© Photo: Maria Novoselova/Vestnik Kavkaza
Today, a presentation of the book ”Features of life in big cities” by director, film and theater artist, painter and graphic artist Addis Hajiyev took place in Moscow. Vestnik Kavkaza spoke with Addis Hajiyev about his book and big cities.
- “Features of life in big cities” is the title of both the painting and the book. Who are you - an artist or a writer?
- The book was written, unexpectedly, nevertheless, it was expected. I have been painting for a long time, I am a cinematographer and director. Writing is a hobby that over time has become a wonderful addiction. The book is extension of my painting. The painting served as the cover for the book and gave the book its title. I myself have been living in big cities all my life, I know all its pros and cons. And I think this might be interesting to the reader.
- What cities are described in the book?
- In the book, I touch on those cities in which I live or have lived. Firstly, it is Moscow, where I have been living for ages, as it seems, since 1983. I also write about Baku, where I was born, raised and where I still work. I directed a lot of films, shot a lot of advertising in Baku. Last year, I was there with workshop sessions. There are a lot of projects in Baku, which is my hometown. My book also tells about Istanbul. This is also my hometown, where I have been living for over 10 years, teaching, filming, etc.
- Can you compare Moscow, Istanbul, and Baku? What do they have in common?
- These are all my hometowns, that are in my zip codes. This unites them. But overall, these are completely different cities. Baku has an amazing, southern, measured mentality. Istanbul is something incomprehensible, between the West and the East. Moscow is a kind of insane conglomerate, in which a huge number of people live, who are always in a hurry to get somewhere.
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of living in big cities?
- I'll start with the disadvantages. You are endlessly in a hurry to get somewhere, there is no time to do a lot, you have to sacrifice a lot. This is described in one of my stories. The advantages are a huge number of connections, acquaintances, interesting people, an insane pace of life, which is very close to me and invigorates me. I try to reduce the number of disadvantages and enjoy a larger number of advantages. So far, I've coped with the task. You see, I’m standing, making films, writing books, painting.
- Why are fish depicted in the painting and on the cover of the book “Features of life in big cities”?
- As my father Altai Hajiyev, a wonderful, now late artist, said when he saw this picture: “These are herrings in a barrel!” The analogy is correct. Think of it like the subway at rush hour. It's a hustle, but I love it. I miss it. 15 years ago I came to rest in Turkish Bodrum, rested for three days, and on the fourth, I realized that I couldn’t stay there anymore. I started filming projects, teaching, participating in festivals. I can't rest. I don't like to rest.
- Do you not like silence as well?
- I have a story called “Noises of Silence”. If you get to the book and read it, you will understand that the sounds of silence are the most precious thing I love. I appreciate these moments when they are available.
