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May 2004 Hye Sharzhoom 3 Artist Dzerigian Looks for Success in the World of Painting Mitchell Peters Staff Writer When he speaks, you listen, when he paints, you respond, and when he smiles ,you have no choice but to smile back. This is the mystery behind Ronald Dzerigian and his art. In the heart of Fresno's Tower District sits a small coffee shop where Dzerigian relaxes drinking hot mint tea. He's trying to recover from a sore-throat and exhausting car drives back and forth from Los Angeles. He's dressed in a red hat with a Smokey the Bear logo, a brown corduroy jacket and a blue T-shirt that says, "Brooklyn needs more penguins." He's tired, but his eyes still show vibrancy and childlike innocence. As one of Fresno's most well- known and respected painters, Dzerigian reminisces on the past- week of preparing for his first formal gallery show in a big city. "I'msortofin limbo rightnow" Dzerigian said. In the last month he has painted morning and night in a downtown Fresno studio, sang with former Fresno band American Sloth, and charmed the many friends who worship the ground he walks on. He's excited, fatigued and anxious to get back to New York (his place of residence) so he can begin painting again. It's only a few days after the opening reception for his latest art exhibit, which features eight large paintings with the themes of backwards-written fortune cookie mes- Ronald Dzerigian sages and organic shapes taken from his own subconscious and random children's books. "I want you to feel as if you're standing behind it, or inside of it in a way." Dzerigian said. "I want people to feel like they're tiny inside of this big thing. Like a box of windows." In his fascination with fortune cookies, Dzerigian decided to combine his love of Chinese food with his artistic expression. "Ever since I was a little kid I'd save my fortune cookie messages," he said. Having almost 200 messages saved in storage and carrying more than 15 in his wallet, Dzerigian decided which messages he would use by remembering the situations in which he obtained the messages. "It's an age-old idea I've had," he said. Like his words, Dzerigian's art • Armenians on the Internet • Staff Web Address: www.zoryan.org Contact: zoryan@idirect.ca Categories: Genocide and Human Rights University Program, About Us, What's New, Publications, Books for Sale, Genocide, Turkish-Armenian Dialogue, Diaspora, Armenia, How You Can Help Brief Summary: The Zoryan Institute is an international center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to the history, politics, society, and culture of Armenia and Armenians around the world. Research is conducted both to document past and current events, and to analyze their impact on individuals and institutions in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Institute strives to develop a framework within which people can understand and participate in conceptualizing the critical and fundamental issues dealing with current and future challenges within a global context. Web Address: www.birthrightarmenia.org Contact: info@birthrightarmenia.org Categories: Birthright Armenia Applications, Program Offerings in Armenia, Acknowledgments Brief Summary: The mission of Birthright Armenia is "To strengthen the tie between homeland and Diaspora by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia's daily life and to contribute to Armenia's development through work, study, and volunteer experience, while developing life-long personal ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity." This web site provides information for individuals to participate in a variety of programs in Armenia. is very profound but with a simple message.His latest work,however, streams off from his normal creations . In the past Dzerigian' s work focused more on recycled materials, pieces of wood, and objects people have thrown away. "The paintings in this series are more like tapestries, whereas my paintings in the past were more like pieces of wall because they're on wood," Dzerigian said. In the artist's statement found on Ms website,Dzerigian says, "My approach is an intuitive one. The content of each painting or installation develops during the time that I am working and often references my childhood, our inherent sexuality, and/or everyday instances." The 27 year-oldBrooklyn-based artist left Fresno to pursue his dream of painting full-time almost a year ago. In that time, he has hung out with rock stars, worked several odd jobs and drank many cups of coffee. Dzerigian graduated from Fresno State in 2002 with a B A. in art, with plans to someday teach in the field of art. Later, he realized painting was the onething thatmade him happy. He has had gallery exhibitions in New York, at Fresno State and the Fresno Art Museum, where he also formerly worked. He says that being half Armenian and living in an Armenian community like Fresno, has played a large role in the development of his interests. While attending FresnoState,Dzerigian participated in Armenian Studies courses while writing poetry and painting. He has received much of his inspiration and drive by working in the Fresno Armenian community. Not only has it provided him with opportunities to display his art, but also his music and poetry. "Armenians are very driven people," Dzerigian said. "I learned that from my family and working with the Armenian poets." With a simplistic approach toward writing poetry, his work has been published in the first Armenian-American poetry anthology of the new millennium, Armenian Town, which was published by The William Saroyan Society and features current and former Fresno- based poets. Along with that, Dzerigian has participated in art shows