Private Opening of "Nina Khemchyan: Echo" Exhibition at CCA

"Nina Khemchyan. Response" display
"Eagle" salon
Cafesjian Art Center
September 23, 2022 – November 06, 2022

On September 22, 2022, "Nina Khemchyan. The closed opening of the "Response" exhibition.

Cafesjian Art Center, in cooperation with the French Embassy in Armenia, presents "Nina Khemchian. Reaction" show. For the center, this project is not only extremely important, but also symbolic. Isn't this where Grigor Khanjyan's famous mural "Armenian Alphabet" is displayed?

Below you can read an excerpt from an essay by French art critic Alina Ghosh-Trafimova about this project:

Author of Armenian writings, philosopher, theologian, reverend of the Armenian Apostolic Church and poet, Mashtots played a fundamental role in the history and culture of his country. A spiritual leader, the founder of Armenian spiritual singing, a real enlightener, he ranks among the saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The priceless legacy left by Mashtots served as a source of inspiration for Nina Khemchyan, an Armenian artist living in Paris. Nina has been immersed in Mashtots art for several years now. As a result of a long creative search, the artist has created a unique bridge with the work of a great thinker and wants to perpetuate his legacy in the modern world.

Another artist inspired by Mashtots's genius, the singer Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan and her angelic voice, gave a new breath to his work, who performs hymns written by the great thinker of the fifth century in her unique style. The "Response" project was born from this meeting.

Nina Khemchyan presents her interpretation of the work of Mesrop Mashtots, a sensitive and modern look at a work that has crossed the borders of Armenia and is part of the world's cultural heritage.

The artist shapes the Armenian poem in his own style and with his own uniqueness. Singer Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan's wonderful voice and acapella performance echo the sculptor's work, emphasizing the spiritual side of the work. The harmony of the two artists' performances presents Mashtots' lyric poetry in a new light, making it modern."

The exhibition will be open from September 23 to November 6. Entrance is free.





"Nina Khemchyan: Echo" Exhibition
Eagle Gallery:
Cafesjian Center for the Arts
September 23, 2022 – November 06, 2022

On September 22, 2022, the private preview of the exhibition, Nina Khemchyan. Echo, took place in the Eagle Gallery of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Armenia, presents the exhibition, Nina Khemchyan. Echo: This project is not only essential for the Center but also very symbolic, considering that Grigor Khanjyan's famous mural Armenian Alphabet is displayed here.

Please find below an extract from the essay by art historian Alina Roches-Trofimova on this project.
"Inventor of the Armenian alphabet, philosopher, theologian, and poet Mesrop Mashtots is a fundamental figure in the history and culture of his country. A spiritual leader, founder of Armenian sacred music, and a true enlightener, he is a canonized saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Mashtots' essential heritage has inspired Nina Khemchyan in her oeuvre, an Armenian artist living in Paris. For a long time, the artist has been immersed in his work of Mashtots. It has been several years since Nina, through numerous researches, has woven a spiritual link with the author, aiming to perpetuate his heritage in the modern era.

A unique encounter renewed the artist's vision. the angelic voice of the singer Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan who, also touched by the grace of Mashtots, had been performing his chants - "sharakans", written in the 5th century. This discovery gave birth to the Echo project.

Nina Khemchyan shares with us her vision of Mesrop Mashtots' work, a sensitive and contemporary interpretation of an essential creation that has gone beyond the borders of Armenia to become a part of the world's cultural heritage.

The artist adorns the Armenian poetry with her own style and singularity. Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan's wonderful voice and her acappella performance resonate with the sculptural pieces, delivering the spirituality of the work. The harmony between the interpretations of the two artists venerates the chant of the saint, rendering it in contemporary light."

The exhibition will be open from September 23 to November 6, 2022, with free admission.