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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
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