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10/22/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenian President Arrives in Georgia 2) Vatican, Chief Rabbinate Slam Assault on Armenian Patriarch 3) Republican House Members Praised for Powerful Support on Key Initiatives 4) Russia Reopens South Caucasus Border 5) First Convention of European Armenians Huge Success 6) New Homenetmen Regional Executive Committee 7) Congressman Schiff Accepting Applications for House Page Program 8) Bike-A-Thon Energizes Armenian Countryside 9) Maro Gorky Exhibition to Premiere in Los Angeles 1) Armenian President Arrives in Georgia TBILISI (Civil Georgia/Interfax)--President Robert Kocharian arrived in Georgia for an official three-day visit on Friday, and immediately met with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili near the Sadakhlo checkpoint on the border of the two countries for preliminary talks. "We have discussed bilateral economic ties, cooperation in transport sector...as well as cooperation between the law enforcement agencies," Kocharian said. The two Presidents have also discussed the issue of restoration of the railway connection in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia, which will enable landlocked Armenia to restore its railway link with its strategic partner Russia. "Restoration of the railway will be favorable not only for us, but for Georgia as well. But it is Georgia's prerogative to deal with this issue," Kocharian added. Late Friday, the presidents traveled to Tbilisi, where they will hold more in-depth closed-door talks. During his visit, President Kocharian will also meet with Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, and Catholicos of All Georgia Ilya II. Kocharian is also expected to meet with representatives of the Armenian community in Tbilisi. The latest census conducted in 2002 suggests that Georgia has a population of 4.371 million, of which 250,000 are Armenians. 2) Vatican, Chief Rabbinate Slam Assault on Armenian Patriarch VATICAN (Haaretz)--The Holy See and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel this week issued a joint condemnation of an assault on the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, when he was spat at by a yeshiva student in the Old City. In a joint statement released in Rome, the Vatican and the Chief Rabbinate called on religious authorities to publicly protest actions of disrespect toward religious persons, symbols and holy sites. The statement gave as an example "the desecration of cemeteries and the recent assault on the Armenian archbishop." The statement also calls on all the relevant authorities to respect the "sacred character of Jerusalem and to prevent overt and immodest actions which offend the sensibilities of religious communities that reside in Jerusalem and hold her dear." The joint declaration came at the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Catholic and Jewish officials in Grottaferrata, south of Rome, constituting the fourth dialogue session since June 2002 between the Holy See and the Chief Rabbinate. The discussions this time were focused on Judeo-Christian beliefs regarding social justice and ethical behavior. Previous sessions have concentrated on the dignity of man, the value of human life and the family, and the importance of scripture for contemporary society. 3) Republican House Members Praised for Powerful Support on Key Initiatives ANCA cites role of Rep. Knollenberg, Radanovich and others in advancing Armenian issues on Capitol Hill WASHINGTON, DC--The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) cited key House Republicans for their leadership on a wide range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community, including support for Armenian genocide reaffirmation, strengthening US-Armenia economic relations, and ensuring parity in US military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan. "We appreciate the leadership and value the support of the many Congressional Republicans who have consistently taken a principled stand on fundamental issues of concern to the Armenian American community," stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In the coming 109th Congress, we look forward to working with these friends and with all Members committed to expanding US-Armenia relations, continuing US assistance, ensuring proper US recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and securing a lasting and equitable resolution to the Karabagh conflict." Republican House Members including Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Genocide Resolution lead sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA), Michigan Freshman Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, Indiana Republican Mark Souder (R-IN) and California Freshman Devin Nunes have been awarded an "A+" rating by the ANCA, based on a series of over 25 grading criteria, ranging from support on key legislation to the cosigning of over a dozen Congressional letters. A complete listing of Congressional grades will be posted on the ANCA website--<; the upcoming days. The specific achievements of each of the "A+" Republican House Members are cited below. