Description
Sergey Paradjanov was the author of several film-masterpieces which brought him world praise: “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (1964), “The Colour of Pomegranates” or “Sayat-Nova” (1969), “The Legend of Suram Fortress” (1985) and “Ashik-Kerib” (1988). Parajanov’s contribution to the art of cinema is first and foremost his original poetic film-language, highly valued by his contemporaries. His aesthetic system also includes plastic art, based on traditions of Armenian, Eastern and European art.
The museum of S. Parajanov was founded by resolution of the government in 1988, after the first exhibition of his Artworks at the State Museum of Armenian Folk Art. At that time appropriate premises consisting of two buildings (one for the museum and the other for home of S. Parajanov) were allocated in the Ethnographic Center “Dzoragiugh”. However construction was delayed due to the earthquake of 1988 and the museum was opened in 1991.
The basis of the museum collection constitute 600 works of Parajanov – assemblages, flat and three-dimensional collages, drawings, dolls and film sketches, furniture, own things, which were transformed from Tbilisi to Yerevan during his lifetime. In the course of years of its existence the museum storage has been replenished and today the number of subjects is 1500 units.
The museum also houses Parajanov’s personal be longings and presents from his friends. An extensive correspondence of the film-director, including letters from L. Brik, A. Tarkovsky, J. Nikulin, V. Katanyan and other cultural figures is also kept in the museum’s archives.
Two memorial rooms are also re-created.
Parajanov’s works – assemblages, flat and three-dimensional collages, drawings, dolls and film sketches are his distinctive reaction to life and events around him, his aesthetic perception of the world.
His drawings and collages created in prison are exhibited in separate hall.
The Artist’s work has no direct analogies in the world art and amazes with its fantasy, wit and artistry. The use of various materials and objects imparts to it a special charm and brilliance.
The Soviet system suspended Parajanov from shooting films for almost 15 years, 5 of which (1973-1977 and 1982) were spent in prisons and “camps of severe regime.”
In the course of 27 years of its existence the museum has organised 64 exhibitions more than 30 countries – Cannes, Athens, Tokyo, Moscow, Kiev, Boston, Rome, London, Tehran, Peking, Paris, Sofia, Brazil, Canada, Vilnius, and other cities.
Parajanov Museum is one of the most popular museums in Yerevan.