Dictation: Exhibition opening
2024
On November 1, at 19:00 the opening of the exhibition Dictation by Mila Harutyunyan and Margarita Atsvatatryan took place at the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Folk Art Museum.
The exhibition is part of the “Interconnection” open call organized by ICA and ArtNexus in July. This initiative aims to foster connections between Armenian museums, curators, and artists through joint projects. As one of the competition’s winners, É Collective is presenting the exhibition Dictation in collaboration with the Folk Art Museum.
About the Exhibition
Do we choose how to move, or are we dictated to? What actions to take? How to act in any situation? Is this truly you? Who am I? This work reflects the artists' perspectives on these questions. The sound installation weaves a carpet in the form of a labyrinth. Whether this carpet will remain incomplete or become whole is up to each viewer, but it requires effort to bring it together. Visitors are invited to "freely" choose between dictating and being dictated to, with opportunities to touch, create, listen, and act, where every seemingly small and imperceptible step or touch can lead to change.
About the Artists
É Collective was founded by Mila Harutyunyan and Margarita Atsvatatryan, two visionary artists committed to challenging and redefining traditional perceptions of art. Following several interactive performances blending experimental visuals and soundscapes, they are now expanding their work as a collective. With a strong mission, É Collective unites other bold and talented artists and friends across various disciplines, creating a dynamic platform for experimentation and collaboration. Their work aims to challenge conventions and explore new forms of artistic expression, systems, and ways of living.
About the Curator
Toma Aydinyan is a professional dancer and choreographer with over 20 years of experience in contemporary, experimental, modern, and improvisational styles. She has trained with over 15 choreographers worldwide, enriching her expertise. Throughout her career, she has been invited as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher in Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, Greece, and Kuwait. In 2019, she was a guest principal dancer with Compania Giardino Chiuso and Teatro Cantiere Florida, and choreographed for the ImpArt dance troupe in Germany. Her dance film Isolation won first place in the "Samokvaerexperiment" competition by Creative Armenia in 2020. In 2023-2024, she was a principal guest dancer with the Käfig dance troupe in France and continues to collaborate actively in music videos, fashion projects, concerts, and festivals.
The exhibition will be open until November 30.
The program is implemented with the support of the ArtNexus programme, which is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and managed by The Swedish Arts Grants Committee.