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AGBU’s Tribute to Emil Kazaz: A legend is honored in Pasadena.
Coming to Pasadena in early November is an outstanding three-day tribute to the life and art of Emil Kazaz – world renowned sculptor and painter.
AGBU’s Tribute to Emil Kazaz: A legend is honored in Pasadena.Coming to Pasadena in early November is an outstanding three-day tribute to the life and art of Emil Kazaz – world renowned sculptor and painter. Kazaz, who is known for his juxtaposition of mythical creatures and figures of the classics with modern dilemmas giving the viewer an awe-inspiring yet playful view of the world, will be honored by the AGBU for his lifetime achievements.
Starting Friday, November 6th through Sunday, November 8th, Emil Kazaz’s latest works will be exhibited at the AGBU center in Pasadena, California. This will be an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, view and discuss his works, and purchase the paintings, sculptures, and mixed media of this artistic master.
The climax of the weekend will be a tribute event that will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 7:30pm, also at the AGBU center in Pasadena. The public is invited to attend this free event and join world renowned art connoisseurs, critics, collectors and fellow artists for an evening of stimulation, presentation, and musical entertainment.
Especially invited distinguished speakers for the November 7th tribute will include internationally esteemed art historian and author Shahen Khachtryan, who is currently the cultural advisor to Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the director of the Arshile Gorky Gallery in Armenia. A graduate of the Leningrad Academy of the Arts, he has managed the National Art Gallery in Yerevan, and has served as the director of the regarded Sarian Museum. His vast knowledge of 19th and 20th century art will be a great asset in the night’s inquest into the mind of Emil Kazaz. Most recently, Shahen Khachatryan published two prestigious art books on Hovannes Aivazowsky and Mardiros Sarian.
Joe Lewis, a nationally known artist, author, and educator who is currently serving as Dean of Alfred University's School of Art & Design, in Alfred, New York will also speak at the event. Through his career, he has come across the masterful work of Emil Kazaz. His close association with Kazaz led Mr. Lewis to author many articles and essays on his art and the philosophy behind his creations. He will help shed light into that we know as Kazazism. Mr. Lewis, a graduate of Hamilton College, where he received a Master of Fine Arts, from the Maryland College Institute of Art, as a Ford Foundation fellow, has likened the characters and situations in Kazaz’s art to the “adventurers of Homer, moving through unreal worlds of appearances where nothing is what it seems,” will move the audience through Kazaz’s world, instilling a better understanding of the artist’s genius.
This evening of intellectually stimulating discourse will be accompanied by the majestic music of Vatche Mankerian, internationally renowned pianist, composer, conductor, author, lecturer, and a dedicated advocate of Armenian music. Mankerian holds a master’s degree from the USC Thornton School of Music where he studied with Stewart Gordon, Eduardo Delgado and Nancy Bricard. He has performed as a soloist in the world’s most revered venues spanning four continents, including the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in Yerevan. Vatche, who has won several international competitions, has been praised by the media. As stated by the Los Angeles
Times, “Mankerian performed with quiet poetry… there was nothing assembly-line about the reading.” The Cleveland Plain Dealers described him as “a bold and vibrant performer.” Currently he is working towards his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. His performance will enchantingly accentuate Kazaz’s art. Adding to the musical interlude will be world class operatic tenor Bakur Kalantaryan who started his musical career at the age of eleven by enrolling in one of the most prestigious schools in Armenia where he studied under the renowned music professor Nona Melkumova. During his four years at the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan he received numerous awards as an outstanding student and delivered over a hundred performances. More recently, Kalantaryan was awarded the gold medal and named Grand Champion Vocalist of the Year during the World Championship of Performing Arts, held in Los Angeles, California. He is a proud scholar of international tenor Vahan Mirakian. Much adored by Kazaz himself, Kalantaryan’s empowering voice will be a perfect complement.
His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Church of Armenia will grace the event by his presence, duly representing His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Mr. Sinan Sinanian representing the AGBU Central Board of Directors and Berj Shahbazian, chairman of the AGBU Southern California District Committee will also assist.
The three-day celebration, comprised of the tribute event and exhibition, is in line with the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU’s) mission to promote Armenian heritage, culture and arts, and is due to the valiant efforts of the AGBU Southern California District Committee and the AGBU Kazaz Tribute Committee chaired by Haig Messerlian, Ani Aivazian (vice-chairperson), Ara Arzumanian, Ara Babayan, Sonia Babayan, Ani Babian, Nairie Balian, Houry Boghossian, Eada Bourian, Ani Boyadjian, Ben Charchian, Vahe Imasdounian, Maral Ghazarian, Garine Haytayan, Ivan Kesian, Aleen Khanjian, Vartouhy Kojayan, Yeva Manucharyan, Avedis Markarian, Maral Moukhtarian, Nazareth Moukhtarian, Silva Nazaretian, Siran Oknayan, Krikor Satamian, Shaghig Sepetjian, Garine Seuylemezian, Cynthia Simonian, Tamar Sinanian, Maida Tchaprazian, Shake Toumayan, Aline Yeterian, and Monet Airian. Accordingly, they have placed all of their energies to make this the key AGBU cultural event for the entire year.
Joining in this spirit, Monet Airian, of the Arian Dome of Fine Art, the worldwide representative of Emil Kazaz, has agreed for the first time, to offer all artworks at reduced prices, giving Kazaz’s followers a greater ability to acquire his art and at the same time supporting the AGBU in its noble endeavors.
For more information, please call AGBU at: (626) 794-7942. The AGBU Center is located at 2495 E. Mountain St, Pasadena, California 91104. Event dates are as follows:
Art Exhibition:
Friday and Saturday, Nov 6th-7th, 7:30 - 10:30 pm
Sunday, Nov 8th, 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Tribute Event:
Saturday, Nov 7th, 7:30 pm
http://www.ArmenianCalendar.com/?showevent=32...
