Baku Hosts Opening of “Geyzer” Contemporary Art Exhibition within Cultural Festival

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The opening ceremony of the contemporary art exhibition titled “Geyzer” was held on January 17 at the Museum of Modern Art in Baku as part of the “Oil Boom Smiles at Everyone” festival.

The festival is supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, sponsored by bp, and organized by the Magsud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Center. The opening ceremony was attended by Anar Alakbarov, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, alongside official guests and prominent representatives of Azerbaijan’s arts community.

Running from November 2025 to February 2026, the “Oil Boom Smiles at Everyone” festival is dedicated to the creative legacy of renowned Azerbaijani writer Magsud Ibrahimbeyov. Built around the cultural and historical context of the oil boom era, the festival brings together diverse art forms and explores themes of transformation, expectation, and inner tension reflected in the author’s literary works.

The “Geyzer” exhibition is one of the festival’s flagship projects. Conceptually inspired by Ibrahimbeyov’s play “Oil Boom Smiles at Everyone,” the exhibition offers an immersive artistic interpretation of the intersection between personal experience and collective history.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Anna Ibrahimbeyova, Director of the Magsud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Center, highlighted the significance of the event, noting the active participation of young and talented artists. She emphasized that many participants have deeply engaged with Ibrahimbeyov’s literary works, transforming ideas, impressions, and personal interpretations into the language of visual art.

In his remarks, Anar Alakbarov expressed gratitude to the organizers and artists involved, underscoring the importance of the festival, which has been ongoing since November 2025. He voiced hope that the initiative would become a lasting tradition and praised the quality and diversity of the works on display.

Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, bp’s Vice President for the Caspian region, Communications and External Affairs, described the exhibition as a celebration born at the intersection of art and literature. On behalf of bp, he expressed appreciation for contributing to the realization of the project.

Exhibition curator Nigar Rzayeva noted that the vibrancy and contemporary relevance of Magsud Ibrahimbeyov’s work served as a major source of inspiration for the project. She thanked the creative team, as well as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, bp, and the Museum of Modern Art for their support.

Following the opening speeches, guests toured the exhibition, which presents oil as a defining force shaping Baku’s rhythm, people’s destinies, and the country’s historical development. The title “Geyzer” alludes both to an oil fountain erupting under pressure and to a geyser releasing accumulated energy, a metaphor reflected throughout the artworks.

The exhibition features works by nine contemporary artists and is structured into two interconnected sections: a conceptual video installation based on archival materials and a main exhibition space showcasing contemporary artworks. A photographic work by Anna Ibrahimbeyova is also included outside the main lineup.

The participating artists are Fidan Sadig, Irina Eldarova, Kanan Aliyev, Mushfig Heydarov, Nazrin Mammadova, Nigar Familsoy, Orkhan Garayev, Sarkhan Hajiyev, and Vusale Agharaziyeva. Their works address themes such as identity, energy, labor, technological transformation, and the social and psychological impact of the oil boom era through diverse media, including installation, sculpture, painting, and video art.

The contemporary art exhibition “Geyzer” will remain open to the public until February 2.