throughout the Fresno c ommunity. In 2002, he exhibited paintings in "Four Generations: Armenian-American Artists in Fresno," atthe Fresno Art Museum, along with exhibits in the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, as well as several student art exhibitions at Fresno State. As a man of many artistic facets, Dzerigian has also played bass guitar in several rock bands around Fre sno including The Beautie s, The Sleepover Disaster and The Panty Lions. Although music is a strong passion of his, Dzerigian decided to focus his artistic vision in painting. "Painting combines music and poetry into one visual," Dzerigian said. "It combines all my enjoyment and pleasure into imagery." Dzerigian' s art is also influenced by the music he listens while painting. For his latest series, he listened to the music of his friends in the band Earlimart,Grandaddy andthe late Elliot Smith. He is able to see various shapes within music, which are then incorporated into his painted images. While taking a rest and staying with friends for the next month in Los Angeles, Dzerigian is anxious to start working again when he arrives back to New York. Although he hasn 't started thinking about his next project, his brain is always conjuring up ideas. His latest series was displayed at the Arte ore Brewery Annex in Los Angeles through April 29th. To find out more about Dzerigian' s work, visit his website at www .ronalddzerigian .c om. Support Hye Sharzhoom! The William Saroyan Society William Saroyan and His World Tuesday, May 4,2004 6:30 PM Admission is Free Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church 3673 N 1st Street • Fresno The William Saroyan Society will host guest speakers discussing William Saroyan and His World. The presentations will cover reminiscences, historical facts and perspectives on Saroyan's writing and life. Ben Amirkhanian (Chairman Emeritus of the William Saroyan Society) The William Saroyan Society's History Berge Bulbulian (Fresno author/historian) Fresno in the Time of Saroyan Barlow Der Mugrdechian (Armenian Studies Program) Saroyan the Writer Ed Hagopian (Writer and friend of Saroyan) Reminiscences and Recollections William Seacrest, Jr. (Fresno County California Collection Librarian and Book Collector) Collecting Saroyan The discussion is funded in part by the Community Enrichment Program of the Fresno Arts Council and is supported by the Fresno County Free Library.
Object Description
Title | 2004_05 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper May 2004 |
Alternative Title | Armenian Action, Vol. 25 No. 4 May 2004; Ethnic Supplement to the Collegian. |
Publisher | Armenian Studies Program, California State University, Fresno. |
Publication Date | 2004 |
Description | Published two to four times a year. The newspaper of the California State University, Fresno Armenian Students Organization and Armenian Studies Program. |
Subject | California State University, Fresno – Periodicals. |
Contributors | Armenian Studies Program; Armenian Students Organization, California State University, Fresno. |
Coverage | 1979-2014 |
Format | Newspaper print |
Technical Information | Scanned at 200-360 dpi, 18-bit greyscale - 24-bit color, TIFF or PDF. PDFs were converted to TIF using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro. |
Language | eng |
Description
Title | May 2004 Page 3 |
Full-Text-Search | May 2004 Hye Sharzhoom 3 Artist Dzerigian Looks for Success in the World of Painting Mitchell Peters Staff Writer When he speaks, you listen, when he paints, you respond, and when he smiles ,you have no choice but to smile back. This is the mystery behind Ronald Dzerigian and his art. In the heart of Fresno's Tower District sits a small coffee shop where Dzerigian relaxes drinking hot mint tea. He's trying to recover from a sore-throat and exhausting car drives back and forth from Los Angeles. He's dressed in a red hat with a Smokey the Bear logo, a brown corduroy jacket and a blue T-shirt that says, "Brooklyn needs more penguins." He's tired, but his eyes still show vibrancy and childlike innocence. As one of Fresno's most well- known and respected painters, Dzerigian reminisces on the past- week of preparing for his first formal gallery show in a big city. "I'msortofin limbo rightnow" Dzerigian said. In the last month he has painted morning and night in a downtown Fresno studio, sang with former Fresno band American Sloth, and charmed the many friends who worship the ground he walks on. He's excited, fatigued and anxious to get back to New York (his place of residence) so he can begin painting again. It's only a few days after the opening reception for his latest art exhibit, which features eight large paintings with the themes of backwards-written fortune cookie mes- Ronald Dzerigian sages and organic shapes taken from his own subconscious and random children's books. "I want you to feel as if you're standing behind it, or inside of it in a way." Dzerigian said. "I want people to feel like they're tiny inside of this big thing. Like a box of windows." In his fascination with fortune cookies, Dzerigian decided to combine his love of Chinese food with his artistic expression. "Ever since I was a little kid I'd save my fortune cookie messages," he said. Having almost 200 messages saved in storage and carrying more than 15 in his wallet, Dzerigian decided which messages he would use by remembering the situations in which he obtained the messages. "It's an age-old idea I've had," he said. Like his words, Dzerigian's art • Armenians on the Internet • Staff Web Address: www.zoryan.org Contact: zoryan@idirect.ca Categories: Genocide and Human Rights University Program, About Us, What's New, Publications, Books for Sale, Genocide, Turkish-Armenian