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI): Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair since 2001, Rep. Knollenberg has consistently received an "A+" grade from the ANCA. A senior member of the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee, the Michigan legislator has continuously supported high levels of US assistance to Armenia and Karabagh, and fought to maintain military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In remarks delivered at the 10th annual ANCA Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill in April of 2004, Rep. Knollenberg spoke about Administration efforts to reduce assistance to Armenia. "There is no reason in the world why Armenia has to get stiff-armed, has to get stuck at a lower number. We will continue to scrap and claw and fight our way [in Congress] to make sure Armenia does get what it deserves," explained Knollenberg. During this Congressional term, Rep. Knollenberg was the lead sponsor of legislation to permanently normalize US-Armenia trade relations (H.R.528). The legislation, which currently has 113 cosponsors, was adopted as part of a larger trade measure in the House and awaits final Senate approval. Rep. Knollenberg is also an original cosponsor of the genocide resolution, H.Res.193. George Radanovich (R-CA): Throughout his years in the House, Rep. Radanovich has played a leadership role in genocide reaffirmation efforts, first leading a successful effort in 1996 to cut $3 million in US assistance to Turkey, a symbolic amount representing the amount allocated by the Government of Turkey for genocide denial lobbying activities in the US. During the current 108th Congress, Rep. Radanovich was joined by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg, and California Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA) in advancing the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). The legislation, which marks the 15th anniversary of the US implementation of the Genocide Convention, was unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary Committee in May, 2003, and currently has 111 cosponsors. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI): A freshman Congressman from Michigan, Rep. McCotter has consistently supported Congressional letters and legislation dealing with Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. In October 2003, he questioned a pro-Turkish panel of witnesses testifying before the House International Relations Subcommittee on Europe about Turkey's ongoing obstruction of Armenia-Turkey relations. Rep. McCotter, who was among the first to join the Congressional Armenian Caucus on taking office in January of 2003, has also been outspoken in his support for US aid to Armenia and Karabagh. Mark Souder (R-IN): With an "A+" grade in the last two Congressional terms, Rep. Souder has been among the most consistent supporters of Armenian American concerns, cosigning almost every Congressional letter in support of US assistance to Armenia and Armenian genocide reaffirmation. In February of 2003, Rep. Souder participated in the "Pro-Armenia" Conference held in Paris, which brought together executive and legislative branch officials from countries around the world to discuss efforts to strengthen the political and economic future of Armenia. In an interview with the "Armenian Weekly" following the Conference, Rep. Souder commented that a highlight of the Conference for him was "the opportunity to meet Armenians from around the world, understanding the diversity of opinions of those of the Diaspora and yet their unity on the central importance of Armenian Genocide, and the economic potential of an Armenia based upon free market principles." Devin Nunes (R-CA): Rep. Nunes received an "A+" rating during his first term in Congress for cosponsoring the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193) and legislation normalizing US-Armenia trade relation (H.R.528), and co-signing a series of letters in support of US assistance to Armenia and Karabagh. Representing constituents in California's Central Valley, Rep. Nunes has worked closely with the ANC chapter in the Fresno area. Other House Republicans in the highest tier of support for Armenian American concerns include Representatives Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Edward Royce (R-CA), and John Sweeney (R-NY), all of whom received an "A" from the ANCA. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Duke Cunningham (R-CA), James Saxton (R-NJ), and Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) received an "A-" rating for their leadership on Genocide affirmation efforts. To review the specific records of all House and Senate members on each of the ANCA rating criteria, visit the ANCA Election 2004 section: <; lection_overview.asp 4) Russia Reopens South Caucasus Border [Excerpts] OSSETIA (RFE-RL)--Russia reopened its border with Georgia and Azerbaijan on Friday, ending a nearly two-month transport embargo that severed one of Armenia's main supply lines. "Starting from today, Verkhny Lars is open to both international cargo and passenger traffic," Anatoly Dryukov, the Russian ambassador to Armenia, said, referring to the main Russian-Georgian border crossing on the Caucasus mountain range. The lifting of the blockade came two days after a phone conversation between Presidents Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said on Thursday that it