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Captive Of Consecutive Dolphinarium

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  • Captive Of Consecutive Dolphinarium

    NPAK: CAPTIVE OF CONSECUTIVE DOLPHINARIUM
    By: Siranush Papyan

    "Jamanak" Daily
    November 9, 2010, Yerevan, Armenia
    http://www.1in.am/arm/armenia_arts_1725.html in Armenian

    GOBBLE UP TO THE END

    CONTEMPORARY ART CENTERS STARTED HERE IN THE NINETIES, AFTER THE
    INDEPENDENCE: NPAK, "EX VOTO", "HYART", CHARLIE KHACHATRIAN GALLERY, ETC.
    However, as time passed by these entities either closed down or changed
    their role and significance. It is only NPAK which continues to keep
    obligations it has assumed until today.

    As they say, nothing is left of "Hyart" which belongs to the
    municipality. As stated by artist Arman Grigorian, "when 'Hyart' changed its
    management it stopped engaging in contemporary art anymore. Thus, of
    contemporary art centers it is only NPAK (Armenian acronym for Armenian
    Center for Contemporary Experimental Art) which still continues to do what
    it had declared at the outset".

    NPAK was founded in 1992 by Sonia and Edward Balassanian, who had moved
    to Armenia from the USA. However, today the center which has worked in
    Armenia for two decades, is in danger of being closed. During our
    conversation with Edward Balassanian he stated "Since 1992 we have literally
    started working with contemporary artists, as well as engaged in the process
    of organizing contemporary art". The first exhibition organized by the
    center was called "Nine" because the couple had "searched" and discovered
    nine artists. Today 30 artists have been presented in the exhibition, but in
    the past their number reached 60, which in present-day Armenia is a good
    indicator. And although NPAK actively continues organizing exhibitions and
    festivals (presently there is "Festival of One Square Meter Theater without
    Theater") so called black clouds are hanging over it...

    It is about two years now that the word is around that the Municipality
    any moment will take away the building where NPAK is located. The issue is
    that the Government has given the building to the Municipality for its
    "use".

    Minister of Culture has written a letter to the Mayor asking to leave the
    space to NPAK, but... We found out from the Ministry of Culture that in
    Municipality response it has been stated that according to a number of
    decisions of the Government of Republic of Armenia, dated 23.09.2004, the
    Pavstos Byuzand Street 1/3 building has been transferred to Yerevan
    Community, where a number of subdivisions of the Municipality, and
    organizations under its jurisdiction are going to be located. However,
    Edward Balassanian during our conversation stated that they have been
    assured by high-level sources that there is no need to worry, the building
    will not be taken away.

    Now, the center continues organizing its functions, festivals and
    exhibitions, i.e. it continues its activities in full force. To our question
    on whether there are any pressures, Edward Balassanian replied that they
    have been working in Armenia for 18 years and there has not been even the
    slightest pressure. But to the question whether a center like NPAK can
    survive with self-financing or not, he gave negative answer, adding that
    there needs to be ?[public] funding. But for the past 20 years NPAK has
    survived at the expense of Diaspora benefactors.

    We enquired from artist Arman Grigorian on how important is NPAK for the
    society? He replied "During the first years of independence representatives
    of the artistic community of Diaspora came to Armenia, but now from those
    art centers only NPAK is left, which has the space and assists young and
    established artists to show". And to the question of why is the Government
    indifferent and why is NPAK under the danger of being closed, he replied
    "Contemporary art is sign of democracy and free society, but here the ruling
    oligarchic system, and those who carry its way of thinking, neither
    appreciate, nor want to understand what it is, and only intuitively feel
    that it is against their overall comprehension". But closing of such a
    center, according to the artist "will be very bad for two reasons: First, it
    will be a big blow to contemporary art. Secondly, Diaspora is apolitical. It
    supports the government [irrespective of its politics]. With this action it
    will be alienated, which according to the artist is not good, because
    Armenia and Diaspora have enormous potential. From such collaboration can
    benefit not only citizens of Armenia but also Diaspora Armenians, because
    the closed system of Diaspora communities is in need of contact and
    development. This is why such centers are important. NPAK performs such a
    role, and it will be pity if it seizes to exist". says Arman Grigorian.






    From: A. Papazian
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