BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 2. Colorful exhibitions
by renowned local and international artists are being presented at
the 3rd International Carpet Festival, held on May 1–3 with
organizational support from “Azerkhalcha” OJSC and the
Administration of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural
Reserve, and with the backing of the Ministry of Economy and the
Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), Trend
reports.
All exhibitions are showcased in the historic part of Baku –
Icherisheher.
“ELYSIUM”
This is not just an exhibition, but a fusion of different art
forms. Abstract layers of color originating from the brush of
artist Aida Mahmudova have been transferred by the weavers of
“Azerkhalcha” OJSC onto carpet loops. It represents the
transformation of a painting from an “untouchable” canvas into a
more physical and structured form. The fact that the carpets are
woven in Nardaran, Shamkir, and Guba also highlights the social
dimension of the project—supporting local craftsmanship and women’s
labor through contemporary art.
The historical experience of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC and Aida
Mahmudova’s modern vision are presented at the “Azerkhalcha”
exhibition center (15 Boyuk Gala).
“Loops that Bring Fairy Tales to Life. Karabakh Carpets”
The carpet collection “Loops that Bring Fairy Tales to Life.
Karabakh Carpets,” created as a result of the partnership between
Farid Rasulov and “Azerkhalcha” OJSC, presents traditional Karabakh
carpet weaving not only as a legacy of the past, but also as a
living fragment of the language of contemporary art. The project
“reactivates” ancient patterns within a modern visual context. The
main goal of the exhibition is to create a meaningful dialogue
between heritage and modernity, combining fairy tales and history
with contemporary artistic thinking in every woven loop. The
collection’s first presentation has been specially prepared for the
International Carpet Festival. It includes six different carpets:
“The Tale of the White Horse and Birds,” “Legend of the Karabakh
Horse,” “Pattern of Elegance,” “Echo of Golden Feathers,” “Tiger in
Loops,” and “Crown of the Night – Pomegranate.” The core idea of
the exhibition, whose carpets are made from a blend of wool and
silk using 3D techniques, is that preserving cultural heritage
alone is not enough—it must remain dynamic to stay relevant.
The exhibition is on display at the QGallery exhibition salon
near the Maiden Tower.
“Souls in Motion”
Laurine Malengreau is a prominent figure in contemporary textile
art, combining traditional crafts with innovative techniques. The
“Nuno Silk” technique at the heart of her work is based on merging
silk and wool into a unified, fluid painterly texture. By combining
natural silk and wool materials, the artist creates large-scale
wall hangings with ethereal variability and painterly composition.
Her works explore gesture, color, and materiality, transforming
emotion and movement into immersive textile forms. Malengreau’s
internationally recognized works are featured in private
collections and design projects, reflecting both a deep respect for
traditional craftsmanship and a strong commitment to
sustainability. She currently lives in Aubusson, France—a renowned
center of tapestry. She is not only an internationally acclaimed
artist but is also considered the first artist whose works entered
the permanent collection of the Rothko Museum in Latvia.
The exhibition is presented at the Baku House of
Photography.
“Weaving”
This exhibition, showcasing the work of Albanian-American artist
Xhevahir Kolgjini, explores spiritual transformation, psychological
tension, and the fragile balance between permanence and change. The
works are created using hand-weaving (knotting) techniques. Lived
experience is transformed into a structure woven through the
language of lines, knots, networks, and pixels. This reflects the
artist’s long-standing interest in the intersection of cultures and
the clash of civilizations. The exhibition presents textiles both
as imagery and as a form of thinking. Sensory, mental, and cultural
representations intertwine here, creating a space for deep
meditation on coexistence and self-expression. The artist’s works
have been exhibited in London, New York, various cities in Albania,
and other countries. Pieces from the “Intertwined Polarities”
series have recently been displayed in Tirana and New York.
The exhibition is presented at the Zaman Gallery.
“Women of the Turkic Steppe”
Assol Alimova (Assolya) from Kazakhstan works with carpets in a
hyperrealistic style. She transforms traditional carpets into works
of contemporary art by creating portraits on them. The main themes
of her work are women of the Great Steppe, Turkic history, and
national ornaments. In the portraits, one can see how carpet
patterns merge with the human face. As a curator, Assol combines
traditional heritage with contemporary art, and as an artist, she
uses the carpet as a canvas, creating a new genre. Her work has
gained wide public recognition. In particular, her inclusion in
TikTok’s “The Discover List 2026” demonstrates her high popularity
in the digital space and among younger audiences. For her
achievements in the field of art, she has met with the President of
Kazakhstan, confirming her status as a cultural ambassador of the
country.
The exhibition is presented at the new exhibition hall of
“Azerkhalcha” OJSC (Baku Khans’ Palace Complex, 44 Boyuk Gala).
“My Grandmother’s Carpet”
“DanceAbility Azerbaijan” presents an inclusive
multidisciplinary exhibition. Inspired by the personal stories and
experiences of the weavers of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC, the event
presents the carpet not only as a traditional object, but also as a
living and collective experience. All events within the
program—combining digital performances, storytelling, workshops,
and panel discussions in a contemporary format—have been prepared
with the joint participation of people with and without
disabilities. The event is held in Azerbaijani and English and is
built on the principles of human-centered design. Accessibility is
ensured within this approach, including sign language
interpretation, audio description, and presentation formats adapted
to diverse needs.
“DanceAbility Azerbaijan” invites everyone to attend the event,
get closer to the culture of carpet weaving, revive and preserve
memories. The main partner of “My Grandmother’s Carpet” is bp.
The exhibition is held at the Center for Contemporary Art.
AteshHub: Artistic and Educational Program
The program, to be presented in the museum space of the
Shirvanshahs’ Palace complex, is dedicated to the spiritual
heritage and sacred functions of the carpet.
As part of the program, a lecture-presentation by curator and
art historian M. Mammadaliyeva titled “From Pattern to Algorithm:
The Evolution of Azerbaijani Carpet from Tradition to Modernity” is
presented. The presentation demonstrates aspects of the transition
of Azerbaijani carpets from cultural consciousness to digital art,
as well as video installations. The program mentor is Honored
Artist Sabina Shikhlynska, and the coordinator is Agnessa
Tariverdiyeva.
Information support – Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az,
Azernews.Az
