Yervand Kochar’s art presented in a new language (Performance-Installation) — this is how the works of Yervand Kochar, one of the greatest painters/sculptors of the 20th century, are embodied and vocalized.
The creator of the dramaturgical concept of Performance-Installation titled “Kochar 360°” is Artistic Director of the French “Saté-Atr” Theater Union, President of “ART-IMAGE” cultural NGO Saté Khachatryan, and the performance was staged by French dance instructor Mourad Merzouki.
“The “My Step” Foundation is co-financing the “Kochar 360°” performance, which is dedicated to the 125th birth anniversary of Yervand Kochar, who is the greatest and major artist, painter and sculptor of the 20th century. The aim of the performance is to convey life to the sculptures-paintings of Kochar, establishing dialogue between classical art and modern technologies. “Kochar 360°” is a multi-genre performance that consolidates dance, live music and the image system. The “My Step” Foundation pays great attention to cultural life and the arts. We have several programs and initiatives, and we will continue to develop and implement more in 2025 as well. One of those initiatives is co-financing this performance and participating in this major cultural event,” Deputy Director of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation for Programs and External Relations Talin Topalakian remarked.
The performance was held in Armenia twice at the National Gallery of Armenia (6-7 November). The creators tried to present the visual-spatial thinking of Kochar. The performance featured parts from the interviews of Yervand Kochar, and in one of those interviews, Kochar stated the following: “In painting, to a certain extent, one has to be a prophet and see the future in the present.”
“I know that this is not a very common genre in our reality, but it is not an absolute innovation either because performance-installations are presented around the world and in Armenia. We chose to present Kochar in this form and in this style since Kochar is already multi-genre due to his thinking, and for me, the genius of Kochar is that, first and foremost, he was ahead of his time, meaning a few decades ago Kochar was already thinking about things that would emerge in the arts and become popular in the future,” stage director of the performance Saté Khachatryan emphasized.
The performance will also be staged in France as well, a country where Kochar lived and worked for years and where his works were showcased next to the works of the geniuses of those times, including Picasso, Léger, Picabia, Matisse and others. Implementation of this project allows audiences to learn about and discover the art of Kochar in more detail.
