New York Post highlights Heydar Aliyev Center as emerging global art hub

The iconic Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, is gaining recognition as a major international cultural destination, according to a recent article by the New York Post.

The publication emphasizes that visitors to Hadid’s striking building are met with a clear message: Baku is positioning itself as a serious player on the global cultural stage. Since opening, the center has hosted high-profile international exhibitions, including works by American hyperrealist sculptor Carol Forman, British-Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, and Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, known for his giant-scale figures of people and animals.

The New York Post notes that the center’s first major exhibition, “Life, Death and Beauty” by Andy Warhol in 2013, set the tone for Baku’s ambition to act as a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia. 

"In line with this vision, Baku is positioning itself as a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia. International curators, artists, and cultural figures are increasingly adding Baku to their itineraries. At the center of this transformation stands the Heydar Aliyev Center, a large-scale contemporary architectural project that has become more than just a building," the article reads.

Collaborations with museums and institutions across Austria, Belgium, the UK, France, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, and Türkiye have further strengthened Baku’s cultural profile. The New York Post concludes that the Heydar Aliyev Center has succeeded in establishing Baku as a competitive international art destination, marking a significant achievement for the city’s cultural landscape.

By Sabina Mammadli