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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Artist Emil Kazaz is Slated to be Honored in Pasadena by AGBU
Pasadena, CA - Taking place in Pasadena in early November is an
outstanding three-day tribute to the life and art of Emil Kazaz -
world-renowned sculptor and painter. Kazaz, who is known for his
juxtaposition of mythical creatures, classic yet modern figures, and a
playful view of the world, will be honored by AGBU for his lifetime
achievements.
Starting Friday, November 6, and continuing through Sunday, November 8,
Emil Kazaz's latest works will be on exhibit at the AGBU Center in
Pasadena, California. This will be an exceptional opportunity to meet
the artist, view and discuss his works, and purchase his paintings,
sculptures, and mixed media pieces.
The climax of the weekend will be a tribute event at the AGBU Pasadena
Center on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 7:30pm. The public is invited
to attend this free event and join art connoisseurs, critics, collectors
and fellow artists for an evening of stimulation, presentation and
musical entertainment.
Especially invited distinguished speakers for the November 7th tribute
will include internationally esteemed art historian and author Shahen
Khachatryan, who is currently the cultural advisor to His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the director of the Arshile
Gorky Gallery in Armenia. A graduate of the Leningrad Academy of the
Arts, Khachatryan has managed the National Art Gallery in Yerevan, and
has served as the director of the highly regarded Martiros Sarian
Museum. His vast knowledge of 19th - and 20th-century Armenian art will
be a great asset in the night's discussion of Emil Kazaz's art. Most
recently, Khachatryan published two prestigious art books on
19th-century Russian-Armenian seascape painter Hovhannes Aivazovsky and
early 20th-century modernist painter Martiros Sarian.
Joe Lewis, a nationally known artist, author and educator who is
currently serving as Dean of Alfred University's School of Art & Design,
in Alfred, New York, will also speak at the event. Throughout his
career, he has come across the masterful work of Emil Kazaz. His close
association with Kazaz led Lewis to author many articles and essays on
his art and the philosophy behind his creations. He will help shed light
on Kazaz's oeuvre. Lewis is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he
received a Master of Fine Arts degree, and from the Maryland College
Institute of Art, as a Ford Foundation fellow. He has likened the
characters and situations in Kazaz's art to the "adventurers of Homer,
moving through unreal worlds of appearances where nothing is what it
seems."
The evening presentation will be accompanied by the majestic music of
Vatche Mankerian, internationally renowned pianist, composer, conductor,
author, lecturer and a dedicated advocate of Armenian music. Mankerian
holds a master's degree from the USC Thornton School of Music where he
studied with Stewart Gordon, Eduardo Delgado and Nancy Bricard. He has
performed as a soloist in the world's most revered venues spanning four
continents, including the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in Yerevan,
Armenia. Mankerian, who has won several international competitions, has
been praised by many major media outlets, including the Los Angeles
Times, which wrote: "Mankerian performed with quiet poetry... there was
nothing assembly-line about the reading." The Cleveland Plain Dealer
described him as "a bold and vibrant performer."
Adding to the musical interlude will be operatic tenor Bakur
Kalantaryan, who started his musical career at the age of eleven at one
of Armenia's leading music schools, where he studied under Professor
Nona Melkumova. During his four years at the Komitas Conservatory in
Yerevan, he received numerous awards and delivered over a hundred
performances. More recently, Kalantaryan was awarded the gold medal and
named Grand Champion Vocalist of the Year during the World Championship
of Performing Arts, held in Los Angeles, California. He is a proud
scholar of international tenor Vahan Mirakian. Much adored by Kazaz
himself, Kalantaryan's empowering voice will be a perfect complement.
His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Western), will attend the event and
represent His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Sinan
Sinanian, representing the AGBU Central Board of Directors, and Berj
Shahbazian, chairman of the AGBU Southern California District Committee,
will also assist.
The three-day celebration is organized by the AGBU Southern California
District Committee and the AGBU Kazaz Tribute Committee chaired by Haig
Messerlian, with members Ani Aivazian (vice-chairperson), Ara
Arzumanian, Ara Babayan, Sonia Babayan, Ani Babian, Nairie Balian, Houry
Boghossian, Eada Bourian, Ani Boyadjian, Ben Charchian, Maral Ghazarian,
Garine Haytayan, Vahe Imasdounian, Ivan Kesian, Aleen Khanjian, Vartouhy
Kojayan, Yeva Manucharyan, Avedis Markarian, Silva Nazaretian, Siran
Oknayan, Krikor Satamian, Shaghig Sepetjian, Garine Seuylemezian, Tamar
Sinanian, Maida Tchaprazian, Shake Toumayan and Aline Yeterian.
For more information, please call AGBU at: (626) 794-7942. The AGBU
Center is located at 2495 E. Mountain St, Pasadena, California 91104.
Event dates are as follows:
Art Exhibition:
Friday and Saturday, Nov 6th-7th, 7:30 - 10:30 pm
Sunday, Nov 8th, 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Tribute Event:
Saturday, Nov 7th, 7:30 pm
With chapters in Glendale, Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego and San
Fernando, AGBU SCDC (www.agbuca.org) oversees a host of cultural, youth
and educational programs in Southern California that include the
Generation Next Mentorship Program, the Ardavazt Theater Group,
Sardarabad Dance Ensemble, the Hye Geen movement, Asbeds, Young
Professionals (Orange County & Los Angeles), scouts, athletic teams, and
a local Ladies' Committee. SCDC carries on AGBU's mission and maintains
a prominent role in one of the largest and most vibrant Armenian
communities in the world. Southern California is also home to two of
AGBU's leading day schools, the Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in
Canoga Park and the AGBU Pasadena High School, which is the first new
day school to have been established in the Armenian diaspora during the
last decade.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Artist Emil Kazaz is Slated to be Honored in Pasadena by AGBU
Pasadena, CA - Taking place in Pasadena in early November is an
outstanding three-day tribute to the life and art of Emil Kazaz -
world-renowned sculptor and painter. Kazaz, who is known for his
juxtaposition of mythical creatures, classic yet modern figures, and a
playful view of the world, will be honored by AGBU for his lifetime
achievements.
