The Open Letter

Dear Mr. Looney,

Returning to my letter dated 30.11.2020, where a detailed analysis was given of the reasons why it was proposed to close the Company, as axiologically not justifying its existence, hereby I again actualize my proposal, but this time – supported by an alternative that replaces the activities of what you and your like-minded people consider something good. Unfortunately, we often do not allow the thought that the world could be different – much better. And in this search for more harmonious forms, I now offer you, in exchange for the liquidation of the Company its aesthetic analogue, its essential-semantic equivalent reflecting its essence in the critical mirror of artistic-philosophical reflection – the artworks that I created over the past years, studying the Corporation from the inside. It was my artistic underground, from which I successfully evacuated two years ago via the Expression of Interests program.

Fifteen years of the Underground – from head office to offshore – the sacrifice that Art required to create them – in the “here and now”, without embellishment, sustained in strict minimalism and reflecting the verity of the analyzed information. Such things are not created for the art market. They are to search for answers to ontologically raised questions, and exchanging them for the closure of the Company – a proposal that at first glance is somewhat absurd – would make it possible to realize the possibility of a metaphysical transition of bp to a completely different, axiologically intellectualized form of its existence. Better beauty will save the world than political crises, technological challenges, and the business behind it all will ruin it.

I agree that it sounds utopian. But for all alienation to utopian maxims, I still hope that they will inspire you and those who make decisions with you to think: is that a beautiful world you are creating that is declared in your messages to it? Following the outline of the frankness of this letter, I note that my only impression that I got during the years of my stay at bp was that despite the considerable efforts that you really make to create an atmosphere of comfort and social protection for your employees, I did not meet a single one, who would be happy with what he does in the Company, and would receive genuine satisfaction from this. Empires are not the best place for people to live, and proximity to the infernal substance called oil only worsens the specific atmosphere in it.

Can we make any effort to make a difference? I guess yes. I already did – the effort of one person. The one that one artist can do. Can you also make an effort? This is a case with a very difficult dichotomy, in which one is a free artist, the other is the head of the powerful empire, whose decision is a kind of test of readiness to change something in this insanely complicated world; and at least – an indicator of the attitude towards art, which appeals to making difficult decisions.

Best regards,

Niyaz Mamedov

25 October, 2022
1.05 a.m. UTC+3