Azerbaijan’s bustling capital is brimming with arts and culture. Baku is famous to be the art hub of the region and offers plenty of museums to be explored during your visit. Modern art has been particularly fast-emerging which led to the opening of different Modern Art Spaces. In this Article, we introduce you to the top Modern Art Spaces of Baku which would satisfy your thirst for artistic and cultural experience.
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Baku’s Museum of Modern Art holds a collection of over 800 pieces, mainly avant-garde and gathering the finest Azerbaijani painters and sculptors of the last 70 plus years. You can admire the vibrant strokes of 1960s Azerbaijani artists inspired by the landscapes of the Absheron Peninsula as well as works by European masters such as Picasso and Dali. Meanwhile, the two-floor building’s sleek design and open space conjures a relaxing atmosphere.
YARAT CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE
A not-for-profit art organisation founded in 2011, Yarat is an epicentre of emerging Azerbaijani artistic talent. Named after the Azerbaijani word for “create,” the organisation regularly hosts exhibitions highlighting new local and global trends, as well as educational workshops, screenings and talks featuring top local and international artists and filmmakers. Yarat has various venues around the city, the main one being the Yarat Contemporary Art Centre, housed in a former naval ship workshop on the Caspian waterfront.
GAZELLI ART HOUSE
Located amid gorgeous fin-de-siecle buildings just off the central Nizami Street, this stylish contemporary gallery represents leading international artists working in diverse formats, from painting and photography to graphics and installations, and has exhibition spaces in London and Baku. Despite its international outlook, the gallery has a special focus on promoting understanding of Azerbaijan and the surrounding region.
HEYDAR ALIYEV CENTRE
An absolute masterpiece of modern architecture dreamt up by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, this fabulously flowing building that won the 2014 London Design Museum’s Design of the Year award houses an auditorium, museums and art galleries that regularly host major exhibitions. There is also an amazing collection of classic cars in the basement.
SALAAM CINEMA
Housed in the historic former prayer house of Baku’s Russian Molokan community, this is a creative community space that puts on documentary film screenings, exhibitions and educational courses and workshops. Tackling themes like equality, inclusion and diversity is an important part of Salaam’s mission, along with supporting local filmmaking. The outdoor terrace is a popular meeting place for young creatives.
