Events / Exhibitions

02.05.2014 - 27.05.2014

JEAN KAZANDJIAN

 The selection of works in this exhibition emphasizes the multiple layers of Kazandjian’s work, ranging from the three-dimensional screen paintings to the more formal sequence-paintings and copper etchings. The exhibition brings together more than 50 works featuring city landscapes, Armenian themes such as the variations of Arshile Gorky's portrait, the Migrants series and references to iconic paintings as the Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo's Pieta. Not tied to a single form of expression or a dominant art movement, Jean Kazandjian embraced the freedom of his own visual journey while living in Paris. Since he moved to Southern California, the interplay of surrealism and popular culture has become an ongoing part of his work.The gigantic triptych "Head to Tail" (illustrated above), consisting of three parts for each panel which all together create a unity, represents a part of the universe with the four elements: air, water, earth and fire. However, unlike reality, gravity has disappeared. The mirroring vision of dancers suggests the fragility of human values. Here, the work is in progress.

In his screen paintings, Kazandjian creates an intriguing depth through the interaction of shadows and silhouettes. Since the early nineties, the artist has been placing an almost imperceptible screen about an inch and a half away from the painted canvas. If we look closely, we notice that the screen carries its own painted image, and as we move our gaze across the dual-imaged surface, we are slowly able to perceive the one image through, with, and in the other. 

Press Release

Biography in English 

Biography in French



Permanent
exhibition

Hovnatanyan Hakob Mkrtum

The Portrait of Shushanik Nadirian (1840-50-ական թթ.)

canvas, oil
80x64 cm