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"Art Without Borders", But Within Reasonable Boundaries
By: Garen Mikaelian
"Novoye Vremya" - Russian language bi-weekly
Yerevan, August 5, 2006
On August 4, 2006, a unique and unprecedented exhibition called
"Art Without Borders" opened at the Armenian Center for Contemporary
Experimental Art ("NPAK" in Armenian acronym) in Yerevan. For the
first time works of artists from Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey
(video-art, installation, graphic art, computer art, photography)
appeared together in one venue.
The idea of the exhibition belongs to Edward Balassanian, one of the
founders of NPAK and its C.E.O. It is very simple and clear: To show
through art the brutal reality of the region and to help promote
mutual understanding between various ethnic groups of the region.
History of the region is full of dramatic and tragic events.
Relations are complex, and often non-compromising and inflexible. At
the same time we live in the XXI century, when the situation
in the world is totally different, and demands different modes
of interaction. Mankind, willingly or not is going towards
globalization. All are striving towards bright and civilized future,
for which they need to learn mutual toleration. Artists, the most
democratic and liberal sectors of any society teach lessons of
toleration.
Balassanian has worked on the project for more than 3 years.
Particularly in present conditions it is not so easy to gather
together artists of the region. However, the project succeeded. Only
Azerbaijan's artists are missing. Apparently during personal contacts
they agreed to partake in the project. However at the end they made it
known that in Baku it is not encouraged. Organizers regret this turn
of events and hope that next time the "quintet" will get together in
its entirety.
Contemporary art in many, if not all respects has lost its national
character and is manifested by international means and methods. This
is why advocates of traditional art are nervous and excessively
agitated. But things are what they are. For contemporary artist what
is important is expression of unique and fresh ideas, in the context
of national identity, awareness and frame of mind.
An outstanding example of this is Sonia Balassanian's installation.
Many small models of houses are placed on the floor of a dark room
simulating an entire city. Alarming sound of engines of planes flying
over are heard. Suddenly sound of an explosion. Red flashes glow in
the dark. Then silence. Unexpectedly images of human faces appear on
the houses. No need for any interpretation. It is a very passionate
and direct public statement. Everything, the space, the sound,
the color and the video are brought together to a focal point. The
emotional impact is awesome. It could hardly be possible to accomplish
by traditional means. Where could we find a new Picasso for a new
"Guernica", and why?
Iranian artist Khosrow Hassan Zadeh reflects upon brutal murder
of 12 prostitutes in the town of Mashad. The basis of the works is
documentary photos, which have been processed by computer and have
been collaged on the mat. Pain and anger literally burst out of the
huge panels. Aren't prostitutes God's creation too?
Nadia Tsulukidze and Sophia Tabatadze [Georgia] presented a performance
piece using plastic and visual art. Sophia had produces a unique
"reportage" of her travels through Armenia and Azerbaijan. Her emphasis
was on human relations. There was also another, very personal layer
consisted of reading personal letters, which were about problems of
Georgian society and their interpretation. We must also speak about
issues which are usually left unspoken, and people do not like to
talk about them in public.
David Kareyan presented a telling and somber view of mans collision
with his living environment. A long line of dusty and muddy,
worn out domestic items was displayed, barren and dark. Feeling of
abandonment. Such is the situation after disasters and wars. Such
was the situation after September 11. But there is also hope. Here
and there small trees have grown. Life is continuing.
Grigor Khachatrian with his characteristic ingenuity uses Leonardo da
Vinci's "Last Supper" and photographically replaces Christ's and His
apostles' faces by his own. "One of You Will Betray Me". Deciphering
Grigorian version of the Supper is difficult, but interesting.
Anyone's game. He provides such an opportunity. I, you, he? Which
one will betray...?
Farhad and Shirin from Tehran in their panels mock Americanization
of daily routine, by satirically changing writings on daily consumer
goods such as dish-washing liquids and similar products.
Turkish painters Ahmet Ogut and Sener Ozmen have presented
"Coloring Book", which is a children's book, but the pictures are
social-political images extracted from journalistic photographs. They
ask the audience to color the pictures like children would. It will
be interesting to see the outcome.
Irina Abjandadze shows series of magnificent duplex photographs, of
abandoned industrial buildings of town of Chiatura called "Parallel
Biographies". It id difficult to describe the secret meaning. What is
it? collapse of industry, of the country, or the individual? Which one?
Contemporary art is not as simple as it was thought to be a few years
ago. Today, totally denying it, pushing it back, or trying to ridicule
it is stupid at the least. It exists. Period. Whether it appeals to
one or not is another issue. But it exists and resonates the social
and political events taking place in the world, and it does it by
accessible means. It poses questions, but does not provide answers,
as is the case with the arts in general. It is important to understand
and keep this in mind.
Besides the fact that any nation's world and its art are multi-faceted,
they are also multi-vectored. "Art Without Borders is a plastic
oratory. Resources of contemporary art are unending.
However, they address logic first and later deal with emotions. One
should not approach it by expressions of "It is beautiful" or "It
is not beautiful". To do so will be accepting defeat. In fact "Art
Without Borders" is a kind of independent public diplomacy. "Art
Without Borders" is common folks', not "Knights'" concern about the
destiny and the future of the region. The future, which does not
deny the past in any way. This is why it is necessary to meet at art
exhibitions. May be something will come to fruition.
After all there is not going to be new migration [relocation] of
people. We need to tolerate one another.
