Remain in light: visions of homeland and diaspora

Abstract

"This book complements an exhibition of photographs at the Fowler Museum at UCLA (June 11-October 15, 2023) that endeavored to visualize the contemporary Armenian experience in the homeland and in Los Angeles-home to the largest Armenian population in diaspora. The first wave of immigrants came to California in the late 1800s ; the second was spurred by the Armenian genocide of 1915; further Armenian migrants-from Soviet Armenia, the Middle East, Iran, and other countries-continue to find solace, pride, and connection in the traditions, customs, religion, language, and memories they brought with them. Sossi Madzounian, Ara Mgrdichian, and Ara Oshagan-three diaspora-born Armenian artists living in Los Angeles-shared their perspectives on the life of their people in the old world and the new, illuminating the evolving social fabric of Armenian life: survival in the homeland, the immigrant experience in diaspora, the rebirth of Armenian Americans on new soil. This book pairs their photographs with poems by Los Angeles-based poets Tina Demirdjian, Arminé Iknadossian, Arthur Kayzakian, Shahé Mankerian, and Raffi Joe Wartanian. The volume is a tribute to all these artists, and to Armenians across the globe"-- Provided by publisher.