NAASR Hye for Armenia! Exhibit and Symposium at the Met

During the day, there were opportunities for NAASR’s symposium attendees to explore the “Armenia!” exhibit. Sonia Dixon, a graduate student in art history at Florida State University, heard about the symposium through Dr. Lynn Jones, one of the symposium’s speakers, and was very impressed with the exhibit. “Looking at an old wooden door, the lack of symmetry in the details is fascinating and shows the artisan’s talents,” Dixon remarked. “This is a phenomenal exhibit.”

On the bus ride home, if there were a snack named High, it would have fit right in with this crowd, so thrilled with the opportunity to experience the art, history, and culture of Armenia with like-minded individuals in one sweeping day. Driving through the Bronx, eager NAASR participants, energized to share their thoughts with one another, were facilitated by two brilliant young scholars, Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, lecturer on Armenian at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, and Julia Hintlian, a PhD student in religion at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Having just experienced “Armenia!” and the symposium, these scholars were as excited as other NAASR attendees and shared their impressions. Gulesserian remarked, “We were impressed by the sheer number of artifacts exhibited,” while Hintlian, who has spent time in Echmiadzin, reflected on seeing some of the items from Echmiadzin’s collection now on display thousands of miles away in a different environment and setting.

As they fielded many questions pertaining to the symposium and the “Armenia!” exhibit, their knowledge and instant responses to questions piqued even further inquiry and discussion, and the setting felt more like an upbeat classroom with dynamic interplay and discussions than a humdrum bus ride home. Time flew by quickly as such topics as maps, manuscripts, liturgical vestments and vessels, and the Armenian language were discussed. Sonia Iskenderian said, “This was very interesting. They know their subjects very well, especially the differences between Western and Eastern Armenian and krapar.”

Snacks were again served by NAASR’s kind hosts, and though some people shut off the overhead light to take some shut eye, for others it was a time to further connect with old and new friends or make plans to continue the day’s mutually shared experiences. Anahid Mardiros remarked on The Met exhibit, “It was the first cultural representation of Armenia. It was such a wonderful, organized trip. NAASR should do more programs like this.” Sonya Merian chimed in, “I really enjoyed the symposium. I learned so much, for example, about the trade routes. It was beautifully organized; Laura Yardumian did a terrific job organizing the day. It was a very pleasant day from start to finish.”

Artist Marsha Odabashian, who has a studio and gallery in Boston’s South End concurred, “It’s not very often when a bus trip to NY includes three actively engaged experts. Artist and conservator Ani Babaian shared her first-hand knowledge on Armenian art of New Julfa and Isfahan on the way to The Met. Dr. Lisa Gulesserian and PhD candidate Julia Hintlian, on the way home, facilitated a lively open ended discussion on participants’ impressions of the exhibit and the way in which it was presented. The background knowledge, which they generously supplied, on the Armenian language and the art objects themselves added significant depth to the conversation. Without a doubt, the NAASR team arranged a well-organized, delightful, and worthwhile trip to Armenia! – a very important symposium and exhibition in NYC.”

Danny Donabedian, a student at Harvard’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilization program, remarked, “This trip was a great idea. As someone who is unfamiliar with NAASR other than its research in Armenian Studies, I discovered that NAASR has a fun, adventurous side. I thought this trip was extremely rewarding both as a scholar and as an Armenian-American, and have NAASR’s efforts to thank for that.”