AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE HENRY CUNY CLOSES EXHIBITION OF PAINTER ASILVA (PARIS)

ArmenPress
Sept 13 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Dozens of art lovers and reporters
flocked in the Painter’s House of Armenia on Sept 10 to participate
in the closing ceremony of the exhibition of a French Armenian painter
Asilva which ran since September 1.

The ceremonial closing was spearheaded by France’s Ambassador Henry
Cuny. Greeting the reporters, the ambassador said, “I am always
delighted to receive French artists here be them of Armenian descent
or other. I myself am a man of pen and therefore am trying to look
for and understand the roots of artists in their works.”

The ambassador started with comments on Asilva’s Ararat painting.
He said that embodied in the frame of Khor Virap Church, the painting
is recognizable in its abstract lines and has a deep wound which
lays down the underground layout of the painting. A wound, which
symbolizes the colors of Armenia. Let “Ararat” be a strong symbol
today and tomorrow for all those who reside under it.

According to the ambassador, history and geography merge in Asilva’s
painting. There are reflections of Armenia being a land-locked country
and there is a dream to step out of its boundaries. Aren’t the titles
of the painting elements of political speech?

“Despite of all difficulties, Armenia could revive from the times of
“darkness” when it existed only as a nation,” Mr. ambassador said.

Painter Asilva thanked Henry Cuny. The chairman of Armenian Painter’s
House, Karen Adamian, also said a word about the painter’s exhibition.