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Something, I have noticed with Armenian artists, regardless of the medium of expression they use, is that they feel an obligation to comment on the Armenian Genocide through their art.
I don’t know how it was, but recently I came across the paintings of a contemporary Armenian female painter (who seemed to be in her early to middle forties). If I remember correctly, her work was abstract. She had at least one piece in whatever series was being shown in the journalistic source I saw that had the Genocide as a theme. Something about the blood and sorrow and pain, etc. Why? Why can’t you just paint something?
This goes for movies, as well. At this point, I say if we have the resources and drive to make movies (as amateurs or professionals), we should avoid wasting it on the Armenian Genocide. Sounds harsh, I know, but that’s just your sentiment talking. Anyone who does make movies about it risks contributing to the sentiment that the Armenian identity is dependant on the AG. I don't want people to think that nor do I want it to become true.
We are a talented people and we need to show that the AG is not our collective’s only source of passion. Could you imagine if every film-maker of Irish descent made movies about the IRA? It would be ridiculous. And you already know how annoying it is that every other thing a xxx creates is Holocaust-related (and don’t forget, of course, that they were established before that holocaust). It seems to me that any Armenian that gets a hold of any tool that can potentially reach a non-Armenian decides to thrown in the Genocide almost out of habit.
And it’s not entirely the fault of the artists. I think that there lingers a fog in the community which silently urges anyone who has those tools to do what I have been observing. That cannot be. We’re trying to do two things at the same time that don’t work well together: (1) establishing ourselves respectably in the world of non-Armenians, and (2) seeking recognition for our recent history. You can’t do that though. It is unfortunate but people do not listen to those for whom they have not yet developed a respect. You may think it unfair that things cannot move quicker in favor of the Armenians but that is how it is.
Patience is a powerful strategy and it will be effective if we focus on establishing ourselves first. Write stories, make movies, take pictures... but be different and don't preach so much because you could scare people away. Only the choir sticks around for cookies and punch.
I don’t know how it was, but recently I came across the paintings of a contemporary Armenian female painter (who seemed to be in her early to middle forties). If I remember correctly, her work was abstract. She had at least one piece in whatever series was being shown in the journalistic source I saw that had the Genocide as a theme. Something about the blood and sorrow and pain, etc. Why? Why can’t you just paint something?
This goes for movies, as well. At this point, I say if we have the resources and drive to make movies (as amateurs or professionals), we should avoid wasting it on the Armenian Genocide. Sounds harsh, I know, but that’s just your sentiment talking. Anyone who does make movies about it risks contributing to the sentiment that the Armenian identity is dependant on the AG. I don't want people to think that nor do I want it to become true.
We are a talented people and we need to show that the AG is not our collective’s only source of passion. Could you imagine if every film-maker of Irish descent made movies about the IRA? It would be ridiculous. And you already know how annoying it is that every other thing a xxx creates is Holocaust-related (and don’t forget, of course, that they were established before that holocaust). It seems to me that any Armenian that gets a hold of any tool that can potentially reach a non-Armenian decides to thrown in the Genocide almost out of habit.
And it’s not entirely the fault of the artists. I think that there lingers a fog in the community which silently urges anyone who has those tools to do what I have been observing. That cannot be. We’re trying to do two things at the same time that don’t work well together: (1) establishing ourselves respectably in the world of non-Armenians, and (2) seeking recognition for our recent history. You can’t do that though. It is unfortunate but people do not listen to those for whom they have not yet developed a respect. You may think it unfair that things cannot move quicker in favor of the Armenians but that is how it is.
Patience is a powerful strategy and it will be effective if we focus on establishing ourselves first. Write stories, make movies, take pictures... but be different and don't preach so much because you could scare people away. Only the choir sticks around for cookies and punch.
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