Paravon Mirzoyan: National Gallery of Armenia strives to be in accordance with international standards
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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: About 55 thousand people visit the National Gallery of Armenia annually, the majority of who are foreigners. About the achievements of the gallery registered in 2010 and its programs for future Armenpress interviewed Director of the National Gallery Paravon Mirzoyan.
-Mr. Mirzoyan, how efficient was the year of 2010 for the National Gallery of Armenia? What achievements have you registered?
-2010 was a fine year for the National Gallery, as the exhibitions organized during the year presented the gallery in the global context in a new way. The exhibition opened at Pushkin Museum was of great significance: works of over 100 Armenian and Russian artists were exhibited. The exhibition in Holland was important, too: here dozen of works of Armenian artists from the gallery’s collection were presented. Suchlike exhibitions make our gallery corresponding to international standards, which is of great importance. The exhibition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Vardges Surenyants is singled out among the exhibitions opened in the gallery. About 200 works were exhibited.
-What kind of events have you planned for 2011?
-The 90th anniversary of the National Gallery completes this year, and the biggest event will be dedicated to this very holiday. Besides that, the year will be rich in numerous events. For example, an exhibition will open in the National Gallery, dedicated to Hovhannes Ter-Tadevosyan, Karo to Mkrtchyan’s 60th anniversary, a photo exhibition dedicated to composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Сiurlionis will open. Yervand Kochar’s “Exhibition of One Work” will be singled out; here works brought from France will be exhibited. The works of Khoren Ter-Harutyan and Georgi Yakulovi will be exhibited in April. The month of May will be marked for “Surrealists and Salvador Dali”, which will be the first suchlike exhibition in Armenia. In November an exhibition dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Hmayak Hakobyan will open, and in December one dedicated to 130th anniversary of Hovhannes Alkhazyan will be held. The other events are in specification round, but the program rich in suchlike events will be continued by the end of the year.
-What are the issues of the National Gallery of Armenia, and what steps are taken in the direction of their elimination?
-Similar large museums always face problems, and it is natural. Today the biggest issue of the National Gallery of Armenia is the territory. Because of its small size we do not have an opportunity to exhibit our collections; it concerns temporary exhibitions as well.
-How many branches does the National Gallery have and what issues do they face?
-The National Gallery of Armenia has 12 branches in Armenia, which face quite big issues. But in 2010 we managed to reopen the branches in Vayots Dzor and Kotayk. Now we have submitted numerous applications, in order the incomplete works are brought to an end, and the arisen issues find solution.
-What would you say in regard to restoration works of paintings?
-We have joyous news for art loving society. We have got an initial agreement with art-loving society, according to which we will get new equipments for restoration of paintings. The equipments will help to study the works in future and to make assessments. The new device will give an opportunity to fully implement restoration if 10 paintings.
-Mr. Mirzoyan, what are you painting now, and what surprises have you prepared for art loving society?
-I have already finished my canvas entitled “Syunik”. And in the running year I have received proposals on coming forth with individual exhibitions. Together with artist Robert Elibekyan I intend to implement a project in the running year, within the framework of which we will call Armenian contemporary artists to donate their paintings to the National Gallery. Thanks to it the funds of the gallery will be replenished.