Aregnazan or Magical World: queer, Armenian, futuristic video-animation - re-interpreting Ghazaros Aghayan fairytale (fundraising)

The Queering Yerevan Collective’s Indiegogo fundraising campaign is nearing its end, with only 6 days left at the time of this posting. It’s an experimental video project by Arpi Adamyan and Melissa Boyajian called AREGNAZAN OR MAGICAL WORLD. This is a unique collaboration between two outstanding artists from Yerevan and Boston respectively, who reconstruct and reinvent Armenian writer Ghazaros Aghayan’s fairytale, originally written in 1887, in a completely new way.

You can find out more about the project here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/magical-world

Please, read artists' description below and make contribution to this queer, Armenian, futuristic video-animation, where the evil witch is replaced with an oligarch.


***
Aregnazan or Magical World is an adaptation of an Armenian epic fairytale by Ghazaros Aghayan. This olden day fairytale takes place near the base of Mount Ararat, a symbolic mountain to the Armenian people. The story begins with a father and his 3 children, 2 of which are beautiful girls. And the 3rd child, Aregnazan, was the most beautiful, but good spirits decided to hide the sex of Aregnazan until a day when it would need to be revealed for the greater good of the world. Aregnazan's father chooses to raise Aregnazan like his 2 daughter's, and dress them all in girl's clothes. However, Aregnazan disliked playing girl's games and learned how to ride a horse and use weapons. After the children grew up the father realized that there was future for them and that he must send 1 of his children out to fight for the king. He devises a test for them and disguises himself as a masked thief in an attempt to test the strength and will of his children. Aregnazan wins the test and leaves on a journey to save the king from a bear, defeat an evil witch who has imprisoned the citizens of the stone city, and save the ailing princess.

We are interested in adapting the story because of the unique representation of gender of Aregnazan within the story's beginning. However, the story remains very patriarchal and sexist in it's glorification of masculinity and lack of agency with the female characters. Aregnazan does not become a true hero in the story until completely transforming into a man. And of course the tropes of the sick princess, lovesick and waiting for her prince to save her as well as the wicked evil witch are also examples.

Our fantastical video animation is about Aregnazan's journey to self-discovery, redefining of traditions, love and revolution! Our piece is very important because it is offering an alternative narrative and representation of gender within Armenian culture! While our adaptation will still be following the journey of Aregnazan, Aregnazan's gender remains fluid throughout the story and will never become a man. Our version will also be reversing the roles of the weak female characters to be strong. The piece will make connections with socio-economic conditions of present day Armenia by replacing the evil witch with an oligarch, a symbol of the small very wealthy group of men that have monopolies on most of the resources of Armenia while a staggering portion of the population is unemployed. Some of the things Aregnazan encounters on their journey are a fight on a dangerous bridge, a meeting with a cyborg woman and a girl that can fly, and a revolutionary scene in the sleeping city!

The piece will not follow in a cut-and-dry filmic narrative fashion. The scenes contain performative actions between the characters that give reference to Armenian traditions and literature and reinterpret and queer their meanings. The performative gestures in some scenes can be likened to a choreographed dance of actions.  The video and animation will be layered together in post-production editing to make the already fantastical atmosphere even more stunning!

If you have not done so already, please visit our Indiegogo page and make a contribution to our project!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/magical-world

Armen Ra - US-based Iranian Armenian Theremin virtuoso - Crane, Komitas and more...

Absolutely brilliant!

Crane, Komitas



*via Wikipedia:

Armen Ra is an American artist and performer of Iranian-Armenian descent.

Born in Tehran, Iran, he was raised by his mother, a concert pianist, and his aunt, a renowned opera singer and Ikebana master. He taught himself to play Theremin, and is one of the best known players of the instrument alive today. His music fuses Armenian folk music with modern instrumentation, along with melodic lounge standards and classical arias. His concerts are known for their combination of both visual arts and his music.

Armen Ra has played at The United Nations, Wiener Konzerthaus Mozartsaal Vienna, CBGB's, Knitting Factory, La MaMa E.T.C., Joe's Pub, Boulder Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, The Gershwin Hotel, B.B. King Museum, and Dietch Projects. He has been featured on and appeared in: CNN, HBO, MTV, VH1, Vogue, The New York Times, The New York Post, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, and Glamour.

Having performed and recorded with various bands and on many projects (including a collaboration with legendary British recording artist Marc Almond, on the song "My Madness & I" from his 2010 release, Varieté), Armen Ra is considered one of the finest Thereminists in the World today. His debut solo CD, Plays The Theremin (released on Bowl & Fork Records in 2010), showcases many Classical Armenian laments and folk songs, representing both Armen's Heritage and his very first musical influence.

