International Contemporary Art Exhibition on Gender Equality "O"

Man and woman existed for thousands of years, isolated with invisible wall. The Nature united them, but the Culture isolated them. That was the Culture which authorized and supported this isolation.

The time has come when a man and a woman must overcome this wall, bravely compromise each-other.

The time has come for a variety of the new roles of men and women. And this variation is impossible without the freedom- freedom of choice.

Rahman Badalov

The Embassy of the Latvia in Azerbaijan in cooperation with the United Nations in Azerbaijan and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ankara is organizing the International Contemporary Art Project “O” on Gender Equality as a continuation of the Project “Maiden Tower. To Be a Woman”.

This year, the Project will be dedicated to the UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, underlining women’s role for sustainable future. The project brings together the international participants to give a ground to share their experiences on gender equality as well as to reflect on the pandemic and post conflict situations influencing on women lives through the contemporary art.

The Project program includes author's presentation of creativity of the international journalist and photographer Reza Deghati, screening of “Bille” movie with the participation of the film director Inara Kolmane (Latvia), the premier of performance “The Drop of Sun” by Ismail Iman, directed by Tarlan Rasulov, The international art exhibition “O” in MoMA Baku and the conference. Each element can be considered as a brick in a new strategy of promoting and strengthening social integration through arts and culture.

On 11 November, as a part of public diplomacy program, Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ms Sabina Shihklinskaya will curate an Exhibition “O” in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA Baku), based on the continued activities using the website: www.tobeawoman.az.

The Artists - Shahnaz Aghayeva (Azerbaijan/Turkey), Leyli Alekperova (Azerbaijan), Irina Eldarova (Azerbaijan), Farhad Nikfam (Azerbaijan), Teresa Puig (Norway), Vusal Rahim (Azerbaijan), Nils Skapāna (Latvia), Kārlis Vītols (Latvia) will participate the Exhibition.

The concept of the exhibition is dedicated to Women - their lives, roles in society, entertainments and problems. In the Azerbaijani language, the definition of HE and SHE do not have a difference and are represented as "O". Only in the context one can see which gender is meant. And this is very symbolic, since the essence of the topic of gender equality is based on gender unity and equality.

In November 2022 the Embassy is organizing an international conference “Women for sustainable tomorrow” in the capacity of NATO Contact Point Embassy (CPE) in Azerbaijan.

The Embassy of Latvia is the leading partner of the project in cooperation with UN Women, UNDP, MoMA Baku, The Landmark, The Magsud Ibrahimayov Creativity Centre, Nizami Cinema and PlatformART. ®