Modern Art Museum — Attraction in Yerevan

Modern Art Museum was established in 1972 by the art critic Henrik Igityan, who was the director of the museum for 37 years. H. Igityan received a great support from the mayor of Yerevan of those years Grigor Hasratyan, as well as from the best Armenian artists of 1960s.

As a specialized museum of contemporary and modern art it became the first in the Soviet Union. For further 20 years it was unique modern art center in the above mentioned region. It became a favorite place for tourists and official guests of Yerevan. The first exposition was compiled of the works of the artists of 1960s both from Armenia and Diaspora, who have kindly donated their works to the museum.

The existence of the monopoly of the socialist realism in the Soviet Union prohibited modern art in all its expressions. Therefore, no financial assistance was provided by the Government of Armenia and museum was opened thanks to the artists' donations.

The works of the generation of 1960s, in particular, Minas Avetisian, Ashot Hovhannisian, Martin Petrosian, Hakob Hakobian, Gayane Khachaturian, Vruyr Galstian, Henry and Robert Elibekyans, Harutyun Galents, Rudolf Khachatrian, Ashot Bayandour today also are the main axis of the museum exhibit.

Later on the exposition was fulfilled with the works of the younger generation, the generation of 1980s: Sargis Hamalbashian, Arthur and Ararat Sargsians, Marine Dilanian, Albert Hakobian, Samvel Baghdasarian, Arevik Arevshatian, Ruben Grigorian, Kamo Nigarian, Armen Gevorgian, Tigran Matulian, Teni Vardanian, Gabriel Manoukian, Nina Kchemchyan, Ayvaz Avoyan etc.

In 2004 an American philanthropist Grigor Mouradian presented to the museum paintings and sculpture by Emil Kazaz, and in 2010 Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine bought for the museum sculptures by Garen Bedrossian from Canada.

All the above mentioned artists are enjoying a great reputation today not only in Armenia but also abroad, where they are often invited for solo exhibitions.

The publishing activity of the staff of the museum led by Henrik Igityan deserves a special attention. Recently were published series of albums, such as "Kochar", "Alexandre Bazhbeuk-Melikian"," From Hovnatanian to Minas", "Museum", "Armenian palette I"," Armenian palette II", "Minas Avetisian", "Vruir Galstian", "Ashot Hovhannisian", "Modern Art Museum", as well as individual catalogs of the artists of 1980s.

Today Modern Art Museum, as usual, is waiting for its visitors, who along with the visual acquaintance with Armenian modern art pieces can also get professional comments in Armenian, Russian and foreign languages.

Since foundation, the Museum was visited by many famous and popular personalities. All of them mentioned the fact that the museum has its own face, its original view at the world which makes it different from the many museums of the same kind. Among the visitors were the academician, director of Hermitage Boris Piotrovsky, writer Chingiz Aytmatov, Italian poet, writer and screenwriter Tonino Guerra, Mexican painter David Alfaro Sikeyros, Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni, the Italian artist Renato Guttuzo, director of Bohum museum Peter Shpilman, as well as, William Saroyan, Tigran Mansuryan, Aghasi Ayvazian, etc.

The importance of the existence of the Museum was mentioned by a famous Russian art critic Alexander Kamenski in 1979: "... From the very beginning, the museum was a utopian idea. The initiators had neither a building for their exposition, nor the resources to buy art-works. They had, however, something more important and valuable. They believe that it is indispensable for Armenia to see and understand the new image of its...

Extremely cool art. Good to spend a couple hours here. I like how they had the option to pay a little bit more and be able to take pictures, it is nice to show my family and friends they intresting art displayed in the gallery. I found there was a large variety of new and old pieces of art work, as well as a variety of different styles of art work. I found it a little difficult to find the entrance-- even using Google maps, I think they could mark the building the little big better. Other then that enjoyed my experience and would suggest for...

Worth a visit. This is a nice little museum. Entrance is 500 drams (500 extra if you want to take pictures) and it will probably keep you busy for 30 minutes / 45 minutes, depending on your interest. Interesting is the fact that it was self funded - due to lack of interest in the topic during Soviet times - and as such one of first modern art museum in the region. In that perspective, it is an institution for Armenian artists. International visitors might not know most of the artists displayed here but the quality of body of...