Vahe’s new solo exhibition “Four Months in Heaven” scheduled to open at the AMBROGI | CASTANIER GALLERY in West Hollywood on Saturday, May 3rd. After his recent theatrical success, with his highly acclaimed play Baron Garbis, Vahe is quite literally going back to the drawing board, spending “Four Months in Heaven,” as he returns his focus to the brush and canvas.
One might compare Vahe’s work to a child’s notebook, filled with incoherent words and images, but all together a unique and intrinsic form of expression. His minimalist abstract paintings are reminiscent of cave drawings, quite raw and honest, whose progeny comes from a rather simple and innocent place. “Four Months in Heaven” employs this idea of revisiting simplicity; that an artist spends time in isolation, in an almost monk-like state of solitude, and the desire to express is manifested through the paint. An artist must take themselves away from the various distractions of the world and allow themselves to exist through the medium. “Painting gives me wings,” says Vahe, as he examines his journey as a painter. To Vahe this experience is simultaneously liberating and centering, taking him to an almost ethereal place.
WHAT: Four Months In Heaven
WHO: Vahe Berberian’s solo exhibition
WHERE: Ambrogi | Castanier Gallery 300 North Robertson Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90048
WHEN: May 3 - 24, 2008. Opening Reception, May 3, 6-10 pm
Serj Tankian approached various friends in the art world to direct a video for every song on Elect The Dead, his debut solo release. This allowed for each director to showcase their personality, creating a unique approach to each song they were given.
Track 6, The Sky Is Over, directed by Oscar-nominated Puerto Rican playwright and screenwriter Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries), captures Vahe in the studio painting feverishly, inspired by the song. “For me,” says Berberian, “it was a magnificent collaboration between three artists and friends. I have always used music as a source of inspiration and this time, it was even more so because of the fact that both the musician and the filmmaker were good friends” This unique glimpse into the artist’s methodology and environment is a feast for the eyes.
Vahe’s art has been featured as the CD cover & in the jacket for Serj Tankian’s solo album, Elect the Dead. The works chosen are a mix of assemblages and acrylic on metal pieces. Tankian immediately migrated toward the cover’s assemblage, My Angel, which was hanging in the artist’s hallway. “We spent some time listening to the tracks, trying to see which works fit his music, but when Serj saw the eyes on the Milagros, he knew that’s exactly what he wanted,” says Berberian, “It was the perfect marriage of our two worlds.” The Milagros, -acrylic on metal pieces used in the jacket - are a leap from the artist’s minimalists abstract paintings. The small, colorful, figurative paintings show the artists whimsical side and are part of Berberian’s Milargos series. “The Milagros started as an experiment, but I enjoyed the process so much that I could not stop. As an abstract painter, tapping into the figurative well of my unconscious was quite a revelation,” says Berberian. To see more of Vahe’s works please visit VaheBerberian.com. To find out more about Serj’s new album go to SerjTankian.com.
WHAT: Baron Garbis in the Bay Area
WHERE: Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. 2640 College Ave. Berkley, CA
WHEN: Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, 2008
HOW: East Bay - Sako Shirikain 925-785-6051 or Hasmig Gregorian 925-935-5342 Hyecouple@aol.com
SF - Viken Kabajouzian 650-994-2977 or Ani Ayanian 415-664-9765
South Bay - Vera Moroyan - 408-406-5522 or Araxie Arzoumanian 408-779-3093
Vahe Berberbian’s theatrical sensation, Baron Garbis, has been extended for an additional 8 performances only! After 38 sold out performances in Sherman Oaks, at the Whitefire Theater, Baron garbis has moved to the AGBU Theater in Pasadena. The play will run from March 29 to April 20, every Saturday and Sunday.. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Baron Garbis.
Synopsis:
From his armchair in his North Hollywood home, Baron Garbis has resisted the advances of time and the social changes that come with it, clinging firmly to the unforgiving social structure and conservative moral values of his days back home. In his mind, he is still in the ramparts of Bourdj Hamoud defending the world as he knows it – his rigid conservative values, his family’s reputation, his friends and his neighborhood.Tensions rise as Baron Garbis feels his control slipping through his fingers when pushed by his son Jirair to confront an old family issue. As layers of family history buried in secrecy are peeled, Baron Garbis is forced to face his beliefs, actions, fears and ultimately his future.Laced with humor, stories of bravado and rage, Baron Garbis is a universal drama of family love, loyalty and honor revealed as three generations – Baron Garbis, his son Jirair and grandson Khajag – with vastly different pasts, upbringings, morals and values clash. For more information visit Baron Garbis.
WHERE: AGBU Theater
2495 E. Mountain Street Pasadena, California 91104
WHEN: March 29 - April 20
Every Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm
HOW: For reservations & information call 818-397-7392 or visit www.BaronGarbis.com
