Presentation of Karen Balyan’s “Phoenix Darbinyan” Monograph (photos, video in Armenian)
Newmag Publishing House presents the first book in the scope of the “Hasratyan” book series of the Hasratyan-Minasyan foundation. The avant-garde of Armenian architecture is summarized in this monograph about Phoenix Darbinyan. The author of the book is p
Phoenix Darbinyan's rich creative path began with a water fountain, a small student project, and ended with the construction of the Great Fountain beautifying Yerevan. The first building was the "Ani" hotel, the last one was the building of the Metro department. According to professor Karen Balyan, the vast majority of Darbinyan’s works were not preserved. “It seems that a catastrophe has befallen the city and Darbinyan’s creations. Fountains and statues are in more or less good condition, but the fascinating Parvana is gone. His works were exceptional for the Soviet times.”
After the death of Phoenix Darbinyan, professor Karen Balyan published an article about the architect entitled " The architect who gave a smile to the city". The article was about the fountain in Khanjyan Street Park, the last major work of the Master. Eventually, the title of the article became the title of the book. The President of the Union of Architects Mkrtich Minasyan claims that due to the national awakening of the 1960s, the avant-garde of Armenian architecture was established. “He was super talented. At the same time, he was an extremely modest person.”
The programs of the Hasratyan-Minasyan foundation have two directions. The Hasratyan direction each year will publish a conceptual work dedicated to the Armenian architecture or paintings of the 20th century. Hrach Qeshishyan, the executive director of the foundation notes that the first book in this project is the monograph about Phoenix Darbinyan. “Grigor Hasratyan's heritage and work are connected with architecture and urban development. That is why the architecture of the 20th century was phenomenal not only in the Soviet Union.”
Many of Darbinyan’s creations were not preserved, but it is possible to find his breath everywhere in Yerevan. In the early 1950s, Kievyan, considered a suburb of Yerevan, became a central street in a few years. Phoenix Darbinyan was an essential participant of the large project, which reconstructed Kievyan. “The architect who gave a smile to the city was not involved in any intrigues. He was a bright character.”
The comprehensive monograph presents Phoenix Darbinyan's imagination and ambitions. Some of his drawings are published for the first time.
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