Artists, art managers and public figures in the "ARTFOCUS" pavilion discuss the most important events in the art world, the transformations of art, and issues concerning modern artists.
 
Author and Moderator: Anahit Margaryan
 
Director: Vardges Manukyan

 

 

Armenia in the spotlight at the Design Biennale


Painting, graphics, photography, industrial, graphic and museum design. These are the directions where Kamo Nigaryan has left his mark. Armenia was in the spotlight at the Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale, held in France from May 22 to July 6. Curator, museologist, scientific secretary of the Museum of Literature and Art Marine Haroyan and one of the curators of the Armenian pavilion at the 13th Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale, founder of the “AHA” collective, art critic Nayiri Khachaturyan spoke about the exhibition and Kamo Nigaryan’s revolutionary approaches to art and museum design at “Artfocus”. The program was hosted by Anahit Margaryan.

"Golden Apricot" 2025


For more than 20 years, the Golden Apricot has been the region's most influential and internationally recognized film festival. It screens films that represent the emotions, actions, and lives of people of different nations and faiths. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with Karen Avetisyan, the artistic director of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, in Artfocus.

The National Gallery after renovation


The National Gallery officially reopened on April 15 with a new look, modern solutions and diverse programs. The renovation began in 2021. The ventilation systems were changed and modernized, new elevators were installed, and the museum's exposition was changed. In parallel, other branches of the gallery were renovated. Anahit Margaryan spoke with Vigen Galstyan, head of the exhibition department of the National Gallery, about the changes taking place in the National Gallery and the development of the museum.

Educational programs of the Ayb "Rockers" orchestra


The educational concert of the Ayb School's "Rockers" orchestra on the theme "Visual Art in Rock" will take place at the Puppet Theater. The orchestra will perform works that represent the interaction of fine arts and rock culture. The upcoming concert and the topic of in-depth art education in general schools were discussed at "Artfocus" by Vahagn Papayan and Erik Aloyan, heads of the Ayb School's project-based learning club "Rockers".

What does modern Yerevan look like?


"Snkh" studio presented the concept for the reconstruction and modernization of the "HayArt" Museum of Contemporary Art at the exhibition "Without a Doubt" in Venice. What will the "HayArt" building and the adjacent area look like if the "Snkh" studio project is implemented? In "Artfocus", Anahit Margaryan spoke with architects Ashot and Armine Snkhchyan.

"HayArt"'s Content Struggles


"HayArt" as a museum of contemporary art, from the day it was founded in 1985 to the present day, is perhaps one of the most troubled cultural structures in the history of Armenia. The building of the Center for Contemporary Art has periodically undergone absurd changes in content. Now they are trying to solve these problems. Anahit Margaryan spoke with Sona Harutyunyan, the acting director of "HayArt" in "Artfocus".

The path of painter Gevorg Grigoryan


The artistic thinking of the painter Gevorg Grigoryan was formed in Tbilisi. The late 1920s and early 1930s were the years of the artist's creative rise, when he actively participated in the cultural life of Tbilisi, in exhibitions of Armenian and Georgian artists. In the 50s, his art began to be perceived and revalued in a new way. In 1962, the artist realized his greatest dream, settling in Yerevan with his wife and continuing to create with great enthusiasm until the end of his life. Anahit Margaryan's guest at "Artfocus" is Arpine Saribekyan, director of Gevorg Grigoryan's studio-museum.

Hasmik Baghdasarayan-Dolukhanyan's musical projects


Singer Hasmik Baghdasarayan-Dolukhanyan is the author of numerous projects. She organizes concerts with and for children. In addition, she implements a musical project for women over 60. She is an artist of the “Naghash” ensemble and the “Luys” quintet. Art critic Anahit Margaryan hosted Hasmik Baghdasarayan-Dolukhanyan at “Artfocus”.

Armenian Heritage Scanning Program


Since 2020, the preservation of the historical, cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh has become a critical issue. Since 2020, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies has launched the “Global Armenian Heritage Scanning Initiative” program, the goal of which is to document, preserve and make Armenian historical and cultural monuments accessible to the public, specialists engaged in the reconstruction and restoration of monuments, and researchers. In “Artfocus,” Anahit Margaryan discussed the topic with Hule Keshishyan, Senior Manager of the 3D Scanning Project at the TUMO Creative Center.

Armenian rock and non-formal education


In 2013, during the "The Levels of Sound" music courses at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Arik Grigoryan founded the "Tambata" band. Today, the band is active in Armenia and abroad. The band members are young people aged 14-21. Anahit Margaryan spoke with rock musician and educator Arik Grigoryan about their activities, Armenian rock, informal music education, and the problems of alternative music in Armenia in "Artfocus".

Martiros Saryan's House-Museum Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow


The Martiros Saryan House-Museum was opened in 1967, during the artist's lifetime.
The museum's exhibition presents all the periods and genres of the master's creativity, starting from the first drawings made at the age of 16 to the works created in the last months of his life. Visitors also have the opportunity to see Saryan's studio. What changes have occurred in the museum in recent years and what programs will be implemented in the near future? In "Artfocus" Anahit Margaryan talked with Bella Isahakyan, director of the Saryan House-Museum, and Ruzan Saryan, head of the exhibition organization department.
 

Valentin Podpomogov's works are on display at the Cafesjian Center


Dreams of Life and Death
The exhibition titled “Valentin Podpomogov: “Dreams of Life and Death”” has opened at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. The works of the famous Armenian painter, master of cinema, animation, design, and Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR Valentin Podpomogov are presented. The exhibition is dedicated to the artist’s 100th anniversary. Some of the works are being exhibited for the first time. The artist’s widow, Asya Podpomogov, and the Director of Exhibitions at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Armen Yesayants, spoke about the life, legacy, and creative path of Valentin Podpomogov at “Artfocus.”