[VKHUTEMAS AESTHETICS IN ARMENIA] Khorhrdayin Hayastani kerparvestĕ: 1922-1934 [The art of Soviet Armenia: 1922-1934]

First and only edition of this rare survey of the early graphic arts, painting, and sculpture of Soviet Armenia, edited by the VKhUTEMAS-educated Armenian artist Tachat Khachvankian. Divided into three categories, painting, graphics and sculpture, the 121 catalogued items in fact also cover book design and mural arts. All together, the catalog traces the development of Soviet Armenian art from the official establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, through the "cultural revolution" of the first Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) and beyond. Some of the items listed in the catalog are held by the National Gallery of Armenia, while other more ephemeral items seem to have been lost, with this catalog becoming a rare source containing both.

Tachat Khachvankian (1896-1940) was a key figure in Armenian constructivism, whose work is noted for its restraint, sense of proportion, and laconism. In 1925-1930 he studied at VKhUTEMAS in Moscow, a hotbed of artistic experimentation in the 1920s, with teachers such as the graphic artist Vladimir Favorsky and leading modernist figurative painter Aleksandr Deineka. In 1930, Khachvankian returned to Armenia, where he became the technical editor of the Armenian Gosizdat (state publishing house). The art historian A. Avakian noted that in this position, Khachvankian was able to significantly influence the aesthetics of all Armenian Gosizdat production, pushing it in the constructivist direction. A number of Khachvankian's book designs are included in the catalog.

Shavarsh Hovhannesian (1908-1980), the Armenian book illustrator, poster artist, and painter, whose work was known for its subtle humor, designed the book. His painting is also featured within, along with paintings by Hakob Kojoyan (1883-1959) another innovator of new Soviet traditions in Armenian art. The sculpture section highlights the work of Ara Sargsian (1902-1969), the father of modern Armenian sculpture. The graphics section includes posters with Soviet themes by Manuk Harutyunyan, Edward Sargsyan, and Ararat Garibyan. Other artists included in the catalog are Martiros Saryan, Panos Terlemezian, Stepan Aghajanian, Vrtanes Akhikyan, Gabriel Gyurjyan, and Stepan Taryan. Assembling the work of these artists, the catalog is fascinating window into the early formation of the Soviet Armenian artistic tradition. One of 2000 copies. First and only edition of this rare survey of the early graphic arts, painting, and sculpture of Soviet Armenia, edited by the VKhUTEMAS-educated Armenian artist Tachat Khachvankian. Divided into three categories, painting, graphics and sculpture, the 121 catalogued items in fact also cover book design and mural arts. All together, the catalog traces the development of Soviet Armenian art from the official establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, through the "cultural revolution" of the first Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) and beyond. Some of the items listed in the catalog are held by the National Gallery of Armenia, while other more ephemeral items seem to have been lost, with this catalog becoming a rare source containing both.

Tachat Khachvankian (1896-1940) was a key figure in Armenian constructivism, whose work is noted for its restraint, sense of proportion, and laconism. In 1925-1930 he studied at VKhUTEMAS in Moscow, a hotbed of artistic experimentation in the 1920s, with teachers such as the graphic artist Vladimir Favorsky and leading modernist figurative painter Aleksandr Deineka. In 1930, Khachvankian returned to Armenia, where he became the technical editor of the Armenian Gosizdat (state publishing house). The art historian A. Avakian noted that in this position, Khachvankian was able to significantly influence the aesthetics of all Armenian Gosizdat production, pushing it in the constructivist direction. A number of Khachvankian's book designs are included in the catalog.

Shavarsh Hovhannesian (1908-1980), the Armenian book illustrator, poster artist, and painter, whose work was known for its subtle humor, designed the book. His painting is also featured within, along with paintings by Hakob Kojoyan (1883-1959) another innovator of new Soviet traditions in Armenian art. The sculpture section highlights the work of Ara Sargsian (1902-1969), the father of modern Armenian sculpture. The graphics section includes posters with Soviet themes by Manuk Harutyunyan, Edward Sargsyan, and Ararat Garibyan. Other artists included in the catalog are Martiros Saryan, Panos Terlemezian, Stepan Aghajanian, Vrtanes Akhikyan, Gabriel Gyurjyan, and Stepan Taryan. Assembling the work of these artists, the catalog is fascinating window into the early formation of the Soviet Armenian artistic tradition. One of 2000 copies.