Azerbaijan Pavilion at 2019 Venice Biennale Tackles Fake News with Virtual Reality
At the 58th Venice Biennale, the Azerbaijan Pavilion showcases 'Virtual Reality,' curated by Gianni Mercurio and Emin Mammadov, and organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, aligning with Ralph Rugoff's theme 'May You Live in Interesting Times.' This exhibition features five Azerbaijani artists: Kanan Aliyev, Ulviyya Aliyeva, Zeigam Azizov, Orkhan Mammadov, and Zarnishan Yusifova, who address the dangers of fake news to democracy. Azizov’s work, 'Headlines,' critiques media influence, while Yusifova’s 'Bubble Reflection' explores social media's effects on personal connections. Mammadov presents 'Circular Repetition' and 'Muraqqa,' and Aliyev and Aliyeva contribute with 'Globe' and 'The Slinky Effect,' respectively. Kazakhstan opted out due to budget constraints. Other nations participating include Italy, UAE, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Turkey, Pakistan, Spain, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Portugal, India, and Romania.
Key facts
- Azerbaijan Pavilion at 58th Venice Biennale presents 'Virtual Reality' exhibition.
- Exhibition responds to theme 'May You Live in Interesting Times' by curator Ralph Rugoff.
- Curated by Gianni Mercurio and Emin Mammadov, organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
- Five Azerbaijani artists: Kanan Aliyev, Ulviyya Aliyeva, Zeigam Azizov, Orkhan Mammadov, Zarnishan Yusifova.
- Artworks explore fake news, media dominance, social media, and virtuality.
- Zeigam Azizov's 'Headlines' is a textual and visual essay on media influence.
- Zarnishan Yusifova's 'Bubble Reflection' is a cyber installation on social media and human relations.
- Orkhan Mammadov's 'Circular Repetition' uses traditional ornament data; 'Muraqqa' reimagines miniature albums digitally.
- Kanan Aliyev's 'Globe' is a sculpture that changes direction with interference.
- Ulviyya Aliyeva's 'The Slinky Effect' represents social media news flow.
- Kazakhstan withdrew from Biennale due to budget cuts.
- Other national pavilions include Italy, UAE, Bosnia, Poland, Turkey, Pakistan, Spain, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Portugal, India, Romania.
Entities
Artists
- Kanan Aliyev
- Ulviyya Aliyeva
- Zeigam Azizov
- Orkhan Mammadov
- Zarnishan Yusifova
- Ralph Rugoff
- Gianni Mercurio
- Emin Mammadov
- Milovan Farronato
- Liliana Moro
- Chiara Fumai
- Enrico David
- Nujoom Alghanem
- Danica Dakić
- Roman Stańczak
- İnci Eviner
- Naiza Khan
- Itziar Okariz
- Sergio Prego
- Kudzanai Violet Hwami
- Neville Starling
- Georgina Maxim
- Cosmas Shiridzinomwa
- Dineo Seshee Bopape
- Mawande Ka Zenzile
- Tracey Rose
- Leonor Antunes
- Nandalal Bose
- Atul Dodiya
- GR Iranna
- Rummana Hussain
- Jitish Kallat
- Shakuntala Kulkarni
- Ashim Purkayastha
- Belu-Simion Făinaru
- Dan Mihălțianu
- Miklós Onucsán
Institutions
- Azerbaijan Pavilion
- Heydar Aliyev Foundation
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- United Arab Emirates
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Poland
- Turkey
- Pakistan
- Spain
- Zimbabwe
- South Africa
- Portugal
- India
- Romania