Exhibition The Landscape of My Country Opens at CCA

May 23, 2016 The exhibition The Landscape of My Country opened at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts on May 21.

Each year the International Council of Museums proposes a theme for the International Museum Day event, encouraging the promotion of museum issues within society. Prior to International Musuem Day 2016, the theme of which for this year is Museums and Cultural Landscapes, the Cafesjian Center for the Arts launched an educational program in February, entitled The Landscape of My Country, designed for Syrian-Armenian children who immigrated to Armenia as a result of the Syrian civil war.

The Armenian landscape has long been a source of inspiration for many Armenian painters; creatively developing a visual narrative about Armenia; the land and the nation, past, present and future. The Armenian landscape evolved into a cultural symbol of a collective identity in works by such famous Armenian painters as Gevorg Bashinjaghyan, Eghishe Tadevosyan, Martiros Saryan, Minas Avetisyan, Haroutiun Galentz, Hagop Hagopian and Arshile Gorky. The Center’s program, The Landscape of My Country, focused on presenting the cultural landscape of Armenia supporting the integration of participating children in the cultural and social life of the country. 

Twenty-four youngsters participated in the program, composed of nine encounters, during which they were introduced to the work and life of featured artists. Inspired by the mindset and style of the artists, the participants created their own works. Visits to the National Gallery of Armenia, the Museum of Modern Art and the Galentz Museum were part of the program, which concluded with a special session outdoors, painting in Yerevan’s beautiful environment.

This exhibition features a selection of works reflecting the creativity and inspiration of the children who participated in the program.

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts collaborated with the YMCU-Syrian Armenians NGO in the presentation of this program.