Kond 1979

Curator: Petros Malayan's "Kond," created in 1979, presents us with a compelling mixed-media cityscape. Editor: It's immediately striking! The way the structures lean and huddle together evokes a sense of precariousness, as if the very fabric of this town is on the verge of unraveling. Curator: Indeed. Considering Malayan's context, working during a period of significant socio-political shifts, this precariousness reflects anxieties around cultural identity and the impact of Soviet modernization on traditional Armenian communities. The materiality of the mixed-media further emphasizes this; notice the layering, the almost cobbled-together feel. Editor: Yes, the materiality really speaks to the lived experience. The rough textures, the blending of paint and perhaps collage, hints at resourceful adaptation—a "making-do" with available materials and techniques to build a home, a life, a culture. It feels grounded in tangible reality. Is that paint or textile peeking through? Curator: Possibly both. These material choices underscore a theme of resilience in the face of potential erasure, particularly relevant for Armenians, grappling with questions of self-determination and cultural continuity within the Soviet system. The muted color palette echoes the somber mood. It brings forth notions of the state suppressing native identity in service of a broader Communist identity. Editor: The constrained palette certainly lends the painting a documentary feel, perhaps even tinged with melancholy. It encourages consideration of the everyday labor, the countless hands that built and maintained this place. The town itself is the artwork, in a sense, with each dwelling serving as brush strokes to Malayan’s canvas. Curator: Precisely! And that's where the strength lies. It isn't merely a depiction of a place; it’s a layered narrative about its inhabitants, their struggles, and their will to survive within larger, often impersonal historical forces. Editor: Absolutely. "Kond" really highlights how artists can transmute social context into compelling material explorations. It forces one to really think about a building and labor as the same idea. Curator: A poignant reminder of art’s role as a visual record, bearing witness to history's impact on ordinary lives. Editor: It's a testament to art's ability to be both a product of its time and a powerful commentary upon it.