its display of these, traditions this exhibition will be a real gift for connoisseurs of the arts.
With its unique colours Venice has always inspired artists, who have all endeavoured to portray the many corners of a city of unique beauty. The exhibition’s theme has stirred great interest among artists and stimulated them into creating a host of new paintings devoted to Venice especially for this exhibition.
Paintings: ‘Forgotten Dream’ by Siruz Mirzazade, ‘Kiss’ by Namiq Mammadov, ‘Secrets of Venetian Masks’ by Ismayil Mammadov, ‘Water Alley’ by Rashad Mehdiyev, ‘Masks’ by Eldar Gurbanov.
Sculptures: ‘Venetian Mask’ by Kamal Veliyev, ‘Cavalier’ by Mammad Rashidov, ‘Thoughts’ by Faiq Hajiyev. Batiks: ‘Venice. Bubbles on the Water’ and ‘Trandt Canal’ by Tatyana Aghababayeva. Dolls: ‘Crystal Ring’, ‘Unknown Lady’, ‘The Whole World is a Theatre’ by Tamilla Gurbanova, ‘Serso’ by Parviz Huseynov and Irina Gundorina, ‘Mask’ by Anara Salmanova etc.
The retrospective works, ‘Masquerade’ by Sara Manafova and Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova’s watercolours, ‘Pearls of Venice’, ‘Sorrow and Tenderness’, ‘Passion’, ‘Orange Arches’ and others are also on display in the exhibition.
Venetian masks are another important focus of the exhibition. According to longstanding tradition these masks are made by hand and are considered a distinct form of art. You can gaze at these unique works for hours and still not find any identical ones. They are painting, jewellery and sculpture in one artefact. Many who arrive in this beautiful city wish to purchase these outstanding works of art but, because of the difficulty of carriage they have to relinquish their dream.
The VIVA BELLA company undertook this difficult task and will participate in a Museum Centre project within the exhibition. They have brought a large collection of these valuable artworks from Venice. Venetian masks are not only a great gift for New Year, but are also unique adornments for home and office interiors, creating a friendly, festive atmosphere. Further, the exhibition will feature creations in the celebrated Murano glass.
Films on the history of Venice, the Venice Carnival and Masks will also be screened during the exhibition. And the popular Gunay children’s theatre will present the Maresca dance from ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The well-known fashion designer Nadiya Taziyeva will entrance viewers with her new collection of fashionable costumes embellished by Venetian masks.
The exhibition is our gift for the New Year holiday.
Entrance to the exhibition is by invitation only on 19 December. But from 20-25 December it is open to all from 10:00 till 18:00.

Project originator and curator: Museum Centre Director Liana Vezirova
Artistic design: Vugar Ali