Description
Although women’s roles in society have evolved immensely throughout the centuries, they still differ vastly among different cultures and countries. Christina Cherekdjian, a young Armenian living in America, is interested in studying women in their everyday realities in present day Armenia. Her vision is to document women of all ages, socioeconomic statuses, and rural and urban environments through photography with the help of other young diasporan women. Christina hopes that these photos will be able to help educate, and spark interest and dialogue about modern day roles of women in Armenia’s society.
Photos from her cultural experiment will be showcased at an art exhibit that will travel throughout Armenia and the United States allowing Christina to share her thoughts and discoveries for one year. The exhibit will be hung in museums, art galleries and school throughout Armenia to help launch a discussion about women’s roles in Armenia.
Gallery Images
Christina Cherekdjian, project spearheaded, discusses her interest in issues effecting women and how that prompted her to initiate this important project.
Photo an elderly woman in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
A photo of two friends enjoying their day in Dilijan from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
A grandmother and her granddaughter in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
Two elderly women making Lavash in Oshakan from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
Young girl performing a traditional Armenia dance in Vanadzor from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
Dance class in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.
One of the doctors from the Kurtan Village Medical Center from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.The Need
A study of women in Armenia is well overdue. It is through discussion and education that people learn about themselves and evolve and improve their existence. This project can help spark great interest in this topic and create discussions that can inform positive cultural changes for women in Armenia.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, Christina and her team will be given cameras and grant funding in order to complete a photo study of women in Armenia’s society. In addition, an art exhibit will be held in the United States and Armenia, allowing Christina to share her findings, discoveries, and thoughts. The exhibit in Armenia will travel throughout several towns and villages. Furthermore, the local economy will receive a boost due to the printing of the photos in Armenia.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, the photo exhibit will tour Armenia and the United States for a year’s period. This project will continue to inform and educate Armenian women, both in Armenia and the diaspora and help bring upon change and advancement.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors towards this project will be recognized on the The Paros Foundation’s website and in appropriate related press regarding this project.
Updates: Images & Information
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit made its way to the Vanadzor Fine Arts Museum for its final showcasing of its year-long tour throughout Armenia. Our ‪SERVICE Armenia 2015‬ group will be visiting soon to see the exhibit. The exhibit will be available upon request for further art exhibits in Armenia and the US.
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is being showcased at The Green Bean Coffee Shop on Amiryan Street in Yerevan, Armenia.
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The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is being showcased at Christina Cherekdjian’s school, Notre Dame High School in San Francisco, where she has been asked to speak about her peers about the journey in putting this project together. The photos will also be exhibited at St. Andrews Armenia Church also in the San Francisco Bay Area right after.
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The exhibit,comprised of more than 40 large format photographs, begins its tour at the Narekatsi Art Center in Armenia where it will be for the next week.
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On July 23, Christina Cherekdjian’s project came to life with the opening of the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit in Yerevan, Armenia. Her interest in women’s issues prompted her to apply and win a grant through her school to initiate this important project. The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is comprised of a series of photographs taken by Christina and several of her peers during The Paros Foundation’s SERVICE-Armenia 2014 trip this summer.
Our Donors (1)
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Ms. Christina Cherekdjian