PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
NAASR LECTURE ON OTTOMAN ARMENIAN
PHOTOGRAPHS IN GETTY MUSEUM
Van Aroian of Worcester, MA, will give an illustrated lecture on
“Armenian Photographs in the Getty Museum,” at the Center and
Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian Studies and
Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA, on Thursday evening,
October 13, at 8:00 p.m.
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, houses the Getty Research
Library, which contains an impressive collection of Ottoman photographs.
This collection is an invaluable resource for Ottoman scholars,
ethnographers, historians of Ottoman photography, and students of
Armenian Ottoman life. Furthermore, this collection provides a valuable
resource for an investigator interested in developing the significant
contribution of Armenian photographers to the early development of
photography throughout the Ottoman Empire.
Sampling of an Important Collection
The program will provide a visual presentation and sampling of the
Ottoman photo collection at the Getty Research Institute, with a focus
on its Armenian flavor and contributions. On a fundamental level this
collection provides investigators with a rare opportunity actually to
see aspects of Ottoman life and culture – a presentation of a world in
transition captured for succeeding generations. These photos will
provide us the opportunity to walk down memory lane and share together
some social and historic commentary.
Van Aroian spent some six weeks in 1999-2001 looking through the Getty’s
Ottoman photograph collection. He first presented the results of his
investigations into the Getty’s collection in an article in NAASR’s
Journal of Armenian Studies (vol. 7, no.1, Fall-Winter 2002-2003)
entitled “Ottoman Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Research Institute:
Armenian Themes and Contributions.” There he offered an overview of the
collection and provided detailed analyses of several photographs of
direct or indirect relevance to the Armenians.
Aroian earned a BA at Boston University and MA in Middle Eastern Studies
at Harvard University. He was a fellow in Urban Geography at Clark
University and an Urban Planner and Deputy Director of the Worcester
Redevelopment Authority. He later joined his brother in-law, Kevork,
and wife Mary Balekdjian Aroian in importing and retailing Oriental
carpets. He is currently a member of the NAASR Board of Directors.
More information on Aroian’s lecture or seminar or about
NAASR and its programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies,
research, and publication may be had by calling 617-489-1610, by fax at
617-484-1759, by e-mail at [email protected], or by writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.