Translated from Russian by EK
By: Garen Mikaelian
"Novoye Vremya" - Russian language bi-weekly
Yerevan, August 5, 2006
On August 4, 2006, a unique and unprecedented exhibition called
"Art Without Borders" opened at the Armenian Center for Contemporary
Experimental Art ("NPAK" in Armenian acronym) in Yerevan. For the
first time works of artists from Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey
(video-art, installation, graphic art, computer art, photography)
appeared together in one venue.
The idea of the exhibition belongs to Edward Balassanian, one of the
founders of NPAK and its C.E.O. It is very simple and clear: To show
through art the brutal reality of the region and to help promote
mutual understanding between various ethnic groups of the region.
History of the region is full of dramatic and tragic events.
Relations are complex, and often non-compromising and inflexible. At
the same time we live in the XXI century, when the situation
in the world is totally different, and demands different modes
of interaction. Mankind, willingly or not is going towards
globalization. All are striving towards bright and civilized future,
for which they need to learn mutual toleration. Artists, the most
democratic and liberal sectors of any society teach lessons of
toleration.
Balassanian has worked on the project for more than 3 years.
Particularly in present conditions it is not so easy to gather
together artists of the region. However, the project succeeded. Only
Azerbaijan's artists are missing. Apparently during personal contacts
they agreed to partake in the project. However at the end they made it
known that in Baku it is not encouraged. Organizers regret this turn
of events and hope that next time the "quintet" will get together in
its entirety.
Contemporary art in many, if not all respects has lost its national
character and is manifested by international means and methods. This
is why advocates of traditional art are nervous and excessively
agitated. But things are what they are. For contemporary artist what
is important is expression of unique and fresh ideas, in the context
of national identity, awareness and frame of mind.
An outstanding example of this is Sonia Balassanian's installation.
Many small models of houses are placed on the floor of a dark room
simulating an entire city. Alarming sound of engines of planes flying
over are heard. Suddenly sound of an explosion. Red flashes glow in
the dark. Then silence. Unexpectedly images of human faces appear on
the houses. No need for any interpretation. It is a very passionate
and direct public statement. Everything, the space, the sound,
the color and the video are brought together to a focal point. The
emotional impact is awesome. It could hardly be possible to accomplish
by traditional means. Where could we find a new Picasso for a new
"Guernica", and why?
Iranian artist Khosrow Hassan Zadeh reflects upon brutal murder
of 12 prostitutes in the town of Mashad. The basis of the works is
documentary photos, which have been processed by computer and have
been collaged on the mat. Pain and anger literally burst out of the
huge panels. Aren't prostitutes God's creation too?
Nadia Tsulukidze and Sophia Tabatadze [Georgia] presented a performance
piece using plastic and visual art. Sophia had produces a unique
"reportage" of her travels through Armenia and Azerbaijan. Her emphasis
was on human relations. There was also another, very personal layer
consisted of reading personal letters, which were about problems of
Georgian society and their interpretation. We must also speak about
issues which are usually left unspoken, and people do not like to
talk about them in public.
David Kareyan presented a telling and somber view of mans collision
with his living environment. A long line of dusty and muddy,
worn out domestic items was displayed, barren and dark. Feeling of
abandonment. Such is the situation after disasters and wars. Such
was the situation after September 11. But there is also hope. Here
and there small trees have grown. Life is continuing.
Grigor Khachatrian with his characteristic ingenuity uses Leonardo da
Vinci's "Last Supper" and photographically replaces Christ's and His
apostles' faces by his own. "One of You Will Betray Me". Deciphering
Grigorian version of the Supper is difficult, but interesting.
Anyone's game. He provides such an opportunity. I, you, he? Which
one will betray...?
Farhad and Shirin from Tehran in their panels mock Americanization
of daily routine, by satirically changing writings on daily consumer
goods such as dish-washing liquids and similar products.
Turkish painters Ahmet Ogut and Sener Ozmen have presented
"Coloring Book", which is a children's book, but the pictures are
social-political images extracted from journalistic photographs. They
ask the audience to color the pictures like children would. It will
be interesting to see the outcome.
Irina Abjandadze shows series of magnificent duplex photographs, of
abandoned industrial buildings of town of Chiatura called "Parallel
Biographies". It id difficult to describe the secret meaning. What is
it? collapse of industry, of the country, or the individual? Which one?
Contemporary art is not as simple as it was thought to be a few years
ago. Today, totally denying it, pushing it back, or trying to ridicule
it is stupid at the least. It exists. Period. Whether it appeals to
one or not is another issue. But it exists and resonates the social
and political events taking place in the world, and it does it by
accessible means. It poses questions, but does not provide answers,
as is the case with the arts in general. It is important to understand
and keep this in mind.
Besides the fact that any nation's world and its art are multi-faceted,
they are also multi-vectored. "Art Without Borders is a plastic
oratory. Resources of contemporary art are unending.
However, they address logic first and later deal with emotions. One
should not approach it by expressions of "It is beautiful" or "It
is not beautiful". To do so will be accepting defeat. In fact "Art
Without Borders" is a kind of independent public diplomacy. "Art
Without Borders" is common folks', not "Knights'" concern about the
destiny and the future of the region. The future, which does not
deny the past in any way. This is why it is necessary to meet at art
exhibitions. May be something will come to fruition.
After all there is not going to be new migration [relocation] of
people. We need to tolerate one another.
Translated from Russian by EK