Oriented on making people closer

On June 20, the Ashgabat Art Bazaar gallery invites those ready to see literature from a completely unexpected perspective. That evening, the exhibition "Neo-Poetry" will open—a large-scale project by Turkmen writer and poet Hemra Shirov. For many years, Shirov has been transforming familiar words into visual images and textual puzzles, where meaning depends not only on the phrases themselves but also on their arrangement on a surface. His works completely change the concept of reading, proving that poetry can be not only heard but also viewed as paintings.

The central part of the exhibition will be the author's famous visual poems. This distinctive approach directly references the work of the legendary French poet Guillaume Apollinaire, who revolutionized literature in the early twentieth century with his invention of calligrams—poems written as drawings. Hemra Shirov builds on this tradition, constructing contemporary texts within complex figures, silhouettes, and symbols. Recently, these graphic poems by Hemra Shirov were exhibited at the World's Fair in Germany, where they attracted attention for their unusual form and philosophy.

In addition to visual graphics in the spirit of Apollinaire, visitors to the "Neo-Poetry" exhibition will be able to discover other rare literary forms that are rarely found in classic books today. The exhibition will feature anagrams, where new meanings are born from the rearrangement of letters in words, as well as acrostics and mesostics, diagonal constructions. In acrostics, the first letters of each line form a separate hidden word, while in mesostics, the key word or phrase is hidden precisely in the middle of the poetic lines, forming a vertical axis.

Among the author's other experimental forms, visitors will see figurative poems in the form of geometric labyrinths, symbolic graphic signs, and unique text patterns, where the intersection of lines creates new levels of perception and unexpected semantic connections. All exhibits in the exhibition are open to the public to touch, handle, read, and examine.

At the exhibition opening ceremony, Hemra Shirov will personally greet guests and deliver a speech. Hemra will discuss how the idea of moving away from standard text was born, the challenges an experimental poet faces when searching for new forms, and how such multi-layered works are created. Guests will be able to ask questions and learn the secrets of creating graphic poetry directly from the master.

The grand opening will be more than just an official event, but a truly creative evening. To support the exhibition's experimental spirit, the organizers have invited musicians and vocalists. Live music will complement the poetic words with sound images, helping guests to tune in to contemplation and better experience the rhythm of the works on display.

Summer vacations and holidays are the ideal time to seek new experiences, and a visit to this exhibition will be a wonderful opportunity for intellectual leisure and cultural entertainment. It's a great way to spend a free evening productively, broaden your horizons, and take a break from the daily grind in the cool atmosphere of the gallery, immersing yourself in the world of contemporary art.

The event will take place at the Art Bazaar gallery, Olympic Village, Operation Center building. It starts at 6:00 PM. Admission is free.

Photo: courtesy of the organizers