In the history of world cultural heritage, the art of carpet weaving is the absolute pinnacle, creating a unified space of thought, reason and mind. It contains a narrative of legends and events, losses and victories, pride in the past and hope for a beautiful future. Azerbaijani carpets are known all over the world for their original ornamentation, composition and color solution. Threads, knots, patterns – the Azerbaijani carpet is not only an aesthetically pleasing interior item, but the life of an entire nation, woven over thousands of years.
PAS Azerkhalcha is the only carpet factory in Azerbaijan, whose workshops are staffed by craftsmen of different generations. The Riga exhibition collection created by the company is a collective work of artists and master craftsmen, which is based on the traditions of ancestors and the innovative searches of modern designers. At the same time, the exposition gives an idea of the similarities between the ornaments of Latvia and Azerbaijan, reflecting various aspects of the interaction of the peoples, historical connections or common themes that have influenced the culture of both countries.
Paying tribute to the Latvian master of applied art Jūlija Straumis (1874–1970) on his 150th anniversary, the exhibition organically includes the ethnographic heritage that the artist identified and studied in the territory of Azerbaijan – unique carpet patterns that he recorded and colored in photographs during his expeditions.
It is the first large-scale exhibition of Azerbaijani textile art in Riga, which opens an in-depth insight into the heritability of national weaving techniques and at the same time confirms that the seemingly distant can become close.
The curators of the exhibition are Inese Baranovska – Head of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design and Rūta Rinka – Custodian of the Textile Art and Leather Art Collection.
Tags: Exhibition genetic code memory Carpets Azerbaijan Day
