Light of soul vs. gaping maw
Throughout his life, Van Khachatur, the founder of contemporary monumental art in Armenia, has tried to prove that Armenian art is comparable to, and in many respects, superior to European values.
Khachatur has opened a museum of his paintings in the basement of his house. When all were forced to paint Lenin and Stalin, he portrayed the original ideas. Some of his works, including the two sculptures in the Tsitsernakaberd memorial were destroyed as a result.
"It was supposed to be a 100-meter sculpture portraying a funeral procession to the cemetery. In 1971, they ordered me to change the theme but I disobeyed them. Nobody was allowed to speak about the Genocide for 50 years. The sculpture was finally destroyed in 2003 by the order of Razmik Davoyan," said. Van Khachatur.
Khachatur has designed the model of future cities which are built on hills and have no transportation.
The artist falls ill if he sits idle. Bright colors and light are dominant in his works which arouse joy and gaiety among viewers.
In Sarian's paintings you can see the light reaching the planet from the sun. In my paintings the light comes from the soul of man," said the artist.
During the 60 years of his activity, Khachatur has created 5 series of graphic panels and 2600 pieces of art.
Recently, he started to depict the 20th century in the form of inhuman robots. In this world there is no mercy, and its gaping maw can swallow up the planet in an instant.
The professor gets a monthly salary of 46,150 drams.
