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Title: Prints |
Ex libris catalogue showcase
Prints 2007 - Yerevan
(by G.N.)
 Photo: Hayk Grigoryan |
Hayk Grigoryan told us about the exhibition, which the catalogue refers to, the last 7 December.
The exhibition was held from October 20 to November 4 in Yerevan in the National Art Gallery of Armenia. Called "Estamp 2007", it was organized by Grigoryan and his friends. At the exhibition were exposed the works of Armenian and Belarusian artists as well as many other exlibrises from Grigoryan's personal collection of more than 10 countries of Europe.
The catalogue is in Armenian and Russian, with explanatory English pages at the end.
We publish below the introduction, signed by five artists: Arthur Hakobyan, Hayk Grigoryan, Samvel Avetisyan, Tigran Sahakyan, Arman Vahanyan.
 Photo: Yuri Jakovenko |
Like the exhibitions, the catalogue also is divided in two parts: first parte is devoted to "personal" pages of the participating artists; each one has a "mug shot" photo (I reproduce two: one is Gigoryan's, while the other I randomly chose it's of Jakovenko) and around ten - give or take - works. A short profile is published at the end of the catalogue.
The second part is devoted to Hayk Grigoryan's own ex libris collection. The catalogue reproduces 39 (thirty-nine) of them.
The following images are: the front cover of the catalogue; an ex libris by Hayk Grigoryan; an ex libris by Konstantin Kalinovich; a free graphic by Yuri Jakovenko.
Front cover catalogue: "Prints" - 2007
Ex libris by Hayk Grigoryan for Tipoteca Italiana
Special prize, calcography section - C3, 2006, 150x120mm
Ex libris by Konstantin Kalinovich for Werner
and Hannele Grebe
C3+C4, 80x128mm, 1959
Free graphic by Yuri Jakovenko
"Trojan horse", C3+C7, 153x122mm
Introduction
When talking about printed graphics, as a rule, it is pointed out that print is one of the most "democratic" and ''popular'' types of art. Such a belief was mainly created due to the relatively low cost of printed graphics, which is explained by a certain differentiating feature of print, its massiveness, i.e. the possibility of replication. At first sight the statement is fair, but in reality the situation is slightly different.
Surely, almost in every solid picture gallery
one can see several printed graphical sheets.
Nevertheless, the number of specialized galleries
that are engaged in the sale-propaganda of art print is negligibly
small. Among the painters and sculptors the cases of addressing
to engraving are rare; per se print remains the "prerogative"
of print makers. In regard to the non professional sphere, usually
the art lovers have a vague idea about print and
are unlikely to be able to differentiate an etching from a usual
ink drawing.
A number of international graphical shows: various biennales and triennials are called to change the situation, during which besides the obligatory program (the exposition, presentation of a catalogue, awarding of diplomas and prizes) are also organized personal expositions of invited famous masters of print, numerous master classes , forums, briefings and discussions.
Here, unfortunately, one should make a reservation that all the above mentioned occurs far beyond the confines of our Republic. Generally, with rare exceptions, one will not come across printed graphics in the galleries of our capital city. Among the private collections most frequently it is possible to find the works of famous Armenian engraver Edgar Shahin. From the painters of senior generation Vladimir Ayvazyan, Henrik Mamyan, Harutyun Hovhannisyan are mostly presented, sometimes one can come across with the prints of eminent printmaker Asatur Pstikyan. The works of masters of middle generation: Samvel Ambatsumyan, Anatoliy Papanyan, Adely Hayrapetyan are very rare, as since long time ago they live and work abroad.
Regarding the organized expositions of print, it is worth mentioning that they have been held in single instances. Among which the most memorable were the exposition of ex libris collection of Ruben Angaladyan and the exposition of French print at the National Gallery of Armenia.
On the background of the general ignorance there is no need to talk about the interest for the modern print. This is the situation, when not less than ten interesting artists live and work in the capital, some of whom have several times received international prizes, have been invited abroad as a member of jury, had personal exhibitions in different towns of France, Romania, and Poland etc. Essentially this is the reason why the organization of art print exposition of Armenian and Belorussian painters "ESTAMP 2007" is important specially now, as never before. It is held as a continuation of a modern exposition "Infinity", organized at the museum of modern art of Minsk.
The main objective of the exposition is to represent the art print to the Armenian audience, to get them acquainted with different techniques and manners of print. That is why among the main works, the engravings from the private collection of artist s Hayk Grigoryan will also be presented, among which there are graphical sheets of French, Italian, Polish, Czech, Bulgarian, Serb, Russian, Ukrainian etc. artists.
From the catalogue of the exposition besides the reproduction of engravings it is possible to get acquainted with brief information about different methods of engraving and printing.
We hope that the art of print will interest the art lovers and will do our best to make the exposition continuous.
Arthur Hakobyan,
Hayk Grigoryan
Samvel Avetisyan
Tigran Sahakyan
Arman Vahanyan
To learn more:
http://www.artgroup.am
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