The First Stage of Armenian-Swiss Joint Project

Recently “Albert and Tove Boyajian” exhibition-hall of State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia hosted a group of students from the Basel School of Design and the head of the group Mischa Leiner. Jointly with the students of computer graphics department of our Academy they actualized the first stage of poster design project on the theme “Armenia-Switzerland”.

During their one-week visit to Armenia Swiss students formed eight joint working groups together with Armenian students, managed to get acquainted with Armenian realities and culture in a short period of time and present their impressions in the form of a poster. The project realization succeeded also due to the students’ open and direct contacts and certainly, the selected sites; Matenadaran, History Museum of Armenia, National Gallery, House-museum of Parajanov, Pagan Temple of Garni and Geghard Monastery. This student exchange programme jointly with Armenian students will have its continuation in Switzerland where a project of such a kind will be actualized on the theme Switzerland-Armenia. This time the focuses will be on Swiss impressions and the works will be exhibited at the Basel School of Design.

Works exhibited in “Albert and Tove Boyajian” exhibition-hall were joint ideas of Armenian students and authors bearing diverse cultures. The Basel School of Design introduced an interesting multicultural palette of Swedish, American, Indian, Korean shades that created a common atmosphere with that of Armenian where the differences of culture were not noticeable at all.

In his welcome speech to the participants, the vice-rector for Academic Affairs and Science Mkrtich Ayvazyan introduced the nature and purpose of the project and its stages. He also suggested this good experience of cultural cooperation, after having its continuation in Switzerland, be given an opportunity to have a joint exhibition of works in Yerevan. The dean of Design and Applied Arts faculty Avetik Avetisyan noted that an amazingly effective work had been done and the very first successful experience would serve as a basis for further cooperation. Mischa Leiner, in his turn, appreciating this opportunity to get to know Armenia and Armenian culture and the work carried out, mentioned he would do his best to make the Armenian participants’ stay in Switzerland as effective as it was there and that it wouldn’t be the last one.

Coordinator of the Armenian side Nara Mendelyan and organizer Shoghakat Mlke-Galstyan expressed their satisfaction with the joint work project and exchange of experience.

From her experience in International projects, the latter came to the conclusion that in order to achieve success it is necessary to set the bar as higher as possible. Upon giving thanks to all the participants, organizers and supporters, Mkrtich Ayvazyan suggested a very impressive musical closing to the event with participation of “Space” duo that created a really pleasant mood, rhythm and atmosphere in the hall.

Melanya Badalyan
Translated by Naira Stepanyan

Project participants