took place at Kocharian's request but gave no details. Armenian officials said earlier that Kocharian has repeatedly raised the negative impact of the border closing with Putin. They said the phone talks between the two leaders were instrumental in the brief reopening of the Verkhny Lars crossing earlier this month. The move allowed hundreds of Armenian trucks, personal cars and buses stranded on its Russian side for more than a month to cross into Georgia and reach Armenia. The checkpoint handles up to a quarter of Armenia's commercial exchange with or through Russia. Its closure particularly hit small and medium-sized Armenian businesses involved in import and export. In a related move, the Georgian authorities let in Thursday dozens of Armenian vehicles stranded on another major Russian-Georgian border crossing that passes through Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia. They were due to reach Armenia on Friday. The Caucasus Press news agency quoted Georgian officials as describing the move as a gesture of good will. 5) First Convention of European Armenians Huge Success European and Armenian Leaders Discuss Issues of Importance to Armenians in the EU BRUSSELSThe First Convention of European Armenians, organized by the European Armenian Federation on October 18 and 19 was a great success, drawing more than two hundred European citizens of Armenian origin and many European officials. The participants, who included leaders of various organizations and concerned individuals from sixteen countries, attended the debates organized within the framework of three sessions dedicated to the Armenian culture and identity in Europe, the relations between the European Union and Armenia, and the challenges of EU Enlargement. In addition to the many European and Armenian officials, religious dignitaries representing the two Catholicoses of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one civil representative of the Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church participated in the Convention, as well as Armenia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruben Shugarian. During his welcoming speech, Chairman of the United Left Group (GUE) Francis Wurtz, the inviting party, declared, "regarding the Armenian question, GUE has always supported Armenian claims not only within the context of the right to remembrance and dignity, but also in accordance with a peoples' right to self-determination." The Convention covered many issues, from the European Commission's New Neighborhood Policy, to the question of protection and development of the Armenian language in the diaspora. During the second session, the ambassador of Armenia to the European Union Vicken Tchitetchian, presented the medal of Mkhitar Gosh, one of the highest official distinctions made by the Armenian Republic, to Italian Senator and Former member of the European Parliament Demetrio Volcic. Apart from sessions, meetings were organized between national delegations from different countries and their permanent representation to the European Union, as well as the European Parliament's Presidency. The Convention concluded with the adoption of the Charter that the Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation Hilda Tchoboian, presented to a panel of journalists during the final press conference. On the much anticipated topic of Turkey's candidacy to the European Union, Tchoboian declared, "Turkey expressed through the Genocide of the Armenian peoplethe very people who represented the values of enlightenment within the Ottoman Empireits rejection of European modernity." She warned European Union leaders against the integration of a State that persists to express that rejection of European values through its policy of denial and that through its attitude "threatens the regional stability and the right to security and life of the Armenian people." Reminding that "in the eyes of International law and its practice, today's Turkey remains responsible for this genocide as a successor State," she concluded that we cannot "artificially bring a people into modernity by using external constraints." All documents related to the Convention, and particularly the Charter, will be soon published on the European Armenian Federation's website: 6) New Homenetmen Regional Executive Committee Representatives from Homenetmen chapters throughout the Western US Region gathered at the Montebello Armenian Center on October 8-10, to conduct the Organization's 26th Regional Representatives Meeting. The Regional Representatives Meeting takes place at least once every two years. During this weekend, the Regional Executive Committee provided a report of its bi-annual activities to the elected representatives of the Region's Chapters. Chapter representatives are based on membership. This year's meeting had 112 elected representatives and some 30 invited guests. Present at the meeting were Homenetmen Central Executive Committee members Manuel Marselian and Mher Tavitian, as well as ARF Central Committee representative Hagop Tufenkjian. The special executive, elected by the representatives to run the three day meeting, were two chairmen, Raffi Sarkissian and Garo Ispendjian, along with four secretaries. After the presentation of the bi-annual report, the Regional Executive Committee