Whispers of the Forest: Art Meets Ecology in a Captivating Exhibition by Elnara Nasirli

On January 16,  the prestigious Gazelli Art House once again opened its doors for a private viewing of “The Whisper of the Forest – The Magic of Sound”, a large-scale exhibition by Azerbaijani artist Elnara Nasirli. Attended by diplomats, embassy representatives from various nations, and specially invited guests, the event underscored the exhibition's cross-cultural and ecological significance.

The ambassadors and representatives were given guided tours of the exhibit, with detailed explanations of the artworks and their underlying themes. Following the tour, attendees mingled, discussing the exhibition's relevance and broader environmental issues that align with its central themes.

The exhibition was first unveiled on November 7, 2024, coinciding with the lead-up to COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The timing was deliberate, reflecting the ecological focus of Nasirli's work. The exhibition is an immersive exploration of the rich biodiversity of Latvian and Azerbaijani forests, using sound technology to amplify the natural music of the environment. Visitors are treated to plant-based melodies, derived from recordings of native flora, creating an auditory experience that bridges art and science.

“This exhibition is not just about enjoying the beauty of nature,” Nasirli said during her address at the opening. “It’s a call to protect and preserve it.”

At its core, the exhibition offers a sensory journey into the natural world. Installations employ cutting-edge audio technology to highlight the unique sounds of forests, conveying the message that nature is alive, communicative, and deserving of respect. Video installations complement the soundscapes, with visitors donning headphones to hear the amplified whispers of plants depicted in the visuals. The result is an evocative simulation of standing alone in the forest, fostering an intimate connection with nature.

The exhibition is a testament to international cooperation, organized by the Republic of Latvia and supported by institutions such as Latvia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the Latvian Forest Management Agency, the SILAVA research organization, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, ADA University, and Gazelli Art House Baku.

This collaboration underscores the shared environmental values of Latvia and Azerbaijan. The curator, a distinguished expert in environmental art, ensured that the exhibition integrates scientific rigor with artistic creativity, offering an innovative platform to discuss sustainability.

The exhibit, running until February 1, 2025, resonates beyond the gallery walls. It reflects a growing trend where art becomes a medium for environmental advocacy, inspiring visitors to appreciate and act on the urgent need to protect ecosystems.

As visitors leave the gallery, the sounds of the forest linger—a subtle yet profound reminder of our connection to the natural world. For many, “The Whisper of the Forest” is more than an art exhibition; it’s a clarion call to listen to the earth’s quiet pleas and respond with care and action.

"Parallel Worlds" Art Exhibition Challenges Nature Illusions and Human Impact

The “Parallel Worlds” group exhibition offers more than an artistic display, serving as a bold challenge to illusions about nature while confronting the consequences of human activity, according to art historian Mansura Mammadaliyeva.

The exhibition explores the dichotomy between natural and artificial creation, shaking humanity's perceived dominance over nature. Mammadaliyeva stated, “Local and international artists’ works pull us out of our comfort zones, forcing us to face the ecological damage we have inflicted on the planet.”

Referencing philosopher Timothy Morton’s claim that the concept of “nature” itself is an illusion, Mammadaliyeva noted, “Human activity has penetrated every corner of the planet. The artworks reveal that our relationship with nature is not just harmonious but also conflict-ridden.”

The displayed works offer a visual dialogue on climate change, exposing its underlying causes while advocating for transformative action. “Technology is at the core of this exhibition, not as mere spectacle, but as a tool to redefine human-nature relations,” Mammadaliyeva said.

Elnara Nasirli’s “Breathe Like Me” exemplifies this approach. A programmed tree trunk, mimicking breathing through paper lungs crafted in the kirigami style, uses electronic plant signals to highlight the dependency of nature’s respiratory system on human activity. “The piece confronts visitors with an uncertain future,” she added.

Another centerpiece, the “Whispering Forest” installation, was created in collaboration with the Latvian Embassy in Azerbaijan for COP29. The large-scale work combines dried trees from various countries, emanating a gentle whisper that Mammadaliyeva described as a “warning, not tranquility.” The installation underscores the fragility of humanity’s connection to nature and the precariousness of modern civilization built upon it.

The collective Marshmallow Laser Feast presents “Poetics of the Soil,” revealing the hidden complexity of microscopic life beneath our feet. Inspired by the Capinuri tree biome in the Amazon rainforest, the work starkly emphasizes the rapid destruction of these ecosystems.

“The exhibition challenges the material world’s stability,” Mammadaliyeva explained. “It dismantles concepts of past and future, reminding us that humans are merely a part of the biosphere, not its controlling force.”

The “Parallel Worlds” exhibition demands more than passive observation. “This is not just about aesthetics—it is a radical, irreversible call for change,” Mammadaliyeva stressed. Romantic notions of nature must give way to an understanding of its fragility and susceptibility to destruction.

She concluded, “This exhibition is simultaneously artistic, philosophical, and political. The first step in restoring the balance between humanity and nature depends on us.”