After several residency programs throughout Europe, multidisciplinary artist Gayane Avetissian has returned home for her first major museum exhibition in Armenia. On November 22, 2024, her latest work Mejtegh (“In Between”) premiered at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan. The Center is known for spotlighting emerging talent and remarkable modern exhibitions, and this latest exhibit did not disappoint. Visitors were invited into the expansive world and thought-process of Avetissian.
Walking into the gallery, the visitor immediately sees that they are stepping into an unconventional exhibit. The artist’s table is on view, with a bunch of unfinished works and canvases; old books, ornaments, flowers and even old carpets adorn the space. There’s an old television, chairs and snacks laid down on the table, with a jazzve and half-used coffee box. At its core, the exhibition challenges the conventional roles of the museum and artist by inviting visitors into this intimate space — the artist’s studio.
With this setting, the visitor can easily fall into the trap that they are somewhere they are not supposed to be. But slowly, they integrate into the welcoming atmosphere. It is cozy, unapologetic and just real, making the visitor a part of the process and bridging the gap between the artist’s world and their own. In this way, Avetissian blurs the lines, redefining the dynamics between artist, museum and visitor, while rethinking what defines an exhibition.
The exhibit raises questions such as, “What expectations do you hold before entering a cultural institution? To what extent should museums and art centers fulfill those expectations, and is it even their role to do so? What does an art center offer to both an artist and a visitor, and how does it shape this complex relationship?”
The exhibition explores the concept of an artist’s role and place — be it the studio, the museum or somewhere in between. Rather than presenting a polished final piece, Avetissian invites visitors into her ongoing journey, sharing a raw, unfinished world rarely seen by others.
After a little while, it can feel intriguing for visitors to distinguish the art from its surroundings. Everything — from the furniture to the leftover food and drinks laying around and the unfinished sketches — blends seamlessly into one larger, unified masterpiece.
Furthermore, Avetissian raises questions on an artist’s purpose, the role of the museum and the act of creating itself, existing in a space that is truly Mejtegh — in between ideas, places and possibilities. Mejtegh goes beyond the artist and art itself, delving into the human experience — a constant journey of change and transition.
The exhibition is open to the public in the Eagle gallery of the Center until March 30, 2025. If you happen to be in Cascade during the weekends, make sure to immerse yourself in this artistic experience!
Hena Aposhian
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