The Cafesjian Center for the Arts Reviews its Operations Results for 2010

February 16, 2011 The Cafesjian Center for the Arts (CCA) reviewed its operations results and achievements for January-December 2010.

“The year 2010 has been important for us. It was the first full year of our operation as an arts center.  A year when CCA established itself as a credible arts institution enriching the cultural experience for  all  Armenia. We placed a particular emphasis on our programs, strengthening the ties between the public and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts by facilitating an active interaction between people and the arts ”, said the Acting Executive Director of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts Vahagn Marabyan.

At the end of 2010 the overall attendance at CCA, including the exhibition galleries, the Special Events Auditorium and Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, from January through December, totaled over 950,000.

In the course of the year, two major exhibitions opened at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts: “Libenský Brychtová: Silhouettes of the Тown” and “Ivana Šrámkova: Geometric Forms and Images”. “Both these  exhibitions  featured studio glass from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection, revealing to the Armenian public  the beauty and power of glass as a medium of artistic expression”, stated Mr. Marabyan.

 In addition to the major exhibitions, in 2010 the Cafesjian Center for the Arts installed 17 new individual artworks, including the most recent addition to the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, “Impala Leap” by British artist Saraj Guha, and in the Escalator Gallery the futuristic “Cafesjian Transporter” inspired by an idea suggested by Mr. Cafesjian and created by the CCA exhibition staff, an artwork that incorporates Mr. Cafesjian’s own 1992 Subaru SVX sports car.  New presentations include a stainless steel sculpture titled “Spread Eagle” by American sculptor Jack Youngerman and works by other artists.

During the past year the Cafesjian Center for the Arts successfully developed and launched numerous programs. The Acting Executive Director noted the “Creativity and Imagination” children’s program, based on Ivana Šrámkova’s “Geometric Forms and Images” exhibition as a particularly successful initiative. Over 2,000 children took part in this program in just two months of its existence – November-December 2010. According to Mr. Marabyan, the program is interactive and allows children to go beyond the role of passive spectators in museums, to participate in the creative process and enjoy art in a very personal way . “The program will continue into 2011.  Many other programs are currently being developed for children to experience the joy and excitement of discovery in the arts”. The “Creativity and Imagination” program is currently presented on Tuesdays and Saturdays and is open to schools and families.

Another important program of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, launched in the second half of 2010, is the Cafesjian Classical Music Series which features a concert every Wednesday at the Special Events Auditorium. The series is directed by famous Armenian cellist Aram Talalyan. The Cafesjian Classical Music Series has featured not only such renowned names as Svetlana Navasardyan, Khachaturyan Trio and Armen Babakhanyan, but also has become a venue for young talent and premieres of modern composers. Overall, according to Mr. Marabyan, more than 1200 people attended the Cafesjian Classical Music Series. “In 2011 the Cafesjian Classical Music Series will continue to promote classical music, Armenian musicians and composers. We are proud of becoming an established venue for classical music performance offering a new tradition for concert-goers in Yerevan”.

 “We have a vigorous programming schedule, including concerts where invariably quality music is performed. Our events in the “Encounters with Arts” series allow people to discover art, to appreciate its many and varied aspects, whether represented by architects, painters or writers.  CCA will continue to follow its mission to ensure the very best cultural interface between Armenia and the world”, said Vahagn Marabyan.

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts (CCA) is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. Inspired by the vision of its founder, Mr. Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, derived from Mr. Cafesjian’s own extensive collection of contemporary art. Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA continues to exhibit unique works of modern art and offers a diverse program of visiting lecturers, films, concerts, and numerous educational initiatives for adults and children