He currently resides in Hollywood, California and is openly gay.
***
Exile



Official website

The Statue of the Worker in Yerevan: homoerotic, in pictures and graffiti

I never realised before that this Worker’s statue in Yerevan (by sculptor Ara Harutyunyan, 1981) was... homoerotic. Now looking at these pictures of the statue, I suddenly started viewing it in a different light ;) I do not think this was the intended outcome by the sculptor, but, hey, this is the way I perceive it ;) Unfortunately, the statue got dismantled in 1997 to use as a scrap metal. Shame, really.

Now guerilla street art group “ArtLab” in Yerevan revived the memories of the Worker’s statue by making this graffiti at around the place of former statue to make the surroundings “complete” (idea by artist Arthur Petrosyan).

*pictures by Epress.am and Arthur Petrosyan Facebook page.

Ida Kar - Armenian "bohemian photographer"- fashionista

She is described by The Guardian as “bohemian photographer who made history”. Works of Armenian photographer Ida Kar are currently on a high profile display at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Don't miss it if you can (until 19 June 2011).

Look at the glasses she wears on this picture I spotted at the exhibit. Very trendy by current standards too. Ida Kar, the fashionista, I'd say :)

Related on Unzipped:

YES! Armenian “bohemian photographer who made history” Ida Kar restrospective at the National Portrait Gallery in London

P.S. Ida Kar - Armenian "bohemian photographer" at National Portrait Gallery in London

Photostory by Svetlana Antonyan ('Ocean') on A1+: artist, gay, society...

Parajanov: imprisonment and prison art, British Film Institute, London

Pictures from an intimate exhibit at the British Film Institute, part of Parajanovian Festival in London, March 2010 (from my archives). They detail his imprisonment and prison art.

Riot, nudity... a very Armenian day in London gallery by artist Karen Grigoryan

It was a very strange, weird day in London. For the first time in decades, students riot erupted, clashes with police, surreal scenes you are more likely to see in Paris or Athens, but not in a more restrained London.

What this had to do with the exhibition of Armenian artist Karen Grigoryan in London, you may wonder? Well, there were some direct and indirect connections.

The opening of the exhibition coincided with the students riot, and the artist JUST managed to make it to his own exhibition, getting stuck in a travel chaos. Armenian fate :)

The exhibition - that contained some ‘risky’ images - was accompanied by Karen’s music, pomegranate wine and abundance of Armenian dry fruits and sweets.

It was an intimate affair, with a touch of class.

All exhibits were up for sale with the proceeds to go to the charity supported by the artist to buy Christmas presents for children in Gavar orphanage (Armenia).

P.S. Thanks to Karen for his present: CD album Emotions, a compilation of selected songs by songwriter-artist. I am listening to it while writing this post.

Vayach & Tsomak: “I want us to be WE...”

Rusty Pumpkin is an annual alternative media festival in Yerevan. It takes place at Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex and aimed at encouraging conceptual art, ‘raw art’, mainly via means of photography and video produced using non-professional equipment, including mobile phones.

This music video by Vayach and Tsomak “I want us to be WE...” was among five winners of the Rusty Pumpkin ‘Oscars’ this year (see picture below).

I really loved it. Pretty cool.

Lyrics and performance - by writer/artist Lusine Vayachyan, also known as Vayach. You may read her blog at http://vayach.wordpress.com/. For lyrics in English - see here.

Music and voice - by Tsomak, better known as lead vocalist and guitarist of Pincet / Incest, all-female electropunk rock bands based in Armenia.

Video montage - by contemporary artist Sona Abgaryan.



And now, thanks to Lusine Vayachyan, exclusive insight story behind the lyrics and this clip (AM):

Սա մի տխուր պատմություն է հենց վայաչի մասին...Սյն մասին, որ նա երկար ժամանակ սիրում է ocean-ին, նրանք ապրում են միասին եւ ocean-ը սիրահարվում է պարբերաբար ուրիշ աղջիկների... Նա այնքան է սիրում, որ օրերից մի օր, նրանից նեղացած նստած է լինում, եւ հանկարծ տեսնում է, թե աղջիկը ոնց է բացված քնել, նայում է նրան, լցվում քնքշանքով, ծածկում ու տաս րոպեում գրում այդ բանաստեղծությունը: Հետո Ծոմակը երեւի էլի ինչ-որ մի նման քնքշալի վիճակում գրում է երգը: վայաչը կապիկություններ է անում ու ինքն իրեն նկարում, Սոնան էլ մոնտաժ է անում: Երջանիկ մարդիկ, ցավոք, չեն արարում, նրանք վայելում են կյանքը: Արվեստը զոհեր է պահանջում նաեւ երջանկությունից....

