In the framework of “Exchange of Painters” project, the Armenian attendees to the project visiting the city of Istanbul, Turkey, returned recently. We talked to the mentor of the Armenian group, Gagik Charchyan, about the impressions received from the working week with the artists working in Turkey.
During the visit, the Armenian young artists led by their mentor had a tour in Istanbul together with the artists living in Turkey, they were acquainted with local cultural life, saw architectural monuments, as well as Gagik Charchyan conducted his master class in DEPO Istanbul gallery, by presenting and demonstrating one of his creative periods in practice – figurative abstract painting. “The program was multifaceted, some things were successful, others could be a little different than we would expect,” says Gagik Charchyan in the conversation with us. He states that the goal of the project was the opening of the “borders” available inside us, which was successful – the young art lovers of the two countries were able to communicate with each other, presented their understanding of the art, without complexes and became friends with each other.
Speaking about the open side of the project, he mentioned, “The problem was that the organizers were not artists. If the organizers were artists, the accent would be a little more on the issues of arts. More emphasis was put on the paintings.” Mr. Charchyan believes that the project had few discussions and communications, which would help to better understand the problems in arts. “Should we have more time, we would discuss and would build our relationships from that prospective rather than giving some products: painting, etc., we would visualize the situation in our countries better, and the dialogues would be better,” says he, and thinks that, however, there was an exchange of opinions and information. For instance, two young artists from Turkey participating in the project learned that the relation between two countries is strained. “We know that here and in our country, the knowledge is formed at school, which is done with a certain policy, especially in our countries. Knowledge is formed in young people through these channels. For example, in our school (meaning “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” complex, where he is the head of the high school studio), where the primary importance is given to individuality and freedom of thought, it happens that this problem, cliché thinking, all of a sudden crawls in with even a well-educated and open-minded student. When you begin asking questions, you feel that it is not his thinking anymore, these are not his questions, and are conclusions emerged from own studies. I do not know where it comes from, the stereotypes are formed at some time, and we cope with it until now. Some people still continue developing them, who perhaps believe in them or not, but they have some interests,” he says. Speaking about the development of modern art in both countries, Mr. Charchyan noticed that this industry in Turkey, having its problems, continues to evolve, whereas in Armenia, this industry having trends to develop once in Armenia has stopped functioning, due to a lack of investment. “The artist must always be in contact and shall always be open to the most topical issues,” he says, and notes that this project helped young people of the two countries to further enhance their understanding.
Returning to the theme of the Armenian Genocide becoming a reason for strained relations between the two countries, Mr. Charchyan noted that this issue can be resolved only during mutual contacts. “The best way to get rid of tension is to get rid of myths. The notions about the “other”, when formed by the image of an enemy, creates phobias among the public. We need to get rid of these phobias, to communicate and discusses themes, – he says and continues, – first Turkey should accept the genocide. Recognition of genocide is purely for avoiding this kind of regimes that would exercise genocide. Recognition is necessary only for it. I do not think that after recognition of Genocide by Turkey, the suffering of the latest generation will end up that now carry on the results of this tragedy. I think that Turkey will shake off this burden only if we have normal relationships. Otherwise, propaganda would only lead to hostility to both sides, and the issue will remain unresolved. I think that some people need this issue not to be resolved in order to be able to solve other matters based on this hostility,” he says.
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