Garik Gyurjyan
dal 3/5/2007 al 19/5/2007
Segnalato da
3/5/2007
Garik Gyurjyan
Harvest Gallery, Glendale
Children of Hayk. The exhibition present 25 silver gelatin prints from the photographer's upcoming book with the same title. Garik's style of portraiture is reminiscent of Penn and Avedon and could almost be described as compassionate.
Children of Hayk
Exhibition titled “Children of Hayk” will present 25 silver gelatin prints from
Garik Gyurjyan’s upcoming book with the same title.
Garik Gyurjyan is a Los Angeles based photographer. He teaches photography at
California State University at Northridge. Graduating from Pasadena Art Center
College of Design with a BFA degree in 2003 Garik has commissioned portraits for
clients such as Times Magazine, Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine, Hollywood
Records, DreamWorks Records, LA Weekly and others.
According to legend, Hayk, the great-great-grandson of Noah defeated the
Babylonian king Bel in 2492 BC near the mountains of lake Van and went on to
establish the first Armenian nation. “Hayk” or “Hayastan” in Armenian. Therefore,
according to tradition all Armenians are considered to be descendants of Hayk.
The exhibition “Children of Hayk” is a look at these descendants more than 4000
years later. These are portraits of Armenians from all walks of life, artists,
musicians, scientist, religious leaders, soldiers and workers. Each person
symbolizes the struggles and hopes of thousands of other Armenians and together
they create a snapshot of Armenian society in the beginning of 21st century. It is
a society with a growing diaspora and one that is as diverse and spread out as it
has ever been.
Garik’s style of portraiture is reminiscent of Penn and Avedon and could almost be
described as compassionate. His affinity for his subjects is evident in most of
his photographs, whether it is an actor staring down the camera or a priestly
looking soldier full of anticipation. It feels like an optimistic and loving look
at his people. Portraits are iconic but yet he is not pandering to his subjects.
Each photograph seems to be capturing a moment that is full of subdued emotions
and tension where the subject is not entirely comfortable or relaxed.
“I don’t necessarily want people to be completely comfortable in front of my
camera”, says Garik. “What the camera sees when the person is a little
uncomfortable is much more interesting to me, in a way it’s truer”.
Artist opening reception: Friday, May 4, 7:00-10:00pm
Harvest Gallery
938 N. Brand Blvd. - Glendale
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00am to 7:00pm.
Free admission