presented its collective resignation. The meeting attendees proceeded to ask the resigning Executive Committee questions about the bi-annual report to better comprehend the scope of Homenetmen's activities and programs. Saturday morning, Viggen Tavitian, Chairman of the resigning Regional Executive Committee, answered the questions asked the evening before. Thereafter, meeting participants were given the opportunity to express their opinion regarding the work of the past Regional Executive. This portion of the meeting was particularly interesting since it served as an opportunity for those members closest to the Organization to offer their honest assessment. While most remarks commended the resigning Board for their hard work, innovations, and vision, some condoned certain activities and the lack of effort in particular areas. It is constructive criticism such as this that allows Homenetmen to take stock of itself and continue to improve. The remainder of Saturday was spent working on motions and suggestions to help develop the agenda for the coming two years. Meeting participants separated into specialized committees to review motions which, only on passing in committee, were discussed at the full session of the Regional Representatives Meeting. Among the most talked about topics were the continuous enhancements for educational programs and the required focus for development at the Chapter level. The weekend appeared to also serve as an opportunity for Homenetmen's leadership to once again bond together. Given that the attendees are geographically spread out most of the year, they are always excited to take advantage of get togethers such as this to not only collectively work towards the betterment of Homenetmen, but catch up socially as well. The meeting reached its final stage Sunday morning. Nominations were made for the new Regional Executive Committee and voted on. With the election of every new committee, there always seems to be a sense of promise. The Homenetmen Regional Executive Committee of 20022004 certainly did its part to ensure the continuing success of the Organization. Faced with what often seemed like insurmountable challenges, they hedged forward and made sure we still had an unprecedented Regional Jamboree, a revival among the scouting ranks, two magnificent Navasartian Games and many more accomplishments. It is worth taking the time to once again acknowledge the members of the 20022004 Homenetmen Western US Regional Executive, their Scouting and Athletic Councils, all of the sub-committees, and countless volunteers for their hard work and dedication to Homenetmen. It is through their devotion and unwavering commitment that thousands of young Armenians are able to thrive in the positive Armenian environment so distant from our Homeland. As for the newly elected Homenetmen Western US Regional Executive Committee, it is obvious that their work will be just as challenging as that of their predecessors. The eleven member group has already begun their work with the continuation of the 4th Annual Homenetmen Winter Games, currently taking place at Pasadena High School for divisions AA, A, B & C in basketball. They will spend the next few weeks taking the suggestions of the Regional Representatives Meeting and cultivating their agenda for the next two years. Sub-committees will soon be appointed and, before we know it, the 30th Navasartian Games & Festival will be here. 20042006 Homenetmen Western US Regional Executive Committee Raffy Ispendjian Sarkis Garabedian Moneh D. Grigorian Oshin Harootoonian Zareh Movsessian Vicken Apelian Salpi Jejeian Nora Tchaparian Aram B. Chobanian Armand Kilijian Vartkes Shekherdimian 7) Congressman Schiff Accepting Applications for House Page Program WASHINGTON, DCCongressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is eligible to nominate a local high school junior for the US House of Representatives Page Program to study and work in Washington, DC during the upcoming spring semester. Eligible students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be at least 16 by the beginning of the program. Participants will begin the spring semester in Washington on Sunday, January 30, 2005 and finish on Friday, June 10, 2005. "This is a wonderful opportunity for young Americans to experience their nation's capital and the lawmaking process up close," Congressman Schiff said. Upholding a tradition over 200 years old, House Pages deliver correspondence and legislative material in the Capitol Complex. They also work within the Democratic and Republican cloakrooms taking messages and answering phones. In addition, Pages attend the House Page School in the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building. Accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, students take a "college prep" curriculum of computer technology, English, mathematics, social studies and either French or Spanish. Participants live in the Page Residence Hall, a dormitory-style building near the Capitol and Library of Congress, staffed by a director and five assistants. In addition, the lobby desk is always staffed with a US Capitol police officer. Three pages are assigned to each room to share a private bath and phone. Pages are paid a monthly gross salary of $1,461.67, but they are responsible for $400 per month