Eternity Ornament

Vahe H. Apelian

 

A few days ago, I received a surprised gift from National Association of Armenian Studies and  Research (NAASR). The eminent Armenian studies and research center has sent to its members an ornament as a token of their appreciation and thanks. The gift is a replica of the art work the award winning Armenian American artist Michael Aram made for NAASR.  The ornamental replica is called Eternity Ornament. 

What attracted my attention to the ornament was the artist's depiction of LAUREL LEAVES in the eternity metal art work.

Two brochures accompanied the piece in its black colored box. On one  of them, the  the following is noted: Eternity is inspired by the rich heritage and artistic traditions of Armenian culture. In crafting this piece, Michael was inspired by the idea of eternity and how it related to NAASR’s mission to safeguard and preserve Armenian culture and heritage.

Michael, in turn elaborates noting that "In this piece, the circle is a reflection of eternity, having no beginning or end. The vines that surround the outer ring form a repeating figure-eight shapes, suggest the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The LAUREL LEAVES, an evergreen, are a classical symbol of victory and eternal life. At the center of is a flower - the iconic symbol of  everlasting celestial life found at the center of Armenian crosses. This flower with clockwise pedals bending towards the future, is a symbol of enduring progression and boundless energy of Armenian Culture.”

The other brochure is about the artist. I quote:

“ Michael Aram is an award-winning American artist who has dedicated his career to craft-based designs. Inspired by a trip to India at age 25, he established a second home and studio there, where he continues to draw creative inspiration today.

Trained as a painter, sculptor, and art historian, Michael has neatly applied his diverse background to the decorative arts. Lyrical and often witty, his work encompasses a wide range of media and reveals a rich and variant source of inspiration - nature, mythology, narrative storytelling, and purified form. Michael’s work is also a celebration of craft and age-old hand working traditions. It is the enduring fusion of these ideals - originality, narrative, and craftsmanship - that become the hallmark of this gifted artist.

A deep love for handmade process is at the core of everything Michael makes. Fascinated with the richness of the living crafts tradition which he discovered on his first trip to Delhi, Michael would seek out craftsmen in the old city by listening for sound of metal being beaten and by searching for the aroma of baked molasses, a signal of the sand-casting process. The artisans he encountered were making ordinary objects such as buckets, shovels, and scissors, but for Michael, their traditional techniques were extraordinary. Michael spent hours observing artisans as they made things the same way families had made them for centuries.  Touched by the talent and humility of these gifted artisans, Michael set up a studio in India where he has created his work for over 30 years. Today, over 200 artisans work alongside him in his workshop where the same creative interaction between artist and artisan remains the source of every object that Michael makes.

Michael is highly inspired by his surroundings and often makes sculptures of objects that might otherwise be overlooked in the everyday. Nature is his biggest muse, as is the handmade process. His work combines the imperfections innate to the handmade process with the perfectly imperfect beauty of nature to create objects that reflect humanity. Many of his pieces are ingrained with a rich storyline, inherent symbolism, and deep-rooted meaning. Sometimes his work is simply and exploration and celebration of the handmade process.”

Courtesy Kenneth P. Martin Photography

As to the original art work - the picture above - I quote from NAASR’s website. 

“ The exquisite Eternity sculpture featured in the Eternity Garden in front of NAASR’s headquarter was created by acclaimed artist Michael Aram. Fabricated in bronze, this site specific 7-foot by 7-foot sculpture was  gift of the artist on the occasion of the opening of the NAASR Vartan Gregorian building in November 2019.”

As I had noted earlier, what attracted my attention is the artist’s depiction of LAUREL LEAVES in the Eternity sculpture, Kessabtsis call Gasli leaves. Those interested may read my reflection on the indomitable Laurel tree, the famed Gasli of Kessab by clicking on the attached link: http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2021/11/in-praise-of-gasli-tree_97.html