Armenia is an ancient nation. Steeped in history and positioned in the heart of the Caucasus, the Republic of Armenia has a colourful history rich in vibrant visual culture. From the bright ceilings of Etchmiadzin Cathedral to the stone khachkar crosses that line Lake Sevan, Armenia has always taken pride in its art. But just as the legacy and foundations of Armenian art is old, it is also modern, continuously having reinvented and adapted itself with the changes that have shaped the nation throughout its history. Today, Armenia is home to dozens of museums, a number of art colleges and a thriving art scene, making 2018 the perfect time to host the very first Armenia Art Fair.

Between 11th and 14th May Yerevan Expo centre will welcome galleries from the former Soviet space, Russia, the Middle East and UK in order to create dialogue between neighbouring and far-away nations about individualities and similarities in their artworks, artists and traditions. There will be a curated “Open space” dedicated to individual contemporary artists from a wide variety of media including: video, music and installation, as well as a “Millennial Spotlight”, to highlight the talents of young, emerging, up and coming talent.

With the added support of art-world professionals and curators from Russia, Switzerland and Austria, the fair will not only stage exhibitions, but also provide daily art workshops and debates that feature leading art-world critics and theorists to challenge and discuss trends in both the local and global contemporary art world and art market. “The first international Art Fair in Armenia will allow the Armenian art scene to demonstrate the financial potential of this market”, says curator Eva Khachatrian,

Adds Zara Ouzounian , director “Our goal is to create an art platform that is flexible, affordable and ”accommodates both mainstream galleries and ones that operate more unconventionally, such as pop-up galleries or online galleries “

Why, might you ask, should Armenia stage an art fair, when there are so many other similar global events? ‘’Today’s Armenia is home to most daring and innovative initiatives, aspiring and inspiring artists ready to share their vision and interact with the world” , says Irina Igitkhanyan, head of special project
Situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Armenia has a unique position at the intersection of cultures, traditions and ideas. The fair will allow another layer of the global art scene to be explored, providing a platform for Armenian artists to be discovered by art-world professionals who have only scratched the surface of Armenian art, both historical and contemporary.

As a response to the need to address the challenges faced by Armenian artists in gaining visibility, the fair – that has been produced by the Aragil Art Foundation – is striving to build a local art market that can function in an international and global art world, as well as to cement Armenia as an international centre for the creative industries. “We want to encourage artistic investments in the country to advantage arts education and foster a new generation of talent”, says Nina Festekjian, co-founder of the fair. A clear plus in this endeavor is the relatively large footprint the global Armenian diaspora has in the world. Leveraged properly, the diaspora experiences as well as the involvement of many talented Armenians in these fields, can aid Armenia’s artistic evolution as a centre for creativity with something to offer the world.

The art fair’s launch team is comprised of successful professional women who bring specific areas of expertise as well as varied cultural perspectives. “Our team is driven by a collective desire to make the international local and the local international”, explains Sarah Watterson, head of PR and Communication. The ultimate goal of Armenia Art Fair is to be the bridge linking these two worlds.
In addition to ensuring that Armenia’s status as an artistic hub is well established, the fair will also highlight Armenia as a tourist destination. Conveniently placed near the center of Yerevan, the fair is a short distance by car to the many historical sites that are abundant across Armenia, providing ample opportunity for visitors to discover the ancient arts of Armenia within a matter of hours after having seen its most modern, innovative and cutting-edge works at Yerevan Expo Center.