ararat II (working title) cyanotype
119 cyanotypes on archival paper, approx. 1.45 x 1.05 m
Rearranged borders (dealing with the cultural, political and historical tensions surrounding the Mountain of Ararat.)
"Ararat emphasises Armenian and Armenia’s suffering and aspirations, especially the consequences of the 1915 genocide: almost total annihilation, loss of a unique culture and land, and an implicit to never recognize the new political borders.”
- Kevork Bardakjian
The Mountain of Ararat is a symbol of Armenia but outside of its territory for almost 100* years. Highly unapproachable through a closed border yet visible from everywhere in Yerevan, it remains a potent symbol: culturally, historically, emotionally.
The heritage, the story of Ararat looms heavy. It’s a symbol of loss, of resistance, of a future that might be, of a conflict that hasn’t been resolved. The complexity of the feelings surrounding this landmark is hard to grasp for an outsider. Deeply embedded into tales of romantic nationalism, loss of territory and life, Ararat is a symbol like a phantom – fleeting yet omnipresent.
This project deals with a narrative full of tension, reflecting Ararat’s different positions and meanings through rearranged borders of a satellite picture.
*Mount Ararat has officially been within the borders of Turkey since the Treaty of Kars in 1921, following the Turkish-Armenia war.
This project is connected to
-> one wish (for armenia)
Realized during a residency with the Institute of Contemporary Art Yerevan, Armenia with support from the European Cultural Foundation.
ararat II (working title) cyanotype
119 cyanotypes on archival paper, approx. 1.45 x 1.05 m
Rearranged borders (dealing with the cultural, political and historical tensions surrounding the Mountain of Ararat.)
"Ararat emphasises Armenian and Armenia’s suffering and aspirations, especially the consequences of the 1915 genocide: almost total annihilation, loss of a unique culture and land, and an implicit to never recognize the new political borders.”
- Kevork Bardakjian
The Mountain of Ararat is a symbol of Armenia but outside of its territory for almost 100* years. Highly unapproachable through a closed border yet visible from everywhere in Yerevan, it remains a potent symbol: culturally, historically, emotionally.
The heritage, the story of Ararat looms heavy. It’s a symbol of loss, of resistance, of a future that might be, of a conflict that hasn’t been resolved. The complexity of the feelings surrounding this landmark is hard to grasp for an outsider. Deeply embedded into tales of romantic nationalism, loss of territory and life, Ararat is a symbol like a phantom – fleeting yet omnipresent.
This project deals with a narrative full of tension, reflecting Ararat’s different positions and meanings through rearranged borders of a satellite picture.
*Mount Ararat has officially been within the borders of Turkey since the Treaty of Kars in 1921, following the Turkish-Armenia war.
This project is connected to
-> one wish (for armenia)
Realized during a residency with the Institute of Contemporary Art Yerevan, Armenia with support from the European Cultural Foundation.
© sandra singh, 2024