Tzolag Hovsepian: “Familiar Faces” – “Հարազատ Դէմքեր”

Reviewed by: Vahe H. Apelian

 

Admittedly it was a late purchase. Tzolag Hovsepian’s photo book was printed in 2013 in Los Angeles and was presented to the public, with the traditional toasting the occasion with wine, in September of the same year. The event was held under the auspices Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the prelate of the Western U.S., and was organized by Asbarez Newspaper and Sardarabad bookstore. Its only a few days ago that I received my copy from the few remaining in the bookstore.

The photo book, not to call it a mere album, is a coffee table size. It measures 9.5 x 13 inches and is 208 pages long. It starts with a dedication “To the builders of the state of Armenia and to the freedom fighters” and is followed by the photographer Tzolag Hovsepian thanking those who collaborated as the editorial board members and financially supported the publication of this expensive album containing some over 300 colored photographs printed on quality paper. The sponsors are: Mr & Mrs: Vache and Lena Fermanian, Garo and Sossi Eshgian, Zareh and Seta Markarian, Vicken and Nora Hovsepian, Vicken and Lucine Hovsepian, Isahag and Janet Kazanjian, Vahe and Hasmig Hovagimian, Garo and Vicky Kurkjian, Hagop and Sona Chopourian, Varant and Tamar Melkonian, Souren and Tamar Garabedian, Noris and Anahid Sarkissian, Dr. Albert Karamanougian, and Koko Topalian.

The photographs are introduced with a bilingual reflection by the editorial titling it: “The “Why” and “How” of the Album”, and also about the photographer Tzolag, who also reflects on his photography.

 The introduction is followed by the preface consisting of testimonials and the correspondence Tzolag Hovsepian has had with the famous photographer Youssed Karsh.

The photographs of the Tzolag Hovsepian’s familiar faces begin on page 27 and end on page 184, totaling, give a take a photograph or two, 316 photographs, “from the thousands before us, each more moving than the other”, the editorial board noted. They are mostly in color and overwhelmingly are of those who have left us for good after having served the nation honorably.

Subsequent to the photographs of the individuals, in a section titled “Tzolag Hovsepian In Intimacy With Legends” depict pictures of the Tzolag with others in a group setting. This section starts from page 187 and end on page 208, totaling 41 photographs give and take one or two.

Tzolag Hovsepian with two friends

Many of the photographs do not bear his name. Some of them are familiar, such as Antranig Zarougian posed leaning against a railing on a coastal boulevard in Beirut. The photograph does not bear Tzolag's name, much like many others. Had it not been for this album, the photographer would have remained unknown. Tsolag claims that these photographs belong to the nation and he claims no ownership.

 Tzolag Hovsepian was born in Baghdad on February 18, 1918. Along with his youthful academic education he has remained fascinated with cameras. In 1945 with his brother, he set up a studio on one of Baghdad’s main thoroughfares and  ran it for the next 27 years making the studio not only a reputable institution where who's who would gravitate to be photographed but also an Armenian community hub.

Throughout those years and thereafter, the camera has remained his steadfast companion be it in Iraq, Lebanon, France, Armenia, Artsakh and the U.S. where he immigrated due to the political situation in Iraq. Wherever he has been, a camera has always accompanied him, the editorial board noted. He thus "immortalized not himself, but those celebrities, artists, and national figures who have crossed his path”, the editorial board noted.

My youthful impression of him is from those years when he stayed in Hotel Lux while visiting Lebanon from Iraq. I have not met him in person since those days, for the past sixty years or so, but he has remained etched in my memory as a handsome, energetic, Clark Cable look alike.  Recently, when I called me him, I was surprised to learn that not only he remembered my parents well, but through the years, from his large social network, he had amassed up to date information, not only about my parents but also  about me. Looking at his picture in the album, I realize that my youthful impressions of the handsome, charismatic and a lively man was right on the money! How else to explain the sharp mind of a 103-year-old man who not only is a pleasant conversationalist who, as his friends attest, likes to call them to chat and to reminisce.

The editorial board rightfully notes that "The publication of this album is underpinned by two wishes: First that this will be the inaugural edition in a series of albums to come; and second, that Tzolag Hovsepian will one day put his experiences, his unique narrative, into words. This would undoubtedly give us a more complete understanding of the tableau that represents the most unique meeting points of persons and personalities made possible by Tzolag Hovsepian’s unparalleled lens.”"

Editorial Board:
Center Tsolag Hovsepian
LtoR; Zareh Markarian, Garo Eshgian, George Adourian, Sarkis Mahserejian
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Cover Conceptualization: George Adourian
Book Layout: Hovig Mahserejian
Printer: "Hay Kir" «Հայ Գիր»