Established in Yerevan in 2005, High Art Center has become the leading independent cultural platform for the advancement of Armenian classical and modern arts. “Hayern Aysor”’s cultural commentator sat down for an interview with the Center’s founding director Armine Kocharyan and asked her to introduce the Center to our readers, as well as art lovers.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Kocharyan, the High Art Center already has its place in Yerevan and on the cultural map of Europe. What are the Center’s goals and objectives? Why did you decide to create a new center in Yerevan where there are many galleries and exhibition halls?

Armine Kocharyan: Armenian fine arts have been around for millennia. Its close ties with world culture and the unprecedented stratum of traditions in painting, miniature painting, sculpting, architecture and decorative arts allow modern Armenian creators to become inspired, create and become internationally recognized in different corners across the globe. At the same time, taking into consideration the fact that nearly 9,000,000 Armenians have shaped the Armenian Diaspora and live in more than 60 countries around the world, our Center’s key objective is to show Armenian arts on one interactive platform, study its close relationship with other cultures, lay the foundation for multi-cultural programs and show active participation in the formation of world arts. Our goal is to draw people’s attention to the versatile Armenian arts and reveal the arts of other countries for the people in Armenia. That’s why for the past three years, High Art Center has been presenting the works by well-known and prospective artists at international festivals and exhibitions.

“Hayern Aysor”: What is your Center’s direction? What are the concepts?

A.K.: Currently, the Center carries out its activities in three directions. The “Shedevr” Gallery preserves and expands the collection of works by classic and modern, talented painters and is considered the only private gallery of its kind in Armenia. AA Auction House sells more and more works of art and sets the objective to create an international arena for online sales at www.aaauction.am. The website www.Hi-artonline.com is a multi-functional resource. It includes a democratic art-store on the Internet, is an organizer of actions and events and contributes to the development of modern Armenian applied arts and fine arts. The founders, leaders and the expert committee make great efforts to create and expand a unique collection presenting high arts, preserving the best traditions of high art and not forgetting that the unique works presented in the collection must be affordable. It’s very important for us to have creators, representatives of galleries and organizations participate in the auctions, actions and online sales quickly and transparently.

“Hayern Aysor”: It would be great if the Center participated in the ArtMonaco Festival, which many people highly appreciate. According the presses, the Center is already closely collaborating with the organizers of that festival.

A.K.: In 2012, the first work belonging to the “spatial painting” (1927) by world renowned Armenian sculptor, painter Yervand Kochar was recognized as one of the best works at the ArtMonaco Festival and the symbol of ArtMonaco in 2012. This year, the Center had the honor of participating again and received an award for the “Ritual” sculpture by Vladimir Petrosyan (Ohan).

“Hayern Aysor”: Your Center has established close collaboration with Armenian art critics and painters abroad. The presses often reflect on the programs carried out with Diaspora Armenian art critics.

A.K.: Yes, you’re absolutely right. I wouldn’t like to offend anyone, but art critics in Armenia are not very interested, and professionals are not very concerned about the tremendous heritage that has been created in the Diaspora, especially in France, which remains the largest center for modern arts. There are pages that have not been revealed, painters who, having made tremendous contributions to modern arts, remain unknown to most of us. We consistently study and popularize their works. We receive great support from Beirut-based art critic Movses Hergelian, who is included in ArtMonaco’s list. I must say that there are also other Armenians in that list, especially from Russia. Armenians in Armenia are less interested in painters who have painted outside of Armenia and have formed a part of world arts. I would like to set aside painter Tutunjyan, whom nobody knew in Armenia. He is a unique, interesting and original painter who can surely be classified among the Modernists. We were the first to showcase his works. As I sad, our goal is not just to exhibit works, but organize auctions as well. Unfortunately, there was almost nobody who would assess Hergelia’s works, but our compatriots in Russia showed great interest and made purchases.

“Hayern Aysor”: I have been told that remarkable painter Jansem’s son, Jean is in Armenia at your invitation. You are one of the unique supporters who does everything possible to popularize Jansem’s works.

A.K. I regret to say that Armenia’s wrong pricing policy for Jansem’s works is having an impact on the international pricing system. Armenia doesn’t appreciate the artistic value of Jansem’s works. High Art Center stores Jansem’s graphic works that start from 15,000 Euros, and the paintings are rated at 300,000 Euros. Jansem is Armenian, and if some people have adopted a falling pricing policy for his works in the homeland, it’s bad because the French painter tries to present him as a French painter through a very high pricing policy. It’s not just about Jansem. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that the works by Saryan, Ayvazovsky, Jansem, Garzou and others are appreciated the right way.

“Hayern Aysor”: Your work is very appreciable. Allow me to express gratitude to you and wish you success. “Hayern Aysor” will be pleased to work with the Center and will present its activities from time to time.

A.K.: Thank you.

Interview by Levon Mutafyan