Haigazian University Hosts 60th Anniversary Exhibit
Friday, March 20th, 2015
Patrons at Haigazian University’s presentation of ‘East to West,
Modern to Postmodern,’ an exhibition by Yerevan’s ‘Bardzr Arvest’ Fine
Art Center
BEIRUT, Lebanon–On the occasion of its 60th Anniversary, under the
high patronage of the Armenian Embassy in Lebanon, and in
collaboration with the Makhzoumi Foundation, Haigazian University
proudly presented the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center from Yerevan,
Armenia, in an exhibition entitled “East to West, Modern to
Postmodern,” on Thursday, March 19, at the Haigazian University Art
Center, the Matossian Gallery.
The capacity audience included the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon
Ashot Kocharian, founder of the Makhzoumi Foundation Fouad Makhzoumi,
representative of the Commander of the Army Gen. Jean Kahwaji, the
President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the
Near East Rev. Mgrdich Karageuzian, Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian,
government officials, religious leaders, political party
representatives, Lebanese and Armenian community leaders, media, and a
big crowd of art lovers.
The event started with a warm welcome by University President, Rev.
Dr. Paul Haidostian, who thanked the contributors of this event:
Bardzr Arvest Fine Art Center of Yerevan for graciously showcasing
their rich collection, the Armenian Embassy for its patronage, and
Haigazian’s cooperation with the Makhzoumi Foundation and the personal
presence of Fouad Makhzoumi. Striking on the note of quality at
Haigazian’s 60th Anniversary, Haidostian said, “With Lebanon known for
its high appreciation for beauty, and with Armenia generously endowed
with cultural creativity, no wonder that as HU hosts the best of
Armenian art and presents it to the Lebanese community.” Instilling a
sense of hope, Haidostian continued by saying, “The more we focus on
the ugliness that surrounds us, the more we give in and despair; and
the more we pay attention to genuine beauty, the higher our spirits
go.”
In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Kocharian, stressed on the
rich historic and cultural heritage of the Armenian nation, sharing
his pride of the “Armenian vibrant community of Lebanon who survived
genocide, and very soon created a lively and dynamic community with
its diverse infrastructures, and preserved its Armenian language.”
After praising the invaluable efforts of the leadership of the
University in making this event a real success, Kocharian acknowledged
the vital role of Haigazian University in promoting dialogue, harmony,
professionalism, interconnectedness of people, as well as a refined
taste.
Fouad Makhzoumi, started his speech by congratulating Haigazian
University for its 60th Anniversary, and considered its student body
the 21st century generation of Lebanon. Putting a high hope on this
new generation, Makhzoumi stressed on the pivotal role the civil
society, educational institutions, and business leaders should play in
widening the scope of opportunities of the youth, through investments
and global economic experiences. He then emphasized on the efforts the
Makhzoumi Foundation invests in the educational field, which
eventually yields to openness, confidence, respect, dialogue and
coexistence among Lebanese.
The Director of the Modern Art Museum of Armenia, who was there to
represent the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center, briefed on the most
valuable pieces of the exhibition. She also pointed out that that the
Center was nominated as the Best Gallery of Art Monaco 2014.
This year, Haigazian University celebrates the 60 years of its
foundation, adopting the slogan of “Pride in Merit”. Within the series
of anticipated events for this year, Haigazian University, through
this high caliber exhibition, highlights the Armenian art and culture
that has always been a vital aspect of this university’s existence.
The University collaborated with the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center
from Yerevan, Armenia, to showcase one of the largest group
exhibitions of Armenian artists ever to be shown in Lebanon. The
exhibition embraces a variety of artists, styles, and time periods.
On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary for the Armenian genocide,
the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center is touring the world to show some
of the best artwork that Armenia has to offer. The tour is starting in
Lebanon, due to the importance of the Armenian Diaspora in Beirut and
the unique occasion of Haigazian’s 60th Anniversary. The exhibition
includes 64 artworks of Armenian and Diaspora Armenian artists,
covering a period of 3 centuries, from the 19th till the 21st century.
Some of the highlights of this exhibition are the “Yellow Mask”
painting by the French-Armenian artist Leon Tutundjian, which is a
masterpiece of the early surrealist period. In addition to it, a
“Still Life” by Jean Jansem and “Versailles Park” by Jean Carzou are
going to be shown for the first time. One more pride is the “First
Sin”, a painting in space” by Ervand Kochar, which has won the 1st
prize in the 2012 Art Monaco Fair. The exhibition will also feature
works of world renowned Armenian artists such as Arshile Gorky, Sarkis
Diranian, Vardges Sureniants, Vahram Gayfejian, Arsen Shabanian, Edgar
Chahine, Robert Elibekian, and many more.
“East to West, Modern to Postmodern” is in course until Wednesday,
March 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., excluding Sundays.