1. - Armenian Murals Yearbook (A)
Armenian Mural art is one of the oldest and unique art domains, which is not fully studied yet. Book or article resources are scarce about it, while the existing ones are dedicated to specific monuments. In an attempt to draw attention to this art domain, the publication of a yearbook is suggested (1 - 2 year periodicals) containing articles on artistic, descriptive, analytic and art criticism material, news and updates on the restoration and progress of the murals.
In cooperation with:
National Gallery of Armenia
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
Armenian Scientific Research Center of Mural Restoration
Coordinator: Karen Matevosyan - PhD Historical Sciences
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2. - A Comprehensive Database of Armenian Murals (Armenia and abroad)
Incomplete research on the Armenian murals gives us little information about it as to their number, location of churches or structures preserved, the time of creation, etc. Monuments of mural art have been documented in the State Registry of Historic and Cultural Monuments and architectural monuments directories, while there is no information about those monuments beyond the territory of Armenia. Compiling of detailed information on the Armenian murals in order to create a comprehensive database shall be initiated. It is necessary to form a group of accredited experts and professionals and involve them in the internationally recognized practice of interrogatory documentation to create a scientific ID for every mural with description of the monument, technology used, historical and other details about the mural, bibliography, old and new photographs and details about restorations.
In cooperation with:
Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection Agency
National Gallery of Armenia
Armenian Scientific Research Center of Mural Restoration
Organization for Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA)
Coordinator: Hasmik Ginoyan
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3. - A Comprehensive Database of Icons (ecclesiastical painting) in Armenia and Abroad
The 17th-19th centuries were extraordinary in the history of the Armenian fine arts, especially ecclesiastical painting (icons), when for the first time ever easel paintings were introduced and created. Many works of art were presents for the clergy, and therefore they had religious motifs, saints etc, some of them had writings of commemorative nature, at the bottom part of the painting (the writings would bear the donors’ name, name of the church and date, and in some cases more details). The paintings, in possession of the Holy Etchmiadzin and the ones in the National Gallery of Armenia have mainly, been researched, (although they are not individually catalogued), but thoseabroad are not known to the researches (very little data is available).
It is suggested to create acommon Armenian religious art database, including researched ones. This project could be executed through separate segments of smaller scale:
The Armenian icons in Jerusalem
The Armenian icons in Venice
The Armenian icons in Vienna
The Armenian icons in the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the churches
The Armenian icons in Iran
The Armenian icons in Lebanon and Syria
The Armenian icons in Russia and Ukraine
The Armenian icons in Romania
The Armenian icons in Georgia (churches and museums) and additions to follow.
Possible local support (photographing and measuring the dimensions) would largely contribute to the execution of this project. In case of executing this project, we will have a consolidated database of catalogued cultural and historical documents important in the sense of research of the Armenian fine arts and the commemorative writings in terms of publication.
In cooperation with:
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
National Gallery of Armenia
Corresponding Dioceses and Monastic Orders of the Armenian Church
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4.-The Armenian Scriptoria of Western Armenia and Cilicia (10th – 19th centuries, Maps and Information Database)
In 2011-2012 the RA State Committee of the funded a project for the Matenadaran initiative, it was called the Western Armenian and the Cilician Scriptoria of the 10th-15th, centuries. That project resulted in the creation of corresponding maps in Armenian and English, and a database about the manuscripts that were created in these literary centers. (See the map in the maps section of this site). It is necessary complete this project by continuing the work from the 15thto the 19thcenturies, including the existing research for a complete database.
In cooperation with:
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
Coordinator: Lusine Toumanyan (Candidate of Historical Sciences)
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5.-Archeological Expeditions to Locate and Excavate the Gladzor University
One of the unexplored pages in the Armenian cultural history is the discovery of the location of the University of Gladzor. In the past, a number of professionals have brought up the importance of locating the Gladzor University and several theories and thesis were presented about it. However, none of them proved to be credible. On the other hand, recently, a book called Hypothesis of the Location of the University of Gladzor, by Tigran Mkrtchyan, the new theory presented is also, based on references from true sources. According to him the “Aghperts Vank” or “Gladzor” was located close to the “Hormon Vank”, on the hill to the northwest of the “Hormon Vank”, but the Hormon Vank has served as one of the Gladzor University campuses. See more on this theory and details in the Books section of our site. This hypothesis will be either proved or rejected with the appropriate funding for archeological research and expedition.
In cooperation with:
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography (RA NAS).
Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection Agency
Coordinator: Tigran Mkrtchyan
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6.-Archeological Expeditionfor theDiscovery of (location9, of the CathedralChurch (11th century) in Havouts Tar Monastery
The Havouts Tar Monastery is located in between Garni and Geghard, on the right bank of the Azat River. It is one of Armenia’s oldest and most famous monasteries which had reached its cultural peak in the 11th 14th centuries. At present, the main structures are in a semi ruined condition. During a scientific research on the monastery’s history and lithographic inscriptions, the archeologist-lithographer Gagik Sargsyan noted that he has discovered a wall that was part of the oldest church in the place. In the later years a primary document was discovered in the Matenadaran, whereby, it is stated that the church was built in 1002 A.D. by Prince Gevorg, the lord (owner) of the Keghi Fortress.The document also states that the church was called Cathedral and that it had nine altars. The coordinating inspections made it possible to locate the exact place of the church, which is under the ruins. See in the Books section of our site, the book called Havouts Tar, by Karen Matevosyan, published in Yerevan, 2012, (pages 48 - 49). Exploring the area will give an opportunity to find this remarkable church from the 11th century.
In cooperation with:
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia
Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection Agency
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography (RA NAS)
Coordinator: Arsen Harutyunyan (Candidate of Historical Sciences)
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7. - Creation of Short Films (7 - 15 minutes) to Highlight Armenian Monuments, Monasteries and Churches (including Artsakh)
Several films have been shot about the most famous monuments, monasteries, and churches. However, not all of them are covered. The use of the Internet has a unique opportunity to widespread our historical, cultural heritage promote it to a wider audience from around the world. In order to enrich the Armenian digital media, new films need to be made, on a professional level.
In cooperation with:
“ Shoghagat “ TV, Armenia
Coordinator: Karen Matevosyan,PhD Historical Sciences
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