“Watertown’s Armenian Museum Widens Our View”: Artscope Review on ‘Filtered Identity’

Mirror Metamorphosis Reimagined I, 2022, mixed media on paper, 40” x 40”

by J.M. Belmont of Artscope

Can you believe what you see, especially when it comes to yourself? In a digital world saturated with artificially generated imagery and where the polished unreality of social media is paramount, life becomes an interminable sequence of double takes. Our perspectives of ourselves are as manicured as our presentations to others, leading to a confusion of identity as the public overruns the private.

The Armenian Museum of America addresses this contradictory reality with “Filtered Identity: The Art of Tigran Tsitoghdzyan.” Though Tsitoghdzyan’s works aren’t digital creations, one could be forgiven for thinking so. What at first appears to be a show of large-scale photographs is in actuality a collection of hyper-realistic paintings.

In his 13-piece exhibition, Tsitoghdzyan asks us “to confront the tension between who we are and how we are seen.” Divided into two sections, “Mirror” and “Self- Isolation,” “Filtered Identity” surveys the past five years of his painting career: the former focusing on “the duality of self-presentation;” the latter a reaction to the early Covid- 19 lockdowns.

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A snapshot from our opening reception of the latest contemporary exhibition "Filtered Identity: The Art of Tigran Tsitoghdzyan.” On view through February 2025.

We are thrilled to share that our exhibitions and programming are flourishing, attracting record numbers of visitors. Our galleries--featuring a stunning array of contemporary, medieval, and ancient art--stand alongside the finest museums in the country. We have established ourselves as a premier destination in Boston, welcoming both Armenian and non-Armenian audiences alike.

Here are just a few highlights of our recent achievements:

• Record Attendance: Each year, we welcome thousands of visitors to our expansive three floors of gallery space. Our new displays--including exquisite jewelry, traditional folk instruments, and intricate textiles--captivate and inspire.

• Exciting Exhibitions: We recently launched Tigran Tsitoghdzyan’s groundbreaking exhibition, “Filtered Identity.” His striking hyper-realistic paintings blend classical and modern art.

• Expanding Digital Reach: Our online programming is making our remarkable collection accessible to members across the nation and beyond, fostering a greater appreciation for Armenian culture.

• Collaborative Ventures: Selected by Bank of America as one of just 23 cultural institutions globally for its prestigious Art Conservation Project, we have collaborated with conservators from the Matenadaran to restore rare, illuminated manuscripts in our collection including one dating back to the 13th century!

• Growing Membership: Our membership is at an all-time high, but we need your continued support to sustain this momentum. Being part of our Museum comes with exceptional benefits.

We invite you to renew today. Your membership directly supports our mission to share the rich history and culture of Armenia with the world. Join us in this vital work and be a part of our community’s success story.

Catholicos Aram I Visits the Museum

There was a buzz in the Museum as we welcomed Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia back to our galleries on Oct. 11 to tour our galleries and meet our leadership and staff. His Holiness was warmly greeted by Museum President Michele Kolligian, Vice President Robert Khederian, and Trustees Byron Hartunian and Mark Kolligian.

His Holiness was accompanied by Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian of the Eastern Prelacy, Archbishop Kegham Kacherian of the Western Prelacy, and several esteemed clergy and leaders of the church including Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Watertown.

They toured the galleries and stopped at several items of interest including the NFL Artsakh Cleats that were donated to the Museum by Michele Kolligian and Robert Khederian to raise awareness about the ethnic cleansing and cultural erasure of Armenians from Artsakh since the war.

On Oct. 13, Catholicos Aram I used the arm reliquary from our collection in the Divine Liturgy at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown. It is the first time this sacred 18th-19th object was used in an official church service since it was rescued from looting or certain destruction in the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Aghavny Demirjian bequeathed this important work of art and Christian heritage to the Museum in 2008, so it can be shared with the public as a testament to Armenia’s faith and survival.

Duo Recital with Haig Hovsepian & Matias Cuevas

Live music returned to our contemporary galleries on Oct. 3 with a recital by Haig Hovsepian (violin) and Matias Cuevas (piano), sponsored by the Dadourian Foundation.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome you all tonight as we are dedicated to preserving and celebrating Armenian culture. I’m thrilled to have you join us for this special event where art and music collide,” stated Development Director Sarah Hayes, who went on to highlight the current exhibition of hyper-realistic paintings by Tigran Tsitoghdzyan.

The following works were performed: Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22 (Clara Schumann), Adagio from the ballet Spartacus (Aram Khachaturian), Much Ado About Nothing Suite for Violin and Piano (Erich Wolfgang Korngold), Rhapsody (Edward Baghdasarian), and Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 13 (Gabriel Fauré).

Photos by Daniel Ayriyan

Hyper-Realistic Paintings Explore Artist’s Innate Quest for Creative Autonomy

The Armenian Museum of America recently announced the opening of its next contemporary art exhibition, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan’s “Filtered Identity.” Tigran is a New York-based artist whose oversized photo-realistic paintings merge an interest in classical and modern art with an emphasis on his own experiences as a father and an immigrant. At first look, his artworks appear to be photographs, but the portraits are hyper-realistic oil paintings.

There will be an Opening Reception with the artist on Thursday, September 19 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

“We cannot wait for the community to experience this new exhibit in our contemporary art galleries. You will be amazed to see these giant works. Most people will assume they are photographs and be completely surprised that they are oil paintings!” says Executive Director Jason Sohigian. “Tigran is exhibiting all over the world and it is an honor to share his art in our galleries in Greater Boston. When his studio in Yerevan is open to the public, nearly a thousand people stream in on a single day to view these pieces.”

Tigran Tsitoghdzyan’s oversized photo-realistic paintings merge an interest in classical and modern art. Image credit: “Self-Isolation IV” (2022), 80" x 80", oil on canvas.

Tigran’s work has been exhibited widely including Art Basel Miami, Cube Art Fair in Times Square, and globally in cities such as Dubai, Singapore, Istanbul, Cannes, Zurich, Monaco, and Brussels.

“These breakout works have catapulted Tsitoghdzyan to A-list status as a portrait and multi-media artist. His high productivity has sustained his success in high-end markets across the globe—from prominent galleries and prestigious art fairs to major foundations, renowned auction houses, biennales, and festivals,” writes Laura L. Constantine in a profile for the AGBU Insider. “While the name Tsitoghdzyan may be impossible for most to pronounce, his works are impossible to ignore, as they bring a new dimension of intensity, intrigue, and insight to contemporary portraiture.”

“Filtered Identity” is curated by Ryann Casey. Ryann is a New Jersey-based artist and educator. She is an adjunct Professor of Photography, Art History and Critical Theory at Stockton University, and her current photographic and curatorial projects focus on themes of loss, trauma, and memory. 

“Filtered Identity” runs from September 19, 2024 to February 23, 2025 in the AMA’s third floor Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries.

For more information, visit www.armenianmuseum.org/tigran.The Armenian Museum of America is located at 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA, and the gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.