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GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL REJECTS DONATED PAINTING BY IRANIAN-ARMENIAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
January 27, 2012 - 12:34 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - An oil painting featuring the Statue of Liberty
surrounded by the floating heads of popular Armenian figures recently
became the first donated work of art to the city in more than a decade
to be turned down, Glendale News-Press reported.
The painting also includes flowing wheat, Mt. Ararat and a statue of
an Armenian princess.
While one commissioner called it "a beautiful theme," the painting
failed to make it past the Arts & Culture Commission or City Council
and onto a city-owned office wall - the first time that's happened
since 2000, said Public Art Project Manager Ripsime Marashian.
According to a staff report, the 18-by-24 inch painting, appraised
at $1,800, also wasn't of the highest aesthetic quality.
The artist, Anita Garouni, is an Iranian immigrant with Armenian
ancestry who has lived in Glendale for 15 years. She told the
commission that her painting, titled "Home," represents the love she
feels for the United States and her Armenian culture.
Marashian said the city's decision-making process for accepting
donated art includes considering the work's relation to the city,
maintenance requirements and aesthetics.
Since 2000, the city has received 10 donated pieces of art, including
Garouni's. Most have been paintings, Marashian said.
The last accepted art donation was in 2008. The sculpture, which was
made public last year, represents the helmet and coat of a Glendale
firefighter who suffered burns over more than 70% of his body while
battling a fire nearly 15 years ago.
In 2003, the city accepted two donated paintings by artist Zadik
Zadikian of a 1940s police car and an old police shield. Zadikian had
offered the city a third similar painting, but he wanted $20,000 for
it, so the city passed on the offer.
Grigorian said he hoped the rejection of Garouni's painting didn't
deter other artists from donating to the city.
The city also plans to unveil an arts-focused website in coming months
that will hopefully spur additional donations, Marashian said.
From: A. Papazian
PanARMENIAN.Net
January 27, 2012 - 12:34 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - An oil painting featuring the Statue of Liberty
surrounded by the floating heads of popular Armenian figures recently
became the first donated work of art to the city in more than a decade
to be turned down, Glendale News-Press reported.
The painting also includes flowing wheat, Mt. Ararat and a statue of
an Armenian princess.
While one commissioner called it "a beautiful theme," the painting
failed to make it past the Arts & Culture Commission or City Council
and onto a city-owned office wall - the first time that's happened
since 2000, said Public Art Project Manager Ripsime Marashian.
According to a staff report, the 18-by-24 inch painting, appraised
at $1,800, also wasn't of the highest aesthetic quality.
The artist, Anita Garouni, is an Iranian immigrant with Armenian
ancestry who has lived in Glendale for 15 years. She told the
commission that her painting, titled "Home," represents the love she
feels for the United States and her Armenian culture.
Marashian said the city's decision-making process for accepting
donated art includes considering the work's relation to the city,
maintenance requirements and aesthetics.
Since 2000, the city has received 10 donated pieces of art, including
Garouni's. Most have been paintings, Marashian said.
The last accepted art donation was in 2008. The sculpture, which was
made public last year, represents the helmet and coat of a Glendale
firefighter who suffered burns over more than 70% of his body while
battling a fire nearly 15 years ago.
In 2003, the city accepted two donated paintings by artist Zadik
Zadikian of a 1940s police car and an old police shield. Zadikian had
offered the city a third similar painting, but he wanted $20,000 for
it, so the city passed on the offer.
Grigorian said he hoped the rejection of Garouni's painting didn't
deter other artists from donating to the city.
The city also plans to unveil an arts-focused website in coming months
that will hopefully spur additional donations, Marashian said.
From: A. Papazian