InternationalCafesjian Center for the Arts opens in Yerevan
A world-class museum in the heart of Armenia's capital
“Homeland and diaspora can accomplish anything together”
by Vincent Lima and Armine Amiryan
Published: Friday November 13, 2009 in Cafesjian Center for the Arts
President Serge Sargsyan, center, arrives at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, along with Catholicos Karekin II. He is greeted by Gerard L. Cafesjian. On the left, behind the president, is Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan. Yerevan, November 8, 2009. Mkhitar Khachatryan
The art of glass keeps the viewer guessing about light, color, and more. Gallery One, Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Yerevan, Nov. 8, 2009. Mkhitar Khachatryan
Yerevan - In the heart of Armenia's capital city, on the park leading to the towering Cascade Complex, and behind the Cascade's mask of white travertine, a new and wondrous world has been created. On Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, this world was unveiled in the presence of the benefactor who gave it to Armenia, Gerard L. Cafesjian, and his wife Cleo.
The new world is the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Attending the Grand Opening were President Serge Sargsyan, the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, and tens of thousands of Yerevan residents and their guests.
"For all these years we have heard of Arshile Gorky, and for the first time we have the chance to see his work and come into contact with it," a resident of the neighborhood said. On display in the Eagle gallery are 16 drawings and 7 paintings by Gorky, a monumental presence in American twentieth-century art.
On Sunday morning, in conjunction with the inauguration of the Libenský Brychtová exhibition "For Armenia," Yaroslava Brychtová signed posters and copies of a book dedicated to the innovative glass work she has done over the decades in collaboration with her late husband Stanislav Libenský. The exhibition is housed in the Sasuntsi Davit Hall.
"Raised our standards"
In the hall, scores of art lovers - ranging from schoolchildren to art critics - spoke to Ms. Brychtová about the nature of her collaboration with her husband, the process of creating their glass art, their relationship with Armenia, and meanings to be found in their abstract work.
"This center has raised our standards and our expectations," Karen Aghamyan, the president of the Artists Union of Armenia, said. He added that Armenians will no longer settle for anything less. "We have a new center that is contemporary and meets international standards. It is a great gift for Armenia."
Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd, former wives of the Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison, met for the first time in decades and shared a stage for the first time ever. They spoke about their husbands' extraordinary lives and music. On the stage of the Special Events Auditorium, Dr. Michael De Marsche, executive director of the center, interviewed the celebrities. After the interview, Ms. Lennon signed copies of her book, John, and Ms. Boyd - who was also married to blues and rock legend Eric Clapton - signed copies of her book Wonderful Today.
In the Sasuntsi Davit Garden Hall, an exhibit of Ms. Boyd's photographs, "Pattie Boyd: Yesterday and Today," is on display through the end of January. The exhibition lends an intimate view into the lives of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, the Beatles, and Ms. Boyd herself. This unique body of photographs, representing 40 years of work, has garnered attention from art critics internationally, and much of it has toured two continents.
Vivid colors
"Very interesting works are on display," 21-year-old Goharik Harutyunan said. "This is no ordinary cultural center. It is a new look, a new style. Our cultural life needed a change, and that has come true."
In Khanjyan Hall, President Serge Sargsyan and Catholicos Karekin II unveiled Grigor Khanjyans' restored triptych mural. Also present was the late artist's daughter Seda Khanjyan. The triptych tells the story of Armenia through independence in vivid colors. Familiar faces from Armenian history populate the panels.
Gor Muradyan, 35, said, "The works of various masters broaden our horizons. We must maintain the cleanliness of the Cascade, its beauty, like a sacred site. People who come here take something valuable away with them, something that will stay with them forever."
In the same hall on Sunday, Michael Kimmelman, the chief art critic of the New York Times, delivered a lecture on his Pulitzer Prize-nominated book The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa. He suggested that art is created not just by the artist, but also by the spectator, who helps define and create it through his or her own perception, experience, sensitivity, and imagination.
A great achievement
Hranush Hakobyan, the diaspora minister, was very pleased with what she saw. "I am happy that this museum is opening in Yerevan, where it can greatly help the development of our country's tourism industry. It is the best example of Armenia-diaspora collaboration."
A long line had formed outside the Eagle Garden Hall, where "In the Mind of the Collector" was on display. On view is an eclectic collection ranging from a 28-foot model of a ship upon which Mr. Cafesjian served in the Pacific during World War II, to a rare 1906 Model N Ford Runabout, and a working model of a Wabash steam locomotive.
"This is a great achievement for Mr. Cafesjian and for all those who have worked on this project," said Joseph Pennington, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. "A great deal of work has gone into this great world of art, which can be a source of pride. I saw names here that I have only seen in the leading museums of the world. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is going to be one of Yerevan's greatest attractions,"
At the top level of the Cascade, next to a room dedicated to Swarovski Light Socks - mesh socks filled with hundreds of crystals with a light buried among them - is the Special Events Auditorium. Here, on Saturday night, President Sargsyan, the Catholicos, Mr. Cafesjian, and guests listened to jazz as they enjoyed a spectacular view of the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden at Tamanyan Park and nighttime Yerevan.