Starting Friday, November 6, and continuing through Sunday, November 8,
Emil Kazaz's latest works will be on exhibit at the AGBU Center in
Pasadena, California. This will be an exceptional opportunity to meet
the artist, view and discuss his works, and purchase his paintings,
sculptures, and mixed media pieces.
The climax of the weekend will be a tribute event at the AGBU Pasadena
Center on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 7:30pm. The public is invited
to attend this free event and join art connoisseurs, critics, collectors
and fellow artists for an evening of stimulation, presentation and
musical entertainment.
Especially invited distinguished speakers for the November 7th tribute
will include internationally esteemed art historian and author Shahen
Khachatryan, who is currently the cultural advisor to His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the director of the Arshile
Gorky Gallery in Armenia. A graduate of the Leningrad Academy of the
Arts, Khachatryan has managed the National Art Gallery in Yerevan, and
has served as the director of the highly regarded Martiros Sarian
Museum. His vast knowledge of 19th - and 20th-century Armenian art will
be a great asset in the night's discussion of Emil Kazaz's art. Most
recently, Khachatryan published two prestigious art books on
19th-century Russian-Armenian seascape painter Hovhannes Aivazovsky and
early 20th-century modernist painter Martiros Sarian.
Joe Lewis, a nationally known artist, author and educator who is
currently serving as Dean of Alfred University's School of Art & Design,
in Alfred, New York, will also speak at the event. Throughout his
career, he has come across the masterful work of Emil Kazaz. His close
association with Kazaz led Lewis to author many articles and essays on
his art and the philosophy behind his creations. He will help shed light
on Kazaz's oeuvre. Lewis is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he
received a Master of Fine Arts degree, and from the Maryland College
Institute of Art, as a Ford Foundation fellow. He has likened the
characters and situations in Kazaz's art to the "adventurers of Homer,
moving through unreal worlds of appearances where nothing is what it
seems."
The evening presentation will be accompanied by the majestic music of
Vatche Mankerian, internationally renowned pianist, composer, conductor,
author, lecturer and a dedicated advocate of Armenian music. Mankerian
holds a master's degree from the USC Thornton School of Music where he
studied with Stewart Gordon, Eduardo Delgado and Nancy Bricard. He has
performed as a soloist in the world's most revered venues spanning four
continents, including the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in Yerevan,
Armenia. Mankerian, who has won several international competitions, has
been praised by many major media outlets, including the Los Angeles
Times, which wrote: "Mankerian performed with quiet poetry... there was
nothing assembly-line about the reading." The Cleveland Plain Dealer
described him as "a bold and vibrant performer."
Adding to the musical interlude will be operatic tenor Bakur
Kalantaryan, who started his musical career at the age of eleven at one
of Armenia's leading music schools, where he studied under Professor
Nona Melkumova. During his four years at the Komitas Conservatory in
Yerevan, he received numerous awards and delivered over a hundred
performances. More recently, Kalantaryan was awarded the gold medal and
named Grand Champion Vocalist of the Year during the World Championship
of Performing Arts, held in Los Angeles, California. He is a proud
scholar of international tenor Vahan Mirakian. Much adored by Kazaz
himself, Kalantaryan's empowering voice will be a perfect complement.
His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Western), will attend the event and
represent His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Sinan
Sinanian, representing the AGBU Central Board of Directors, and Berj
Shahbazian, chairman of the AGBU Southern California District Committee,
will also assist.
The three-day celebration is organized by the AGBU Southern California
District Committee and the AGBU Kazaz Tribute Committee chaired by Haig
Messerlian, with members Ani Aivazian (vice-chairperson), Ara
Arzumanian, Ara Babayan, Sonia Babayan, Ani Babian, Nairie Balian, Houry
Boghossian, Eada Bourian, Ani Boyadjian, Ben Charchian, Maral Ghazarian,
Garine Haytayan, Vahe Imasdounian, Ivan Kesian, Aleen Khanjian, Vartouhy
Kojayan, Yeva Manucharyan, Avedis Markarian, Silva Nazaretian, Siran
Oknayan, Krikor Satamian, Shaghig Sepetjian, Garine Seuylemezian, Tamar
Sinanian, Maida Tchaprazian, Shake Toumayan and Aline Yeterian.
For more information, please call AGBU at: (626) 794-7942. The AGBU
Center is located at 2495 E. Mountain St, Pasadena, California 91104.
Event dates are as follows:
Art Exhibition:
Friday and Saturday, Nov 6th-7th, 7:30 - 10:30 pm
Sunday, Nov 8th, 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Tribute Event:
Saturday, Nov 7th, 7:30 pm
With chapters in Glendale, Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego and San
Fernando, AGBU SCDC (www.agbuca.org) oversees a host of cultural, youth
and educational programs in Southern California that include the
Generation Next Mentorship Program, the Ardavazt Theater Group,
Sardarabad Dance Ensemble, the Hye Geen movement, Asbeds, Young
Professionals (Orange County & Los Angeles), scouts, athletic teams, and
a local Ladies' Committee. SCDC carries on AGBU's mission and maintains
a prominent role in one of the largest and most vibrant Armenian
communities in the world. Southern California is also home to two of
AGBU's leading day schools, the Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in
Canoga Park and the AGBU Pasadena High School, which is the first new
day school to have been established in the Armenian diaspora during the
last decade.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.