in rent and a $100 security deposit as well as travel and personal expenses. Five breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners per week are included within the rent. In addition, while pages are provided with a uniform tie, they must bring with them specific clothes acceptable to the uniform-style dress code. Applications and more information are available on Congressman Schiff's website at <; Completed applications must be received at his Pasadena office at 35 S. Raymond Ave. no later than Wednesday, October 27. Applications must be accompanied with three letters of recommendation and official grade transcripts for the 9th and 10th grades. Signed "Declaration of Parental Consent" and "Requirements for Being a Page" formsalso available on his websitemust be submitted as well. While certain Members of Congress, such as Congressman Schiff, are offered the opportunity to nominate a local youth, all final selection decisions are made by the Majority and Minority Leaders' offices, and the program is administered through the House of Representatives' Office of the Clerk. Congressman Schiff represents California's 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City. 8) Bike-A-Thon Energizes Armenian Countryside By James 'Andranik' Michaelian YEREVANOn August 21, Vatche Soghomonianin an effort to raise money to provide refrigerated milk containers for remote villages throughout Armenia, embarked on a marathon bicycle ride which would take him nearly 700 kilometers across the mountains and plains of the country. The project is spearheaded by the Fresno, California-based Armenian Technology Group (ATG), an organization dedicated to strengthening the agricultural economy in rural regions of Armenia. Soghomonian, also from Fresno and a life-long member of Homenetmen, left from Yerevan's Republic Square to the enthusiastic cheers of fellow Homenetmen scouts, who sang the organization's anthem as the cyclist began his journey. Soghomonian is no stranger to marathon events. In 1999, he rode his bicycle from Stepanakert to Yerevan ("from capital to capital") even biking up the steep, winding road to the fortress city of Shushi, to give a jump-start to the ATG-proposed grape nursery in Khramort, a village in Karabagh ravaged by war. Due to the success of the bike-a-thon and a donation of disease-resistant rootstock from Luther Khachigian of Cal Western Nursery in Visalia, California, farmers in the village of Khramort are now cultivating 30 hectares of lush vineyards. They also provide rootstock to farmers in the region, thus assisting in the reestablishment of the grape industry in Karabagh. This year's event, organized by ATG and the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture, will help ensure the success of a project that stands to benefit rural areas in Armenia for years to come. In many of Armenia's remote agricultural regions, villagers lack the means to store large quantities of milk, resulting in waste and, more important, a shortage of wholesome, fresh milk for children in these villages. With the funds raised from the bike-a-thon, four refrigerated milk containers, each with a capacity of 800-1,000 gallons, will be purchased and placed in villages designated by Agriculture Minister Davit Lokyan, who personally requested the assistance of ATG in making the project a reality. Bike-ride sparks nationwide interest During the course of Soghomonian's six-day journey, several meetings and conferences took place, including a press conference in the northern Armenian city of Vanadzor. There, agricultural officials and members of the press became acquainted with Soghomonian and the reason he had undertaken his long trek through much of the Armenian homeland. Explaining the importance of the milk containers, Soghomonian told of the benefits, both economic and health-related, of placing the refrigerated tanks in Armenia's villages. Then he challenged Armenians everywhere to match his physical efforts by assisting financially to the best of their ability, thus helping the project become a reality. Before leaving Vanadzor, Soghomonian met with Homenetmen scouts, who presented him with a ring and a picture of the Homenetmen campground in Vanadzor. In several interviews arranged by Armenian National Television, Soghomonian and Varoujan Der Simonian, executive director of ATG, explained to audiences the importance of a strong agricultural economy in Armenia, especially in distant border regions vital to Armenia's security. "Besides the immediate benefit of being able to store large quantities of milk, which villagers will be able to use locally or sell to firms producing cheese and other dairy products," Der Simonian stated, "the tanks will serve as field stations for the planned Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL)." According to Der Simonian, veterinarians will work at the location of each refrigerated tank, making sure the milk is of the highest quality, and report the occurrence of any disease that might be detrimental to public health and safety. The laboratory, in coordination with the Armenian Agriculture Ministry and the Department of Veterinary Service of Armenia, will test for diseases that can pass from animals to humans through the food chain. "The CDL will be the first of its kind in the entire