*'Ժանգոտ դդումի օսկարը'

*Tsomak (left) and Vayach (right)

(pictures via Facebook)

Interview with Melissa Boyajian: "In Between: (re)Negotiating Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality"

Via Queering Yerevan, interview with Melissa Boyajian, Armenian artist from Boston who featured In Between: (re)Negotiating Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality at the Allegheny College Art Galleries.

Melissa Boyajian

Odalisque for Said, 2006

Image courtesy of the artist

(for full interview, follow the links above):

VG: Why did you use a beard in this image and not a mustache?

MB: I don't know if I am being too simple saying that I was working with the idea of the 'bearded lady.' The beard did not signify anything religious or anything from Bear culture. The bearded lady, however, aside from being a subject of laughter, ridicule or "schizonphrenic" subject with "gender confusion" problems, is also an individual pushing the boundaries of gender and normality that is appreciated in the queer community. Such as circus entertainer, writer and bearded lady Jennifer Miller.
[...]
VG: Do you see gender as binary?

MB: I see gender as performative and fluid, no binary at all.

[...] I have a group of gay friends in Armenia anyway. So I have different identities for different cultures. I go to Armenia every few years. My work also deals with this -- with the sexism and homophobia in Armenian culture.

Parajanovian London: Yuri Mechitov photo exhibit at the National Theatre (+ Mat Collishaw at BFI)

Highly recommend this exhibit at the National Theatre in London of rare or unseen photos by Yuri Mechitov, who was a close friend of Parajanov. Photos were taken by Mechitov during their 11-year friendship.

When I entered the foyer where the exhibit was located, this intimate photo of Mechitov and Parajanov (1st photo, below) grabbed my attention, and I started taking pictures. Then someone from behind said: "Why not taking pictures with the photographer himself?" I turned around and saw Yuri Mechitov. It was such a pleasant surprise and was great meeting him in person, so I took his photo (as per below). He was holding his recently published book: "Sergey Parajanov. Chronicle of the Dialogue."

*Parajanov with Yuri Mgoyan

*Parajanov with Tarkovsky

***

Also worth checking an installation (multimedia) by contemporary British artist Mat Collishaw, inspired by Parajanov, at the British Film Institute (BFI), which is literally next door to the National Theatre on the South Bank.

Parajanov at London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Must see!

Sergei Paradjanov: The Rebel + Ashik Kerib

A special screening to celebrate the distinctive voice of rebellious auteur Sergei Paradjanov.

This fascinating documentary is not a straightforward portrait of Paradjanov's life, but rather a fluid celebration of his talent and creativity. Focusing on the collages he produced during his years in prison, and featuring interviews with the director himself, Cazals' film demonstrates the scope of Paradjanov's artistic vision, lovingly commemorating this rebel of art cinema.

Director: Patrick Cazals
Country: France
Running time: 52min
Year: 2003

-Screening with-

Ashik Kerib
Paradjanov's final film is the story of a handsome lute player forbidden from marrying his true love, and sent away for 1001 nights to earn enough riches to satisfy her father. Inspired by Azerbaijan Folklore and packed with lush imagery, Ashik Kerib is a fitting swansong from a master. As with most of Paradjanov's films, there is no obvious homosexual content, although many critics have read Ashik's nomadic trek as a metaphor for the director's own banishment at the hands of the government, adding a fascinating personal layer to the film. MB

Director: Sergei Paradjanov, Dodo Abashidze
Cast: Yuri Mgoyan, Sofiko Chiaureli, Veronica Metonidze
Country: USSR
Running time: 76min
Year: 1988

Screening:
Wed 24 March | 18:10 | NFT3

In March, BFI Southbank celebrates the work of Sergei Paradjanov with a film season and symposium as well as a new commission for the BFI Gallery by acclaimed visual artist Mat Collishaw, whose new installation poetically conveys the spirit of Paradjanov's artistic endeavor. The exhibition continues until 9 May 2010. For further information please visit bfi.org.uk/gallery or bfi.org.uk/whatson.

