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Armenian Weekly On-Line; Volume 73, Number 29; July 21, 2007
Interviews
1. An Interview with Ricardo Nuñéz M.
The Chilean Senator who was instrumental in passing
the Genocide Resolution tells the tale
By Stephane Topalian
Translated from the Spanish by Siran Tamakian
2. An Interview with Congressman Adam Schiff
By Khatchig Mouradian
3. A Pomegranate Among Tomatoes
Providence’s Gallery Z Stands Out in the Art World for Armenian Artists
By Andy Turpin
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1. An Interview with Ricardo Nuñéz M.
The Chilean Senator who was instrumental in passing
the Genocide Resolution tells the tale
By Stephane Topalian
The following interview was conducted by e-mail in Spanish, and appears in
print for the first time. The French version was posted on
Stephane Topalian-The Senate has taken the initiative of voting on a motion
in the Chilean senate on the Armenian genocide. Why have you taken this
initiative and why now?
Ricardo Nuñéz M.-Chile lived under a dictatorship-that of Pinochet. It
suffered like the other countries of southern Latin America, through the
systematic violation of human rights. This was a powerful reason for the
Senate of Chile to have made the ethical decision recognizing the Armenian
genocide. Also, given the increasing importance of the theme of human rights
in the modern world, it was obviously our responsibility as a sovereign
state and a democratically constructed institution to denounce human rights
violations in whichever part of the world where people are or have been
vulnerable to these violations, as was the case with the Armenians.
S.T.-Did this unanimous decision surprise you? How do you explain it?
R.N.M.-I cannot deny that the unanimous vote surprised me, especially
because there are still members of the Chilean Senate who are tied to the
dictatorial regime. However, I should say that the topic of human rights is
especially sensitive in Chile, like in many other parts of the world. Our
country, lead by the Consortium of Democratic Parties, which fought
aggressively against the authoritarian regimen, has condemned in the United
Nations all cases of genocide, ethnic cleansing, or any barbarity committed
against the human race now or in the past. Consequently, we have tried to
bring a sense of ethical and moral superiority to our international
relations and to our vision of the contemporary world.
Furthermore, the Chileans, especially those who were persecuted under
Pinochet’s regime, do not forget the immense solidarity that our fight
received from all sides of the planet.
S.T.-Is Chilean society generally aware of the Armenian genocide?
R.N.M.-Truthfully, the Armenian genocide is still unknown to the majority of
Chileans. Unlike in the Republic of Argentina, there is not a sufficient
population of Armenian immigrants to have instilled public awareness about
Armenia’s case. The fact that this genocide, as the Armenians well know,
occurred in the beginning of the 20th century further explains this
ignorance because at that time Chile did not have a place in the
international community and did not have a concern for problems occurring
outside our borders. However, today the Chileans take on the profound impact
of international conventions and trials that protect and condemn the
violation of human rights.
S.T.-Did the Chilean government pursue this recognition?
R.N.M.-Unfortunately, the actions of governments do not always reflect the
opinions of the people. I should, therefore, be very honest. I consider it
unlikely that the Chilean government will join the resolution of the
Subcommittee of the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of the
Minorities of the United Nations of 1985. However, I believe that the strong
anger that the sovereign decision of the Chilean Senate, a democratically
generated power that is independent of executive power, has aroused in
Turkish authorities should be heard at some point by whoever conducts our
foreign policy.
S.T.-The Turkish government has declared its negative sentiments to its
ambassador to Santiago, Osman Ulukan. Does the Senate believe that this
recognition will have repercussions for relations between Chile and Turkey?
R.N.M.-The resolution, which was sincerely and rightfully adopted by the
Chilean Senate, does not intend to affect our relationship with Turkey. Nor
does it intend to disrupt the economic relationship that we have pursued
with this country. Chile respects the principle of self-determination of
societies. Thus, the negative comments expressed to the ambassador of Turkey
about our country seem excessive. Condemning any human rights violation has
been a focal point that heightens international relations among all
countries, governments and communities that understand that humanity
requires definitively deserting any sign of barbarity that still may subsist
or that is intended to be justified.
Translated by Siran Tamakian
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2. An Interview with Congressman Adam Schiff
By Khatchig Mouradian
On July 16, I flew to Washington to interview Congressmen leading the charge
for Armenian genocide recognition. Below is the first of these interviews,
with Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), conducted on July 17.
Khatchig Mouradian-You’ve been at the forefront of the work for the
recognition of the Armenian genocide in the U.S. We now have a majority in
the House supporting the Genocide Resolution. Where do we go from here?
Adam Schiff-Well, we want to make sure that when we bring up the Genocide
Resolution for a vote both in the House International Relations Committee
and the Floor, we can win. We have almost the majority in the Committee and
we have a bare majority in the House. We’d like to expand that. We’d like to
get some measure of comfort both in the Committee and the House Floor. When
the vote gets scheduled, you’re going to see the efforts of the Turkish
lobby doubled, tripled, quadrupled, and what that will mean is that there
will be a major push to get people to kill the resolution, to find some
rationale for why they were co-sponsors but they don’t have to vote for it.
