A groundbreaking cultural project has taken root in the heart of Azerbaijan’s industrial landscape. On the grounds of the AzMeCo methanol plant in the Garadagh district, a remarkable open-air sculpture museum titled “The Territory of Wind” was officially unveiled. Designed by renowned artist and avant-garde sculptor Altay Sadikhzade, the installation presents a striking fusion of art, industry, and nature.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by leading figures in government, culture, and academia, including Mrs. Fatma Abdullazade, Head of the Department on Humanitarian Policy Issues of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mr. Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Mrs. Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs; Prof. Nargiz Pashayeva, Rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University and Artistic Director of the UNS Creative Stage; Ms. Aida Mahmudova, Founder of YARAT! Contemporary Art Space; and other notable cultural leaders, artists, public figures, and diplomats.

A Post-Industrial Harmony

Nestled beside the towering infrastructure of the methanol plant, the museum comprises 17 abstract sculptures created by leading Azerbaijani artists including Altay Sadikhzade, Aida Mahmudova, Aga Ousseynov, and Eldar Mamedov. This eclectic collection transforms the industrial setting into a stage for artistic dialogue—evoking the spirit of both the industrial and cultural revolutions.

The project reflects a wider trend in Baku's cultural landscape: the decentralization of art from the capital into new and unexpected territories. “The Territory of Wind” captures this shift, offering a bold visual and philosophical statement on the coexistence of technological progress and creative imagination.

“Factory of the Wind” – The Central Structure

At the heart of the complex stands “Factory of the Wind,” an awe-inspiring sculpture by Altay Sadikhzade. Made from the capsule of a powerful steel reactor, the structure features clockwork components, windmills, and oversized mechanical blades. It resembles a surreal wind or solar collector, generating symbolic energy that connects the entire artistic composition—creating visual tension and harmony between the organic landscape, industrial backdrop, and conceptual artwork.

Alien spaceships: Nouveau Réalisme in Garadagh

Many of the works featured in the museum are built from industrial remnants—pipes, beams, fittings—repurposed as surreal, symbolic, and metaphysical compositions. The sculptures carry the energy of Nouveau Réalisme, with an imaginative, otherworldly twist.

• Aga Ousseynov’s vibrant yellow Naive Meteorology appears on the verge of motion, channeling natural rhythm.

• Aida Mahmudova’s nostalgic installation, assembled from an antique tracery window frame, bridges cosmic futures and historical memory.

• Altay Sadikhzade’s colossal pink carriage resembles a whimsical time machine.

• Eldar Mamedov’s anonymous figures serve as poetic, eternal guardians of the Garadagh winds.

Art and Industry: A Vision Realized

The idea for “The Territory of Wind” originated with Mr. Nizami Piriyev, Chairman of the Board of AzMeCo and a passionate supporter of the arts. His vision was to bring artistic expression into an active industrial environment, rather than an abandoned warehouse or gallery space—redefining how and where art can live. The result is a one-of-a-kind cultural and industrial landmark that symbolizes a new era of creative and technological synergy in Azerbaijan.

As the first open-air museum of its kind within a working chemical plant, “The Territory of Wind” is not only an artistic milestone, but also a symbol of alternative energy, environmental awareness, and cultural renewal—embodying both the spirit of innovation and the soul of creativity.

— Farah Piriyeva