Treasures from Our Collection
Mourad Marching Band
In the early 1940’s, marching bands were a fixture in every American ethnic group. Here at the Armenian Museum of America we have a saxophone, trumpet and a clarinet from the Mourad Marching Band of Providence, RI. Unfortunately, as men returned from war, they did not return to the same pastimes and marching bands slowly became unpopular. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares yet another piece of the Armenian American experience.
Calendars
Every December we all get inundated with organizations and businesses sending us promotional calendars. Maybe your grandmother gives you one each Christmas. But in the age of digital calendars on our smartphones, who needs these, right? Maybe not. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the calendars in our collection and the important history they document.
Please note: Mr. Lind-Sinanian says "Massis" when he meant "Marash". Massis Bakery still exists in Watertown!
The Art of Darvish
Here at the Armenian Museum, our mission is to educate the public about Armenian art and culture, and as such our galleries are filled with typically Armenian works. However, like any other culture, Armenian culture does not exist in a vacuum and can reflect influences from other traditions. This week, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the Persian influence over one family of Armenian artists. The artist André Sevruguin, who painted using the name Darvish, was a son of the Armenian photographer Antoin Sevruguin.
The Mardouni Theater Company
Al Vega, the beloved Boston jazz player sadly passed in 2011. He was renowned for his skill and for playing with jazz greats including Billie Holiday and Miles Davis. But Mr. Vega was not the only performer in the family. His father, Nigol Vagramian was the founder of the Mardouni Theater Company from Chelsea, Massachusetts. This troupe travelled and performed around New England to great praise. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the group and the impact they had on their audiences.
Siegel Rings
Last week we discussed the variety and uses of wooden molds and stamps, and this week we are following up with a more glamorous way to make impressions or markings. While jewelry is usually worn to enhance the beauty of the wearer or as a show of wealth, gems and jewels have had practical uses as well. Watch as Collection Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the use of siegel rings, their composition, and how they were produced.
Ankle Bells
Children are rambunctious and difficult to keep track of, and we all know that silence can sometimes be worse than a ruckus! Today we have Baby Bjorns, harnesses, and cameras to help us keep track of our kids, but what would you do if these weren’t available? Join Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian as he discusses the ingenious (and beautiful) means by which Armenian parents monitored their children’s whereabouts.
Armenian Ceramic Eggs
Churches are filled with beautiful art that come from rich traditions. In Armenia, ceramic eggs decorated with crosses and seraphim (angels) adorn the lamps suspended from the ceiling. They are lovely to behold, but are they just there to please worshippers or honor God? Why eggs and not some other shape? Listen as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the origin of the symbolism and use of these eggs.
Armenian Alphabet Chart
Have you ever wondered how languages and their use spread and change? Trade, travel, religion, scholarship, and war are some of the ways we see the dissemination and influence of language and other aspects of culture reach out from their origin communities. It is different for all languages and there is no one path, but in this week’s video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us one of the many means by which Europeans of the 18th century were exposed to the Armenian alphabet and language, including a unique use for Armenian letters.