Held under the patronage of Bishop Shahe Panossian, Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon and the sponsorship of Mr. & Mrs. Hovig and Maral Kurkjian, the ceremony saw the gathering of many artists and art-lovers including a representative of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, V. Rev. Father Baruyr Shernezian.
Grace Baboyan Lojikian welcomed the attendees. Then, she presented the artist saying that Zaven Hadichian is considered the most successful artist among the Lebanese Armenian community and in the history of Armenian art. The first Lebanese expert sculptor who has held many exhibitions in Europe and Middle East.
Art Gallery director Hagop Havatian expressed his joy in having the privilege and honor to organize the launch of this book, the result of 60 years of production by Sculptor Zaven Hadichian. He praised the artist and then said that by venerating the artist we also glorify the nation because the works of such pioneers ensure the survival of the nation.
“We bow in front of Zaven Hadichian’s assets
produced with universal and national values over 60 years;
we bow in front of their greatness and their simplicity.”
~ Hagop Havatian
Hovig Kurkjian also spoke and thanked the artist for his contribution to humanity through his art.
Art critic, Dr. Movses Hergelian said that this book would be an opportunity for all of us to know the artist better and thus appreciate his work more. He mentioned that Hadichian had a liking for the ancient Egyptian art because their religion attempted to achieve immortality.
Hadichian’s art was born with the sculpture of a kneeling girl; then it has grown to stand up, stand tall, and eventually fly and soar across the universe looking for immortality.
“Zaven impulsively soars the universe.
He is uniquely original and follows his inner voice.
Subconsciously, he has created a unique style
which has no precedent in the world.”
~ Dr. Hergelian
Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon Bishop Shahe Panossian also referred to the originality and uniqueness of the artist’s work. He added that art has no nationality, and that Zaven Hadichian’s exceptional art has become a part of the universal culture. He also said that the artist has translated in his work the beautiful, the perfect, the noble and the good of the Armenian and Lebanese actuality.
“The names of the artists who have grown
from the Lebanese-Armenian reality do not fade with time,
on the contrary they transform to manpower,
just as is Zaven Hadichian’s case.”
~ Bishop Panossian
Artist Zaven Hadichian expressed his joy with the production and launch of his book. He said he’s dream came true.
“If the works of an artist are not remembered, he soon perishes.”
~ Zaven Hadichian
Hadichian added that it is one of his dreams and a moral responsibility to produce a sculpture dedicated to the independence of Gharapagh.
“The book also includes my life alongside my sculptures
because I believe that the life and the works of an artist are inseparable;
one needs to know the artist well to understand his work well.”
~ Zaven Hadichian
“60 Years of Production” by Zaven Hadichian
Palig Ladoyian’s performance on the piano highlighted the event.
At the end of the ceremony, the artist signed his book for the attendees.
45 of the artist’s sculptures made from bronze, marble and ivory stand proud on both floors of the Hamazkayin Art Gallery until November 30, 2015.
The Art Gallery is open every day except Sundays, from 9:30am until 6:30pm.