In the committee, we have to anticipate attempts to amend the resolution in
the way Turkey wants. So we have to make sure that the strength is going to
persist in the wake of the onslaught that we can expect. Right now, we want
to beef up those numbers even more, which also helps us make the case to the
leadership and say, "We’re ready, let’s bring it up."
K.M.-You mentioned the opposition, and we’ve been talking about the Turkish
lobby and former Congressmen making millions of dollars campaigning against
the resolution. What has been different in the way the Turkish lobby has
operated this year?
A.S.-This year, their efforts are far more intense than ever before, and I
think it’s because there’s a new leadership in the House. The old
leadership, [former Speaker] Dennis Hastert, had promised to bring up the
resolution, and then reneged on that promise. I think the Turkish lobby felt
safe under his Speakership. They still lobbied against it. I had amendments
that I could offer to committees and the House Floor that the Speaker couldn’t
stop. So the Turkish lobby was still active and spending millions on
Livingston and others. But now the campaign is far more intense because I
think both sides realize that this is the key year. What gets done this year
is likely to be repeated every year. If we succeed in recognizing the
Armenian genocide this year, we’ll succeed next year and the year after. It
will become matter-of-fact-every year it’s brought up and every year it
passes. If we fail this year, then it’s going to be more difficult to
succeed next year or the year after. Once a precedent is set, it’s very hard
to change it. So I think all sides realize this is crunch time.
K.M.-The decision to move the resolution to a vote rests on House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi. How do you think the Armenian community can contribute to a
positive decision by the Speaker?
A.S.-I’ve had a number of meetings with the Speaker on this-and I don’t
speak for her, she speaks for herself-but she’s always been very supportive
of the Genocide Resolution, and that support continues, so I’m optimistic. I
don’t have a date to give you, and I can’t promise anything 100 percent, but
I’m optimistic. We’re still working to show that the strength is there and
that it will withstand the pressure when this is scheduled for a vote, but I
think our leadership certainly recognizes the fact of the Armenian genocide.
There is strong opposition from Turkey and from all the people that Turkey
has hired. They are raining down on the leadership saying the world is going
to come to an end if we recognize the murder of a million and a half people
in the beginning of the last century. But I think the leadership can
withstand that pressure. What can the community around the country do? You
know, it can contact all the members of our leadership and thank them for
their support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, urge them to take it up
for a vote soon. I think that kind of positive message is the best message
because the leadership has always been supportive. And it’s important for
them to hear from the proponents because they will certainly hear from the
opponents.
K.M.-Why is it important for the United States to recognize a crime that
took place in a different part of the world more than 90 years ago?
A.S.-I think there are two reasons. Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel described
it best when he said that denial is the final phase of genocide. And in that
sense, the Armenian genocide continues. There is a victimization that
continues to go on with the denial, and I think there’s a moral obligation
to set the record straight and not deny the loss, the pain, the grief that
tremendous numbers of people have suffered due to this tragedy.
Secondly, I think [failing to recognize it] undermines our credibility in
America on some of the pivotal issues of the day, like the genocide going on
in Darfur. How do we stand up and call the world’s attention to the genocide
in Darfur and have the kind of moral leadership we need to bring that to an
end? Some will argue, "Well, sure, you’ll recognize the genocide committed
by the Sudanese government. They’re weak. But when it comes to the murder of
the Armenians, because Turkey is strong, you won’t recognize the facts."
What does that say? I don’t think that’s a position of great morality. I don’t
it’s a position of great leadership and I think it undermines our
credibility.
K.M.-Tens of thousands watched the video of your debate with Secretary of
State Condoleeza Rice on the Armenian genocide. Where do you think the
administration really stands? Do you think there is the intention of finding
some sort of resolution to this issue?
A.S.-At this point I’d have to say no. I think that the Administration has
just sort of dug its heels to oppose the genocide recognition. And I thought
Secretary Rice’s answers were deeply disappointing. I asked her a question
about the facts, the historic facts, and she didn’t answer. She doesn’t have
a question-no one can have a question about the historical facts. But the
Administration has made a decision other administrations have made before:
The expedient thing is not to offend an ally. And where they’re coming from
is, we don’t have that many allies left, certainly not in the Muslim world.
And I recognize that. I think it’s important that we maintain an alliance
with Turkey, but that alliance should not be at the cost of not speaking the
truth about one of the most savage crimes of the last century. And I don’t
think it does much for our alliance, or our friendship, to stick our head in
the sand.
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3. A Pomegranate Among Tomatoes
Providence’s Gallery Z Stands Out in the Art World for Armenian Artists
By Andy Turpin
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (A.W.)-Amid the quaint and chic trattorias that line the
riverwalk in Providence’s "Little Italy" Federal Hill quarter, you’ll find a
gallery tucked into Atwells Ave. that at first glance may look like a gem of
an antique store. It is, however, one of the east coast’s premier art
galleries for Armenian artists.
