Armenian Art Experience Switzerland 2019 on Behance

Armenian Art Experience Switzerland | First Edition 2019

Date: 13 - 15 December in Aarau, Switzerland

Location: Kultur und Kongresshaus Aarau

Vision

1st Armenian Art Experience Switzerland has a sensitive but powerful vision.

Like an Armenian rug, the Project aims to connect different artists & art forms, generations, cultural and political backgrounds and purposely create space for new and positive encounters.

One of the main goals of the project is to build bridges between Diaspora and Hayastan Armenians and create more awareness for each other regarding cultural differences.

1st Armenian Art Experience also wants to open doors to welcome people from all backgrounds to get an understanding of Armenian related topics and Armenian culture & history.

The Event will host dance performances, concerts, an art exhibition, fashion & design, topic related lectures and presentations, film and interactive activities displaying the richness of “ARMENIAN IDENTITY TODAY”.

Armenian Art Experience Switzerland is an interdisciplinary Art platform. Like an Armenian rug, this logo aims to connect different artists and art forms, generations, cultural and political backgrounds and purposely create space for new and positive encounters. The logo welcomes people from all backgrounds to get an understanding of Armenian related topics and Armenian culture and history.

This event will host dance performances, concerts, an art exhibitions, fashion and design, topic related lectures and presentations, film and interactive activities, displaying the richness of “ Armenian Identity Today”

Facts

The Armenian Genocide 1914 has not only caused immense trauma by killing, ripping families apart, dislocation, people losing home and belongings, it also created division geographically between eastern and western Armenians. The reality of adapting to new cultures, two main spoken languages, eastern and western Armenian plus the fact that many have been forbidden to speak their language or were not taught, are facts of the present reality that often create unintentional or intentional division also within the Armenian community.

The Armenian Genocide has still not been recognized by the Turkish government and although much has been achieved on a political level the act of true reconciliation is far from where it could and should be.

Sadly, persecution of artists, human right activists or general people speaking the truth about historical facts is still reality and often a hidden act of humiliation.

The 1st Armenian Art Experience will be a voice for this colorful, complex and soulful nation that has been under construction for many years.

Concept

Our wish and aim since the beginning of the project was to create a space for genuine exchange between different Armenian artists originating from different cultural and political backgrounds.

The Project is creating a platform for different artistic contributions regarding the topic of "Armenian identity today".

The Concept itself launched a process of building artistic and personal bridges that will hopefully transform into long term friendships and exciting artistic inspiration which has already started.

The process of selecting artists developed through artistic exchange and friendships, new encounters and specific topic related networking and research.

Our vision is to impact the Armenian community in a new and positive way, the selection of artists was very essential to me.

I tried to find outstanding personalities in the sense of artistic excellence and their authentic engagement as people and artists in their communities and countries.

I know, many old Armenians suffer from the fear that Armenian culture will eventually die and get lost before the recognition of the Armenian genocide. So one of my wishes is also to honor the older generation by taking action and transforming culture facing nowadays realities.