Artists, art managers and public figures in the "ARTFOCUS" pavilion discuss the most important events in the art world, the transformations of art, and issues concerning modern artists.
 
Author and Moderator: Anahit Margaryan
 
Director: Vardges Manukyan

 

 

Art critic Ivet Tajaryan talks about Markos Grigoryan


Painter, collector, gallerist, curator, actor, founder of the earth art movement Markos Grigoryan donated to Armenia about 2000 samples of Armenian, Iranian and European applied art, which have a history of 6 thousand years. He proposed by his example to develop Armenian carpet weaving in new directions. In "Artfocus" Anahit Margaryan and Candidate of Art History, Head of the Mashtots Matenadaran Museum Ivet Tajaryan discussed Markos Grigoryan's activities.

"...and it's snowing outside!"


Three completely different characters, three different personalities tell their unfortunate biography from the stage, seasoning it with humor, jokes, and funny dialogues. However, the ending is tragic. The play "...and it's snowing outside" by the famous Italian playwright, screenwriter, actor, and director Vincenzo Saleme was staged at the Sos Sargsyan National Theater by director, actor David Hakobyan. In "Artfocus" Anahit Margaryan hosted two of the three main actors of the play: Varsham Gevorgyan and Stepan Ghambaryan.

Activities of the Stepanakert Russian Drama Theater in Yerevan


Shogher Sargsyan, Harutyun Andreasyan
The Stepanakert Russian Drama Theater is the only theater in Artsakh that continues to operate in Yerevan. The theater does not have its own hall and rehearsal rooms, but it continues to stage performances, experiment with new formats, participate in festivals, and even receive awards. Actors Shogher Sargsyan and Harutyun Andreasyan spoke in “Artfocus” about the activities of the Stepanakert Russian Drama Theater, the difficulties and victories of building a new life and establishing a new home in Yerevan.

Samvel Ghazaryan: The Path of Creation


Exhibition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the birth of Samvel Ghazaryan
The art of sculptor Samvel Ghazaryan is distinguished by its broad genre and thematic coverage, deep content and figurative diversity. His works combine lyricism and mysticism. Ghazaryan's works are among the most important achievements of Armenian sculpture, which combine traditional heritage, unique stylistic approaches and universal ideas. These days, the National Gallery of Armenia is hosting the exhibition "Samvel Ghazaryan. The Path of Creation", dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the artist's birth. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with the curator of the exhibition, art critic, head of the sculpture department of the National Gallery of Armenia, Mariam Davtyan, at "Artfocus".

The new collection of the epic "Sasna Tsrer"


The oral versions of the national epic poem "Sasna Tsrer" have been written down since 1873. The most famous is the collected manuscript created in 1939 based on those versions. Few people know that in addition to this collected manuscript, two more similar manuscripts were created at different times, and the fourth manuscript will be published in 2025. The author is literary critic, epic scholar Hayk Hambardzumyan. In "Artfocus", Hayk Hambardzumyan spoke about the typological analysis of the oral versions of the epic poem "Sasna Tsrer", his monographs on the epic, and the peculiarities of the new collected manuscript.

Harutyun Arzumanyan's activities


Harutyun Arzumanyan conducts 10-15 concerts and performances per month at the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater. He collaborates with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the Armenian State Chamber Orchestra, performing works that are rarely performed in Armenia. Anahit Margaryan discussed the conductor's activities and musical interests, the path of development, and the current issues in the field with Harutyun Arzumanyan, conductor of the Al. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater.

Tatevik Shakhkulyan


Komitas Museum-Institute is Ten Years Old
In 1969, the need to create a Komitas Museum was discussed, but only ten years ago, in 2015, the tangran-institute, presenting the heritage of folklorist, musicologist, composer, performer, conductor, singer and poet Komitas, opened its doors to the public. Over the past ten years, the museum-institute has formed a musicological library, a scientific center, concert evenings and educational programs have been held in the concert hall. Numerous temporary exhibitions have been opened, books and articles dedicated to Komitas have been published. The most important achievements of the museum-institute, the events expected within the framework of the anniversary, and the development programs of the museum-institute were presented at “Artfocus” by Tatevik Shakhkulyan, the acting director of the Komitas Museum-Institute.

Harutyun Khachatryan is 70 years old


Director, documentarian, member of the European Film Academy, co-founder of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, and president of the Union of Filmmakers Harutyun Khachatryan has turned 70. Anahit Margaryan spoke with the director about the work done at the Union, the program to create a film school, and cinema.

New trend: fine art industry


In recent years, companies that transform contemporary fine art into applied art pieces - scarves, jewelry, designer clothing - have become very popular in Armenia. What potential does this emerging industry have in Armenia? How are applied art companies positioned in the market and what role do they play in the processes of creating contemporary art? Anahit Margaryan spoke with Arevik Arakelyan, founder of the Artuyt company, and Lusine Avdalyan, founder of the LAVart 

Vache Sharafyan


The opening concert of the 16th Festival of Armenian Composers' Art will be marked by the premiere of Vache Sharafyan's "Graceful, Prayerful" symphony, dedicated to the 850th anniversary of the repose of St. Nerses the Graceful, the Patriarch of All Armenians and the rededication of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Ahead of the premiere, Anahit Margaryan spoke with composer Vache Sharafyan at "Artfocus".

Serzh Avetikian


The fourth edition of the “Bilingual Dramatic Workshop” in Armenia: Serzh Avetikian is on “Artfocus”
 
The “Bilingual Dramatic Workshop” has been operating for 3 years at the initiative of French-Armenian actor, film director, and producer Serzh Avetikian. As in previous years, this year too the workshop will bring together 25 young actors and will provide them with the opportunity to get acquainted with the methodology of work of internationally recognized guest artists, the traditions and trends of modern theater and cinema. At the end of the program, ten young artists will have the opportunity to undergo professional internship in France. Serzh Avetikian spoke about the “Bilingual Dramatic Workshop,” as well as other theater and cinema projects, on “Artfocus.” The program was hosted by Anahit Margaryan.

The interactions of religion and culture


Christmas, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection have been key themes of Christian culture for nearly 2,000 years. These most significant historical events of all time have been retold for centuries through spiritual and secular music, various forms of fine art, theater, and cinema. Anahit Margaryan's guest on "Artfocus" is Doctor of Art History, Professor Mher Navoyan, who reflected on the manifestations of Christianity in art, the interactions of religion and culture.