The Museum of Literature and Art has opened an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to the friendship between Sergei Parajanov and Marcos Grigorian. As part of the “Story of a Single Object” program, visitors can now view the beehive carpet that Sergei Parajanov gifted to Marcos Grigorian, symbolizing the strong connection and creative bond between these two legendary Armenian artists.
Marcos Grigorian was a renowned Armenian artist, celebrated as one of the founders of land art. Born in Kropotkin to an Armenian family that had emigrated from Kars, he grew up in Tehran, Iran, where he received his initial education. He continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, later returning to Iran to establish an art gallery and organize Tehran’s first biennale.
In 1993, Grigorian donated a significant portion of his art collection to Armenia, which formed the foundation of the Museum of Middle Eastern Art in Yerevan. His works have been showcased in leading museums worldwide, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, as well as galleries in Rome and Tehran.
In the fall of 1988, Sergei Parajanov attended the 26th New York International Film Festival with his film Ashik Kerib. During the festival, he met Marcos Grigorian, whose work in land art and other creative endeavors had made him an influential figure in the art world. Their meeting marked the beginning of a lasting friendship, symbolized by a unique gift.
Upon his return from New York, Parajanov sent Grigorian a beehive carpet, asking that the gesture remain a secret from the authorities. In response, Grigorian posed for a photo with the carpet draped over his shoulders and sent it back to Parajanov, confirming that the “secret” gift had safely arrived.
Museum director Suzanna Khojamiryan described the carpet as a testament to the bond between two towering figures of Armenian culture. She also noted that the exhibition includes clips from films featuring Grigorian, revealing new aspects of his multifaceted career.
The exhibition highlights Grigorian’s significant contributions not only in Iran’s cinematic arts but also in the broader cultural and artistic development of Armenia.