INTERVIEW
July 12, 2021
DISCOVERING MY COUNTRY
Photography by Chichek Bayramly
Interview by Melanie Meggs
Nestled between two formidable mountain ranges lies the beautiful nation of Azerbaijan, a country of immense natural beauty and centuries-old culture. For Chichek Bayramly, this land is not just home, but an opportunity to explore and capture the wonders of its rural life and stunning architecture. Through her photographic project, 'Island in the Mountains', she has sought to bring the gems of her hometown to the world. From the vibrant colors of local attire to the intricate designs of traditional buildings, Chichek has shown the beauty of Azerbaijan with her lens and earned recognition from the Tbilisi Multimedia Museum Grant program for women of Caucasus. Join us as we explore the world through her eyes and discover the hidden treasures of her homeland.
“My first photo project 'Island in the Mountains' was made in the frame of Tbilisi Photography and Multimedia Museum's grant programme. It is about the specific village named Khinalig, located 2300 meters above sea level in southeast Azerbaijan. It has its own language and interesting architecture (each house roof is the terrace of the house on top at the same time) with colorful interiors, decorated carpet patterns. The main task of the programme was to show the isolation. Photographic scenes address the ambiguous narratives probe tensions between human connection and separation, women labour and childhood, intimacy, and isolation.”
IN CONVERSATION WITH CHICHEK BAYRAMLY
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Chichek, please tell us about yourself. How did you become interested in photography?
CHICHEK BAYRAMLY: I was born in Ganja city, Azerbaijan and have lived in different cities of Russia since I was 7 months old. In Kazan, Russia I studied architecture.
My interest in photography started after exploring my family archive photos. Every summer holiday we came into our apartment in Ganja - the first thing I did was to sort through all the photo albums. I started my trip into photography when I was 14 years old with my fathers old Zenit 122 camera. At first I shot with no idea how that camera works, just intuitively. I fell in love with the process of shooting, the long wait for seeing pictures made me excited.
I moved to Baku, Azerbaijan in 2014 and continue my photography experience here.
TPL: Can you tell us what your series 'Island in the Mountains' is about? How did the idea come about?
CB: My first photo project 'Island in the Mountains' was made in the frame of Tbilisi Photography and Multimedia Museum's grant programme. It is about the specific village named Khinalig, located 2300 meters above sea level in southeast Azerbaijan. It has its own language and interesting architecture (each house roof is the terrace of the house on top at the same time) with colorful interiors, decorated carpet patterns. The main task of the programme was to show the isolation. Photographic scenes address the ambiguous narratives probe tensions between human connection and separation, women labour and childhood, intimacy, and isolation.
TPL: Do you have a favourite place to photograph?
CB: I have found that I rarely take pictures in the city I live in: my daily life is too intensive, and I can not observe things happening around.
Mostly I travel to regions of my country when I get "hungry". I find inspiration in nature, architecture of villages and people living there.
TPL: Do you have any favourite artists and photographers?
CB: I have photographers whose works I follow, but I do not make them my favourites, just to avoid copying them subliminally. I prefer to watch drawings of some artists to get inspiration on composition, colors, and mood.
TPL: When you take pictures, do you usually have a concept in mind of what you want to shoot, or do you let the images just "come to you", or is it both?
CB: Usually both
Mostly I travel to regions of my country when I get 'hungry'. I find inspiration in nature, architecture of villages and people living there.
TPL: Does the equipment you use help you in achieving your vision in your photography? What camera do you use? Do you have a preferred lens/focal length?
CB: My favourite camera is the Fujifilm X series. Now I mostly use the Fujifilm X-E2 and sometimes I bring with me my new Sony a6400. Compared with Fuji we could not make a strong connection between us yet. But with Fujifilm I can show things as I imagine them before shooting.
TPL: What are some of your goals as an artist or photographer? Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?
CB: I try not to make big plans for the future. Usually I find solutions spontaneously, at 'that' moment, and try to develop new things, make some experiments.
TPL: Are there any special projects you are currently working on that you would like to let everyone know about?
CB: For now I have some important projects in architecture, so I can not focus on photography.
TPL: "When I am not out photographing, I (like to)…
CB: Make sketches, collages, sculptures, dream and just observe."
Chichek Bayramly has presented a unique window into the culture and beauty of her home country of Azerbaijan, with her photographic project. Through her work, she has shown the world the captivating sights of the nation's rural life and traditional architecture. We thank her for sharing her photography of her home country. Please follow Chichek to see more of her work.
