Frames Expire

The central visual element of the series is the network of gas pipes stretching openly across the territory. During the installation of gas lines in Nakhchivan, much of the infrastructure was built above ground rather than buried.

The photo series “Frames Expire” was captured in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic—an integral part of Azerbaijan that is physically separated from the mainland. This long-standing detachment and the surrounding borders have kept Nakhchivan in a state of isolation from the rest of the country. Within this space, connections have often been fragile and deeply emotional. This sense of isolation forms the silent backdrop of the photographs. The central visual element of the series is the network of gas pipes stretching openly across the territory. During the installation of gas lines in Nakhchivan, much of the infrastructure was built above ground rather than buried. Over time, these pipes have cut through streets, walls, windows, and horizons, becoming an inseparable part of the landscape’s visual identity. Within the frame, they act as random boundaries—simultaneously dividing and connecting the space. This multilayered "expiration" or passage of time resonates with Nakhchivan’s unique state of dependency. Here, people continue their lives through prolonged improvisation, never losing their struggle for existence. The photographs were captured using two types of cameras: a digital camera and an analog camera loaded with expired film. In both exhibitions held so far, the works were printed and presented using different techniques. In Nakhchivan, the photos were displayed as matte vinyl on forex, while in the Baku exhibition, they were presented in antique frames collected from curiosity shops and flea markets. For the upcoming exhibition in Turin, Italy, the photographs will be presented using Lightbox technology, accompanied by an installation featuring actual gas pipes integrated with the artworks.