*source: 24th BFI London & Gay Film Festival 17-31 March 2010

**More about Parajanov festival in London - see my earlier post here

Armenian gay icon Parajanov festival in London (February - May 2010)

He is one of my all time favourite film directors. For me, he is an Armenian gay icon. And not only for me... for many LGBT Armenians, Georgians, Ukrainians, Russians.... world-wide.

It's with great pleasure, I'd like to let you know that for the first time, a large scale Parajanov festival will be staged in London (+ Bristol) over February-May 2010.

Paradjanov won countless awards, including the British Academy Award for his film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. He is highly acclaimed worldwide, yet his work remains virtually unknown in the UK. The Paradjanov Festival will be an important event in the cultural scenes of London and Bristol, being the first complete showcase of Paradjanov’s films and art. The film programme will be enriched with a photographic exhibition; a contemporary art installation; a symposium; a workshop for kids and adults; a concert; meetings and talks. The events will take place at the British Film Institute (BFI Southbank), the National Theatre (NT), Ciné Lumière, Pushkin House, St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Arnolfini (Bristol), The Bristol Gallery and will be introduced by distinguished guests that have had first-hand experience of working with Paradjanov.

The Paradjanov Festival is curated in conjunction with the BFI Southbank.

For more information, visit Parajanov (or as they put it, Paradjanov) festival website.


British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

There will be a retrospective of Parajanov’s films at BFI Southbank (1-17 March 2010).

BFI Southbank will host a season of Sergei Paradjanov’s films that will include his acclaimed features, short films and a number of documentaries about his life and work by renowned filmmakers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Some of the screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions with friends, collaborators and experts.

Contemporary artist Mat Collishaw exhibition: “To coincide with our wider celebrations of the work of Paradjanov at BFI Southbank taking place this month, Collishaw has created a mesmerising new exhibition for the Gallery inspired by the work of the Armenian director.” (26 Feb - 9 May 2010)

Also, a symposium on Parajanov’s legacy (6 March 2010) and workshop of “creating artwork à la Paradjanov” (13 March 2010) will be organised.

National Theatre

Sergei Paradjanov through the lens of Yuri Mechitov
22 February – 28 March

To Yuri Mechitov, Paradjanov was not only one of the world’s greatest filmmakers but also a close friend, an inspiring teacher and, quite simply, an extraordinary man. This exhibition is composed of rarely seen photographs taken by Mechitov during their 11-year friendship.

The moments captured by Mechitov’s camera reveal a kaleidoscope of amusing situations, contrasting moods, remarkable filmmaking occasions and expressive backdrops. Yuri Mechitov has exhibited all over the world and has recently published Sergei Paradjanov: Chronicle of the Dialogue. This is the first showing of his work in the UK.

Pushkin House

A presentation of Mechitov’s album will be at Pushkin House on 26 Feb.

Roman Balayan (5 March 2010): "An Armenian filmmaker, who made most of his films at the legendary Dovzhenko Film Studios. Roman Balayan considers himself a student of Sergei Paradjanov. Although different in his aesthetic approach, he undoubtedly shares with Paradjanov a belief in cinema as a form of art, which is amply demonstrated in the films he has created over a period of some four decades."

Guard Me, My Talisman
1986, 74 min
Starring: Oleg Yankovsky, Tatyana Drubich, Aleksandr Abdulov and Aleksandr Zbruev. Set against the backdrop of the Pushkin autumn festival in Boldino, the film tells the story of a love triangle between Aleksei, his wife and Dmitri. As their passions get out of control, Aleksei, inspired by the occasion, decides to put an end to it all in the manner of his favourite poet. The film will be introduced by the director and a Q&A session will follow the screening.

Using the occasion, Cine Lumier in London will showcase few films by Roman Balayan on 9-10 March 2010.

There will be a Parajanov’s film retrospective and photo exhibition in April in Bristol too.

St Yeghishe Armenian church in London

Glad to see Parajanov related events to be supported by the Armenian church in London, as reported by festival’s website.

The concert at St Yeghiche church commemorating the Maestro’s life and work will reveal the distinctive spirit of Caucasian music, enriched by the visual accompaniment of Paradjanov’s photographs and films extracts. The concert is organised with the blessing of HG Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian.

However, Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian is retiring (there will be a farewell concert in his honour on 24 January 2010), and as of today, there is no indication of above event on church’s website.

Btw, today is Parajanov’s birthday. Happy bday, Parajanov!! x

*I made this pictures outside the museum of Parajanov in Yerevan, Armenia

Brussels (photostory)

*René Magritte, well known Belgian surrealist/impressionist/mixed style artist.

*This is a monument (in downtown Brussels) devoted to gay rights activists and gay icons.