Book on Katchaz presented in Yerevan

by Aris Sevag

Published: Friday February 05, 2010

Cover of Ararat Aghasyan's book "The Everlasting Lantern of Katchaz".

New York - The presentation of art critic Ararat Aghasyan's monograph devoted to the life and work of the prominent American-Armenian artist Katchaz (Katchazouni Kechejian, 1924-2004) took place on September 25, 2009 at the hall of the Komitas Chamber Music House in Yerevan.

This monograph, 600 copies of which were printed by Tigran Mets Publishing House, is the first in a series entitled "Essays on the Fine Arts History of the Armenian Diaspora," which is devoted to the works of diasporan Armenian artists - a project jointly undertaken by the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia and the Institute of Arts of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

In his monograph, Aghasyan presents a minute critical analysis of Katchaz's works to support his assertion that the artist was able to maintain and perpetuate the Armenian national spirit, even after his relocation from Soviet Armenia to the United States in 1973. Indeed, this assessment echoes the words of the artist himself: "Even if I paint New York, the outcome is Yerevan...If I paint an American, the outcome is an Armenian."

Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian, who was present at the event, spoke highly of the book and the artist. She considered the attention being focused on diasporan artists to be an important step forward. "Unfortunately, Katchaz is not known to all," she said. Referring to the program "Mer Metsere" (Our Great Ones), she stated that its purpose is to make prominent diasporan Armenians recognizable in Armenia, and native Armenians in the Diaspora. "In this way, the fine arts of the Diaspora, by being studied and published, can be brought to Armenia," she concluded.

Prof. Aghasyan, who is dean of the aforementioned Institute of Arts, remarked, among other things: "If this book contributes to the establishment and strengthening of bonds between the Homeland and the Diaspora, then I consider my mission to have been accomplished."

The artist's widow, philologist Satenik Kechejian, who is one of the best interpreters of her husband's art, also spoke. Reflecting on her husband's life and work, the latter said, "If this book launching were held in the United States, perhaps this many people wouldn't have attended. It was his dream to be more widely appreciated in Armenia. Although some did appreciate him, unfortunately, those were different times, generally speaking." Despite the fact that an album of the artist's works was published in Armenia in 2003, Satenik considers this new monograph to be more important: "Katchaz has passed on but his dream was realized today. His life, his career, his art are all in this book," she said.

The publication cost of this handsome illustrated (64 color reproductions) volume with English translation by the writer of this article, whose release coincided with the 85th anniversary of the artist's birth, was lovingly underwritten by Mrs. Kechejian.