A Meeting with Arto Tchakmaktchian

On November 2, Naregatsi Art Institute realized a very important project; A meeting with painter and sculptor Arto Chakmakchyan. This event was on the occasion of his album “Portraits” which was organized and published by NAI. The audience consisted of intellectuals, artists like Sergey Khachikoghlyan of “Sargis Khachents” publishing house, director Tigran khzmalyan, painter Saro Kalents, Poet Artashes Ghazaryan, reporters from TV stations like “Haylour”, “Lraber” “H2”, “Dar 21”- “Armenpress”, “Forum”, “168 hours” and “Journalist” newspapers, young sculptors and art lovers.

The hall was completely full.

After the film on the artist’s unique world, the audience was presented with Arto’s new work which was realized during his stay in Canada after he left Armenia.

The Artist gave his explanation on each slide accompanied by an interesting story about every work.

After the slide show, the audience was given a chance to ask questions to which Arto answered by giving examples from the rich experiences of his artistic life. The event turned into a dialogue and for a while, to a short but amazing lecture.

“Armenia has persevered thanks to the creative talent of our people” says Arto Tchakmaktchian, “it is through art that the Armenian people constitute a part of history”. “I left Armenia in order to keep loving Armenia”, “the essence of art is humane...it is essential in order to be able to live, to make others live”. “A sculpture is an idea, a philosophy....”

We are certain that during this event many people from the audience met with not only Arto the artist but also in some way, they revealed Arto the man and Arto the Armenian.

The audience left NAI with comment like “his charm lies in his simplicity and honesty” ... “Arto’s art has a more global value regardless of having a touch of patriotism”.