Armenian fine art historically focused on religious illuminations, miniatures, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury. These treasure vaults found in monasteries and cathedrals protected religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.  

Drawing from the Museum’s vaults—our own gandzaran—this exhibit showcases the development of Armenian art in the 20th and 21st centuries, from its origins in Armenian religious motifs, to the censorship of the Soviet period, to Armenian art’s continuous reinterpretation among contemporary artists around the world. The exhibition demonstrates the full breadth of that history both in Armenia and the Diaspora, juxtaposing tradition and modernity, religion and secularism, individualism and community; each piece proposing a wildly different notion of Armenian art. Despite the diversity of the work displayed here, certain themes and materials come to the fore: bread, motherhood, manuscripts, collage—commonalities which point towards a shared Armenian experience.  

Although these works represent only a small fraction of the Armenian Museum’s holdings, we hope it gives visitors a small glimpse of the range and complexity of the Museum's modern and contemporary art collection. We welcome the opportunity to share our gandzaran with you!  

Exhibition curated by Ryann Casey. Co-curated by Gary Lind-Sinanian and Elias Trout.  

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Ryann Casey is a New Jersey based artist, curator, and educator. Casey holds a BA in Photography with a minor in Gender Studies from Stockton University and an MFA/MS in Photography and Art History from Pratt Institute. She currently works as the Exhibition Coordinator at the Stockton University Gallery and is an adjunct Professor of Photography, Art History and Critical Theory. Casey’s current photographic and curatorial projects focus on themes of loss, trauma, and memory.

List of Artists:

Armen Adilkhanian, Gagik Aroutiunian, Minas Avetisyan, Martin Barooshian, Maria Manukyan Batlle, Jean Carzou, Edgar Chahine, Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut, Khoren Der Harootian, Felix Eghiazarian, Charles Garabedian, Sarkis Hamalbashian, Melkon Hovhannisyan, Eduard Isabekyan, Jean Jansem, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Grigor Khanjyan, Kevork Mourad, Reuben Nakian,
Naomi Pridjian, Hovsep Pushman, Martiros Sarian, Vakhtang Sirunyan, and Apo Torosyan.

News

Art New England Review of Gandzaran! at the Armenian Museum of America

Written by Maureen Canney, Art New England

When one hears about the private vaults of a museum, it conjures images of a treasure hunt or some archaeological endeavor. At the Armenian Museum of America, they have termed a new exhibit, Gandzaran—an Armenian word related to the monastic vaults of old, where religious works were kept safe and protected. The Museum has opened its vault to this contemporary/modern art collection showcasing 39 works by 24 artists from around the world.

Artscope: Treasures Unveiled in ‘Gandzaran!’ Present Contemporary View of Armenians Today

Written by Erica DeMato, Artscope Magazine

The Armenian Museum of America, located in Watertown, not only contextualizes Armenia’s lengthy and turmoiled past, but it also presents a more contemporary view of Armenian people today. Treasures are unveiled in “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from our Collection,” threading generations of people together through modern interpretations of a shared culture. Shadows, carvings, etchings and textiles all permanently engrave the history of a displaced country onto a physical plane, memorializing the lives that were lost to a genocide.

Melkon Hovhannisyan’s impressionistic paintings are earthy and moody, with vibrant colors that bleed into one another and subjects that are almost indistinguishable from their background. “The Walk,” 1995, is a momentary glimpse of two figures, faceless and limbless yet they still feel alive. It seems as though the two people are moving forward despite being pushed back by an imagined wind, making their journey even more difficult. The figure toward the right of the painting almost appears to have a pair of wings, hearkened by the gossamer-thin streak of white just below their head. Maybe it is a guiding angel, encouraging the person in the foreground to continue ahead despite their troubles.

Watertown cable network covers gandzaran: See the Armenian Museum of America's Latest Art Gallery

'Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection' provides a glimpse into contemporary and modern art that has been donated over the years. Curator, Ryann Casey poses the question, “what is Armenian art in a contemporary world and how varied and complex can it be?” as she explains why certain pieces were chosen to be part of this new exhibition. Gandzaran (Treasury) showcases 39 works by 24 artists from around the world including Minas Avetisyan, Martiros Sarian, Reuben Nakian, Naomi Pridjian, Jean Jansem, Jean Carzou, Edgar Chahine, Martin Barooshian, and Kevork Mourad.

Gandzaran/Treasury Exhibition Puts Spotlight on OUR Collection

The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown has recently opened its latest exhibition in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.”

In recent centuries, Armenian fine art often focused on illuminations, reliquaries, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury, of a monastery. These treasure vaults were designed to protect religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.

“Drawing from the vaults of the Museum here in Boston, its own gandzaran of sorts, this exhibit highlights the development of Armenian art in the 20th and 21st centuries, from religious motifs to the Soviet period and its continuous reinterpretation among contemporary artists around the world,” says Curator Ryann Casey.

“It’s a show full of diversity that demonstrates the breadth of history in Armenia and the Diaspora, featuring paintings, etchings, and sculpture,” adds Ms. Casey.

Select Photos from member Preview:

Thank you to all that were able to attend the opening of our new contemporary exhibit, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.” We are proud to host members of the museum for exclusive events such as this, as a way of showing our gratitude for your proactive support. This exhibit will be on view this spring and summer so we hope everyone will have a chance to view this extraordinary exhibit.

installation images: