HYE Times

Nairi Bagdasarian, 25 years old, lives in Farmington Hills Michigan. She went to the University Of Michigan’s School of Art & Design, and since then been working as a graphic designer, but also create paintings that are for sale. “My true passion in life has always been painting. Every since I was little I loved art and carried it on throughout my life”. said Bagdasarian. 

What inspires you to create?

As a child I’ve always had a fascination with paintings. I thought it was absolutely incredible that someone was able to create something so real and so beautiful. Surprisingly, inspiration for me doesn’t come from my everyday surroundings but more so from my desires. For example, I love to paint landscapes or scenery of places I’d like to imagine myself in. Also I love to make my paintings stand out and through vibrant and bold colors.  

Can you describe your greatest creative achievement?

My greatest achievement would have to be when I was living in Los Angeles in 2015 and won the grand prize for an art competition held by council member Paul Krekorian in honor to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. My painting was displayed on over 100 LA transportation buses for a few months. As a young Armenian woman, to be able to have the opportunity to spread awareness of the Armenian Genocide in such a public way was nothing less of an honor and a very proud moment for me.

What advice would you give to the next generation of creative people?

If I had to give any advice to other creative people…it may sound cliché, but it is so crucial to not be scared of putting yourself out there, taking risks, and making mistakes. It may seem like common knowledge but it could not be more true. I don’t know any successful person who has not made countless mistakes or went out of their comfort zone. Those few moments of awkwardness or embarrassment will not compare to that one moment that may change your life. Embrace your talent, your passion, and who you are!

What one word would you use to describe yourself or the work you do?

Confident. If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your work no one will have confidence in you or take you seriously.

To view Nairi’s artwork and contact her directly, following this link:  Nairiart.com

is a series of profiles of creative people throughout the world that I have either shared the stage with or have observed their talents from a far. The questions are my own and their answers are unaltered.

Last weekend at St. John’s Armenian Church and the ACYOA celebrated history with a dance that featured some of the present day legends of Armenian folk music. Both Hachig Kazarian and Richard Hagopian adorned the stage with Michael Kazarian and Mal Barsamian.

One can not help but think about the past whenever you hear our village music played by such artists like Hachig and Richard. As a people watcher, it clearly moved some to tears and you could see and feel what they were thinking as they listened to an evening of folk music. Enjoy some short clips of music that I captured on my iPhone that evening.

Levon Kafafian

Detroit-based, New York born, Levon Kafafian is a multi-media Armenian-American artist creating tactile and sensory works that explore the spaces between people, nature and culture.
He is the founder of Fringe Society, where he teaches classes and workshops on textile craft. He also teaches at various institutions including the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center, College for Creative Studies and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit.

He holds a BFA in Crafts: Fibers from the College for Creative Studies and a BA in Anthropology from Wayne State University.

What inspires you to create?

My lived experiences between cultural spaces inform my practice: growing up between two cultural worlds, living between spiritual practices, participating in many social/subcultural groups without truly belonging to any and working between art and design. These experiences manifest through new research that often integrates external ideas/influences from the natural world, as well as cultural and spiritual traditions.

Can you describe your greatest creative achievement?

As a space brimming with looms, projects and people of various types, the community weaving studio I have established and continue to run is the backbone of my practice and is what I believe to be my greatest achievement to date. Fringe Society, which I founded in 2013, has grown into a multifaceted studio organization that produces handwoven textiles for commercial sale and provides educational programming outside of the norm for textile craft. In addition, the space acts as a hub for social interaction and the development of community based within and around the production of textile goods and art.

What advice would you give the next generation of creative people?

To those who are new to any kind of creative practice, I have only two pieces of advice:
1.) A practice is just that–to become an expert at anything requires only practice, so get to it! 2.) Always seek new perspectives outside of your field, greatness comes from play and perseverance.

What one word would you use to describe yourself or the work you do?

Liminal

To learn more about Levon and his artwork, CLICK HERE.

is a series of profiles of creative people throughout the world that I have either shared the stage with or have observed their talents from a far. The questions are my own and their answers are unaltered.

A sad evening in the music world.

Legendary songwriter, vocalist and musician Leonard Cohen has passed at the age of 82.

Cohen was known for his poetry, his controversial lyrics and to me, he was known as an artist that collaborated with an array of musicians like none other of his generation.

In the seventies, Cohen blended his unique style with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean tones. One of his good friends was Armenian oudist John Bilezikjian, who we lost in 2015.

This past October, Cohen released what would his last album You Want It Darker.

Cohen and Bilezikjian collaborated on several songs, performed many concerts together –  here are some of those clips:

Everybody Knows (1988) – Live Concert

Live in Spain, 1988

(Photo of Leonard Cohen courtesy of his Facebook page)

Kresge Arts in Detroit will award 18 Kresge Artist Fellowships ($25,000 each plus professional practice opportunities), and two Gilda Awards ($5,000 each) to metro Detroit artists (Wayne, Oakland & Macomb counties). Kresge Artist Fellowships and Gilda Awards are given to emerging and established metro Detroit artists.

Learn more about the guidelines for applying for a Kresge fellowship by CLICKING HERE.

Nine fellowships and one Gilda Award will be given in each of the following categories:

LITERARY ARTS
Arts Criticism
Creative non-fiction
Fiction
Graphic Novels
Poetry
Spoken Word
Zines
Interdisciplinary Work

VISUAL ARTS
Book Art
Ceramics
Collage
Drawing
Fiber
Glass
Installation
Metalwork
New Media
Painting
Photography
Performance Art
Printmaking
Sculpture
Video Art
Interdisciplinary Work

The online application portal opens December 1, 2017 and the deadline to apply is January 19, 2017. 

Cathy Jacobs and her artwork

Cathy Jacobs is a working artist who calls herself a weaver and a painter. Ms. Jacobs has been painting since her early childhood, but it was not until 2014 that she learned to weave while in graduate school. It immediately took hold of her imagination. Through weaving, she found that she could express the full spectrum of colors and moods in 3-dimensional space. Her current focus is in weaving panels of linen that, when layered together, create vibrating fields of color.

Ms. Jacobs grew up in Ferndale, Michigan, studied art at Wayne State University in the mid-nineties and graduated with an MFA from Eastern Michigan University in 2015. She has since had her work exhibited at SOFA Expo in Chicago, Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City, and the World of Threads Festival in Ontario, Canada. Her weavings are represented at Next Step Studio and Gallery in Ferndale, Michigan and at State of the Arts Fine Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida. She lives with her husband, Leonardo, in Ann Arbor and has her studio at Ypsi Alloy Studios in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

What inspires you to create?

The sky, the air, ornate fabric, old photographs

Can you describe your greatest creative achievement?

I don’t believe that any one action or creation has been more important than any other. Continuing to create has been my greatest achievement.

What advice would you give to the next generation of creative people? 

No one else knows what you are capable of. People along the way may tell you no or that you can’t. If you know in your heart that you can, do it anyway.

What one word would you use to describe yourself or the work you do? Sparkly

To see more of Cathy’s artwork visit www.cathyjacobs.com

is a series of profiles of creative people throughout the world that I have either shared the stage with or have observed their talents from a far. The questions are my own and their answers are unaltered.

Wayne State University (WSU) honored all Kresge Artist Fellows that were affiliated with the college either as past student or professor at a private reception last night in Midtown Detroit. This event was coordinated by the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts department.

WSU is my alma mater and it was an honor to be part of this exhibition as a past Kresge fellow. Several artists, writers and musicians were profiled at the Will Leather store which is located in Midtown Detroit. This exhibition features examples from our artwork and will be on display through the end of November.

President Roy Wilson, Wayne State University

President Roy Wilson, WSU commented about the importance the arts are in Detroit and how this has contributed to the regrowth of Detroit. WSU is dedicated to the arts and I heard that over 40 of the Kresge Artist Fellows were WSU graduates. I want to thank WSU for providing a venue for artists to continue to spread their artistic achievements. I echo President Wilson’s comments about the importance to encourage and embrace arts and culture in Detroit.

Kim Hunter

I played a little music, but for me it was much more enjoyable for me to hear poets/writers like Kim Hunter and Jessica Care Moore share their works. I also ran into Cheryl Alston and Chris Pottinger, part of the 2012 Kresge Artist Fellow class and Frank Pahl, another great musical artist.

Once again, I am thankful for all that being part of the Kresge family has done for me as a musician. Continually it inspires me to create in ways that are new and satisfying as an artist.

A special thanks to Founder/CEO Will Adler, Will Leather who opened his marvelous store to the arts for this reception. Located in the heart of Midtown Detroit you need to visit this iconic store if you pay our city a visit. Some of the rarest and finest leather goods in the country can be purchased there.

Thank you to WSU team of Dean Matt Seager, Patrick Field, Andrew Morawski, and Laura Orme for honoring and welcoming me to this reception.