Dialogue, Diaspora, Armenia, How You Can Help Brief Summary: The Zoryan Institute is an international center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to the history, politics, society, and culture of Armenia and Armenians around the world. Research is conducted both to document past and current events, and to analyze their impact on individuals and institutions in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Institute strives to develop a framework within which people can understand and participate in conceptualizing the critical and fundamental issues dealing with current and future challenges within a global context. Web Address: www.birthrightarmenia.org Contact: info@birthrightarmenia.org Categories: Birthright Armenia Applications, Program Offerings in Armenia, Acknowledgments Brief Summary: The mission of Birthright Armenia is "To strengthen the tie between homeland and Diaspora by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia's daily life and to contribute to Armenia's development through work, study, and volunteer experience, while developing life-long personal ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity." This web site provides information for individuals to participate in a variety of programs in Armenia. is very profound but with a simple message.His latest work,however, streams off from his normal creations . In the past Dzerigian' s work focused more on recycled materials, pieces of wood, and objects people have thrown away. "The paintings in this series are more like tapestries, whereas my paintings in the past were more like pieces of wall because they're on wood," Dzerigian said. In the artist's statement found on Ms website,Dzerigian says, "My approach is an intuitive one. The content of each painting or installation develops during the time that I am working and often references my childhood, our inherent sexuality, and/or everyday instances." The 27 year-oldBrooklyn-based artist left Fresno to pursue his dream of painting full-time almost a year ago. In that time, he has hung out with rock stars, worked several odd jobs and drank many cups of coffee. Dzerigian graduated from Fresno State in 2002 with a B A. in art, with plans to someday teach in the field of art. Later, he realized painting was the onething thatmade him happy. He has had gallery exhibitions in New York, at Fresno State and the Fresno Art Museum, where he also formerly worked. He says that being half Armenian and living in an Armenian community like Fresno, has played a large role in the development of his interests. While attending FresnoState,Dzerigian participated in Armenian Studies courses while writing poetry and painting. He has received much of his inspiration and drive by working in the Fresno Armenian community. Not only has it provided him with opportunities to display his art, but also his music and poetry. "Armenians are very driven people," Dzerigian said. "I learned that from my family and working with the Armenian poets." With a simplistic approach toward writing poetry, his work has been published in the first Armenian-American poetry anthology of the new millennium, Armenian Town, which was published by The William Saroyan Society and features current and former Fresno- based poets. Along with that, Dzerigian has participated in art shows throughout the Fresno c ommunity. In 2002, he exhibited paintings in "Four Generations: Armenian-American Artists in Fresno," atthe Fresno Art Museum, along with exhibits in the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, as well as several student art exhibitions at Fresno State. As a man of many artistic facets, Dzerigian has also played bass guitar in several rock bands around Fre sno including The Beautie s, The Sleepover Disaster and The Panty Lions. Although music is a strong passion of his, Dzerigian decided to focus his artistic vision in painting. "Painting combines music and poetry into one visual," Dzerigian said. "It combines all my enjoyment and pleasure into imagery." Dzerigian' s art is also influenced by the music he listens while painting. For his latest series, he listened to the music of his friends in the band Earlimart,Grandaddy andthe late Elliot Smith. He is able to see various shapes within music, which are then incorporated into his painted images. While taking a rest and staying with friends for the next month in Los Angeles, Dzerigian is anxious to start working again when he arrives back to New York. Although he hasn 't started thinking about his next project, his brain is always conjuring up ideas. His latest series was displayed at the Arte ore Brewery Annex in Los Angeles through April 29th. To find out more about Dzerigian' s work, visit his website at www .ronalddzerigian .c om. Support Hye Sharzhoom! The William Saroyan Society William Saroyan and His World Tuesday, May 4,2004 6:30 PM Admission is Free Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church 3673 N 1st Street • Fresno The William Saroyan Society will host guest speakers discussing William Saroyan and His World. The presentations will cover reminiscences, historical facts and perspectives on Saroyan's writing and life. Ben Amirkhanian (Chairman Emeritus of the William Saroyan Society) The William Saroyan Society's History Berge Bulbulian (Fresno author/historian) Fresno in the Time of Saroyan Barlow Der Mugrdechian (Armenian Studies Program) Saroyan the Writer Ed Hagopian (Writer and friend of Saroyan) Reminiscences and Recollections William Seacrest, Jr. (Fresno County California Collection Librarian and Book Collector) Collecting Saroyan The discussion is funded in part by the Community Enrichment Program of the Fresno Arts Council and is supported by the Fresno County Free Library. |