The Weekly sat and talked with Gallery Z’s founder and director Berge A.
Zobian about how Gallery Z came to be and what patrons can look forward to
in the future.
Armenian Weekly-Tell us about Gallery Z.
Berge A. Zobian-Well, we boast that Gallery Z is a fine arts gallery, so
99.9 percent of what you see is original work. Our niche is to show and
represent Armenian artists and art works. At any given time you’ll see that
at least 10-20 percent of the art is from Armenian artists. We have three
generations of Armenian artists on display and I’m very honored to represent
them. They are Vagharshak Elibekian (b. 1910, d. 1994), Robert Elibekian (b.
1941), and Areg Elibekian (b. 1970). In August we’re having a very big solo
show of Areg’s work, our 65th exhibit. People will come in from Chicago and
New York to buy Robert’s work. He’s very collectible. He’s in at least 14
different museums."
A.W.-Is there significance to the name of the gallery-Z?
B.Z.-My last name is Zobian, but it has nothing to do with that. I love the
letter Z. It’s the beginning of the end and the end of the beginning. In the
beginning, we went through kind of a Zorro look with the logo. The funny
thing is that out west there is a furniture business similar to Ikea that’s
called "Z Gallery." Every now and then, we get these nasty e-mails from
people saying ‘your furniture fell apart in our living room.’
A.W.-Who tends to be Gallery Z’s average clientele?
B.Z.-Maybe 50 percent of our clients are from Rhode Island. We have clients
that come in for specific and particular artists we represent. We have an
element of Agresti-ites [aficionados of artist Francesco Agresti],
snowbirds, that come from Naples, Fla., for his work. Of the rest, 5-10
percent are tourists or passersby, and the others follow the track records
of specific artists.
Kevork Mourad is our leading artist. He has 113 collectors. Over 40 of them
own at least two pieces from him. He just did a performance art show for the
Assad government [in Syria].
As an Armenian artist, I’m very impressed. Most of his work deals with the
genocide. It’s all acrylic, he doesn’t like oil. He’s the visual link
between the Rhode Island School of Design and Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.
Another wonderful artist we have is Lara B. (Baldazorian). She works out of
Oakland, Calif.
A.W.-Does the gallery have any specific submission criteria?
B.Z.-We don’t accept submissions that are digital, even from an Armenian
artist. And nothing that could be hand embellished. We also don’t accept any
Gicle. [Gicle is a process in printmaking technology in which images are
generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival
quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art and
photo-base paper. ]
There are a few lithographs that we show, but they’re hand signed.
We advertise ourselves in part by using the computer program Spinnsoft. It’s
been out about six to eight years now and it’s a very good tool. We’ve had
it for about four and a half years. Any piece that comes into the gallery
enters our inventory. We do an inspection, a photograph, and it’s assigned
an identity number and entered into Spinnsoft. Then we send out an
authenticity letter to our clients and dealers.
A.W.-Do you publicize within the local community?
B.Z.-In Providence there’s Gallery Night. [On the third Thursday of every
month from March to November, galleries open their doors from 5-9 PM,
inviting the public to a visual arts party with free parking included.] It’s
an arts organization. This year, we’re celebrating its 11th year.
From March to November there’s also an Art Bus that tours the galleries.
Most of the people come from Massachusetts. They get to pick tours of what
part of Providence they want to go to and explore the local art galleries. I’m
the chairman of that organization’s board. There are 19 full-time galleries
involved.
A.W.-Is the Providence Armenian community involved?
B.Z.-Over here it’s a very old community-a very settled, strong community.
But when it comes to art, it can be very subjective. At church I try and get
people involved. I say to them, ‘Come in jeans. You don’t have to buy. And
bring your children!’ I use art as a medium to promote the culture.
A.W.-Where did you grow up?
B.Z.-I was born in Aleppo, Syria. In 1961, when I was four, I moved to
Lebanon. The real growing up I did was in New York City from when I was 14
to 21. I spent my younger years in West Beirut, in Zarif Watwat. The
Homenetmen was centered there. Back then it was the Zavarian organization.
I went to Queens College in New York. I started an associate’s degree in
electrical arts, and received my Masters of Science from Rhode Island
College in 1984.
Between 1978 and 1983, starting at the age of 21, I moved to Camp Haiastan.
It was wonderful. Manoog Kaprielian was their cook in 1978 and he said,
"They’re looking for a caretaker," so I immediately packed my bags.
While I was at Camp Haiastan, I took courses in sociology. I was an Armenian
Weekly stringer for years. I did a lot of work in Lebanon during the Civil
War. In 1983, I moved to Providence and established a commercial photography
studio. From 1984 to 2000, I curated shows in Rhode Island. In 2000, I
decided I wanted to open my own gallery.
A.W.-What can we look forward to from Gallery Z?
B.Z.-This year we have 13 exhibits. In September there is a show that
features only Armenian artists, living and non-living. A lot of the gallery’s
energy has gone into that. Armen Vahramian will be in the exhibit. He’s
really coming into his own.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
