Keywords: Turkmen horse, sculptures, characteristic features, philosophical ideas.
After Turkmenistan gained independence, the image of the Turkmen horse, which is our national joy, began to be widely and deeply praised through literary and artistic works. Depicting the figures of Turkmen horses also gained wide scope in the art of sculpture. Master sculptors and their disciples created large and small works in praise of Turkmen horses. Each of the created works is different from each other with its originality, artistic beauty and meaning. Sculptors managed to revive the beauty and characteristic features of the Turkmen beauty in their works. It should be emphasized that the equestrian monuments are in harmony with the surroundings.
Sculptures can be divided into several groups based on their performance. First, the works performed together and individually. Together, the sculptures are monumental works. Individual sculptures are usually machine-made. It is true that small monumental sculptures are also executed in the kahalas alone. Secondly, they differ in the means used to make the statues. Sculptures are made of bronze, plaster, plastic, iron, marble, special stone, plasticine, clay, cement-concrete and various soft chemicals. Thirdly, the statue of a horse or horses is in the form of a head or side, with and without a person. Fourth, the animating of names individually and in groups. Fifth, the figures of horses are statues in motion and motionless. Sixth, state-owned and private statues.
B. Annamyradov depicted the image of a horse in front of the Ashgabat roundabout with a person next to it. Babasary Annamyradov is also the author of the first project of the 10-horse statue complex dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. He places the Akhalteke horses in a circle, that is, outside the water well. The author of the second project, Saragt Babaev, kept the circular solution of the fountain, and the main goal of the sculpture is to update the movement composition of the horses. Each of the Akhalteke horses in this statue complex has its own unique and unrepeatable image, which at the same time unites this group of statues into a single living movement.
Saragt Babaev's monument to Oguz Khan is placed inside the complex of sculptures. The monumental monument complex dedicated to Oguz Khan and his six sons is one of the largest fountains in the world.
The sculpture project of the image of Alp Arslan on horseback clearly reveals Saragt Babaev's artistic sense and creative reserve. This model shows Alp Arslan as a warlord. Alp Arslan, created by him, was always animated as a person who felt his responsibility in front of history. Saragt Babaev depicted Alp Arslan on a horse decorated with ornaments around the neck, with a curved sword in his right hand, a shield in his left hand, and a satellite on the right behind him. Alp Arslan's head is straight and proud. His nose is only forward, towards victories. Looking at this image of Alp Arslan, one can make sure that the Turkmen commander has bravery, bravery, perseverance, and at the same time, he has a great humanitarian character. Historical data also testifies that Alp Arslan possessed the qualities mentioned above. On the monument of Gorogly, installed in Dashoguz city, Gorogly beg Turkmen depicted the moment when he pulled the handle of the bow to the end and threw the satellite towards his enemies on the sky of Kyraty. At this moment, Gorogly beg appears to be «one body and soul» with Gyrat. The tension and passion in Gorogly Beg seems to have passed on to Gyrata.
In his statue called «Revival», Saragt Babaev wanted to express the era of our hero Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who carried out deep social, economic, political and cultural reforms in the country and entered Turkmen history as the era of Revivals, by means of five horses rushing towards the sky. Ahalteke names are an integral part of the spiritual world of the Turkmen people, an expression of their spiritual state. The symbolic meaning of five horses means five provinces — five brothers. The fact that all those horses are facing the same direction is a sign of their unity. The fact that the sculptor made the statue out of plaster, in our opinion, wanted to show that the horses — the way of the Turkmen people — are white.
Saragt Babaev's statue «Arkadag», in our opinion, is a logical-philosophical continuation of his statue «Revival». In the statue, our Heroic Friend, sitting on a galloping horse, is depicted as an example of our great commanders, such as Oguz Khandir Alp Arslan. It is adorned with a decorative ornament called a bedouin.
The image of five Akhalteke horses running forward in the «Bicycle» building of the sculptor speaks of the fact that the Turkmen land is an ancient land that has been ridden by heavenly horses.
Polat Mamiev's work «Baba Gammar» immortalizes the image of the elder of musical art. Baba Gammar, who holds hands, is depicted in motion, standing upright. All living beings fall in love with the pleasant sound of its mulberry tree, which can be seen in the light swaying of the branches of the mulberry tree and in the gentle movement of the beautiful Akhalteke horse. The master sculptor uses these moments to express philosophical ideas through the movement of three figures.
In his statue called «Revival», Saragt Babaev wanted to express the era of our hero Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who carried out deep social, economic, political and cultural reforms in the country and entered Turkmen history as the era of Revivals, by means of five horses rushing towards the sky. Ahalteke names are an integral part of the spiritual world of the Turkmen people, an expression of their spiritual state. The symbolic meaning of five horses means five provinces — five brothers. The fact that all those horses are facing the same direction is a sign of their unity. The fact that the sculptor made the statue out of plaster, in our opinion, wanted to show that the horses — the way of the Turkmen people — are white.
Saragt Babaev's statue «Arkadag», in our opinion, is a logical-philosophical continuation of his statue «Revival». In the statue, our Heroic Friend, sitting on a galloping horse, is depicted as an example of our great commanders, such as Oguz Khandir Alp Arslan. It is adorned with a decorative ornament called a bedouin.
The image of five Akhalteke horses running forward in the «Bicycle» building of the sculptor speaks of the fact that the Turkmen land is an ancient land that has been ridden by heavenly horses.
Polat Mamiev's work «Baba Gammar» immortalizes the image of the elder of musical art. Baba Gammar, who holds hands, is depicted in motion, standing upright. All living beings fall in love with the pleasant sound of its mulberry tree, which can be seen in the light swaying of the branches of the mulberry tree and in the gentle movement of the beautiful Akhalteke horse. The master sculptor uses these moments to express philosophical ideas through the movement of three figures.
References:
- O. Muhadova. Union of Artists of Turkmenistan 70 years.
- A. Alikhanov, J. Baltayeva. «History of Visual Arts of Eastern Countries». TDNG 2020
- N. Yagshymyradov «Processes of art criticism». TDNG 2010