Caucasus," Der Simonian told listeners. "Not only will the laboratory help bolster Armenia's economy, but, with improved trade relations, peace and stability will be promoted." By testing for a wide-range of diseases, Der Simonian also noted, the lab would prevent the occurrence of bird flu or other zoonotic diseases that could devastate the economy of a small country like Armenia. Historic churches, monuments given central importance during journey While biking through Armenia's mountainous northern regions and the flat, fertile plains of the Ararat Valley, Soghomonian visited several ancient historic monuments, including Hayravank, a monastery located idyllically on the southern shores of Lake Sevan, and Haghbat Monastery, just north of Alaverdi, near the border with neighboring Georgia. In the Ararat Valley, not far from the border with Turkey, Soghomonian paid tribute to those who fought for Armenia's survival in 1918 at the monument in Sardarabad. He then traveled to Saghmosavank, Echmiadzin, and Oshakan, where, along with ATG staff and supporters, he visited the tomb of Mesrob Mashtots, inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Returning triumphantly to Yerevan's city center, where his journey had begun six days earlier, Soghomonian was greeted by ATG staff and his beloved Homenetmen scouts, who sang the Homenetmen anthem and thanked him for the great ideals he held for Armenia. "Times are difficult in Armenia," Soghomonian stated. "But we are now headed in the right direction. With projects like this, we will see a difference in life here in the homeland." As crowds of passers-by and others gathered in front of the Armenia Marriott Hotel, Soghomonian answered questions and concluded by saying he believed wholeheartedly in what ATG was doing in Armenia. "What ATG did in the past here, during the dark years and later in Karabagh, is amazing," he said. "When you donate to ATG, you know it will reach the Armenian people. That is what we are doing now, raising money to buy milk containers for villages across Armenia." "I invite everybody to join us next year," Soghomonian said. "I wasn't born in the homeland," he added. "But now the homeland is in me." 9) Maro Gorky Exhibition to Premiere in Los Angeles LOS ANGELESRenowned painter Maro Gorky, daughter of famed abstract-expressionist founder Arshile Gorky, will make her first US solo show debut in Los Angeles in early December. This exhibition of works, mostly vibrant landscapes dating from the late 1990s to the present, will be on display on December 2-3 at Christie's Los Angeles, 360 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. Curated by Silva Bezdikian, SB Fine Art founder and owner, the show will include 31 pieces of Maros' works and will be available to the public. The Gorky exhibition promises to be an inspiring cultural affair, drawing an eclectic crowd of collectors, academics, art-world cognoscenti "Maro's landscapes are a genuine synthesis of art and nature," says Bezdikian. "Their simplicity and purity penetrates deeply into the viewers senses as they travel subconsciously through the art historical pathway." A LIFE OF ART Gorky was born in New York in 1943, and her artistic inspiration dates from a very early age. She was profoundly influenced by her father, and by the works of early Renaissance masters Mantegna and Uccello, as well as 20th-Century icons Picasso, Mir and Klee. After her father's tragic suicide in 1948, when Gorky was just five years old, her mother moved the family to Europe. Gorky's education was undertaken in France, Spain, Italy, and England, culminating with the study of art at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art at the University College London, where she graduated with a BA in Fine Arts in 1965. Gorky married sculptor and writer Matthew Spender, son of famed English poet Sir Stephen Spender, in 1967, and soon moved to San Sano, Italy, an idyllic hillside town near Sienna. Their villa, whose vistas have inspired much of Gorky's work, was captured beautifully in Bernardo Bertoluccis 1996 film Stealing Beauty. The creative couple still reside there today. Gorky's style, although somewhat inspired by Cubist space, particularly in her use of multiple optical perspectives and flat surfaces, remains perfectly simple. It has been said that she sees the world as she paints it. The non-essential is not purposely eliminated from Gorky's work; it just is not there. The upcoming exhibition offers a representative display of her vibrant, organic landscape works, such as Spring Olive, Winter Light, August Beach, Brave New World: Summer, and Brave New World: Spring. The event is free and open to the public. Previous SB Fine Art shows have included painters Jean Jansem and John Altoon. Coming exhibitions will showcase photographer Aris IIiopulos, as well as sculptors Julie Speidel and Matthew Spender. Bezdikian serves as a consultant to private clients in a broad range of art collecting activities, providing access to both information and art. In addition, she promotes major exhibitions for leading international artists. For more information about S.B. Fine Art and the Maro Gorky show, please contact Jenna Fogle at 323.966.4600 x104 or jenna.fogle@cliffordpr.com. Collectors and the media will have the opportunity to meet Gorky in person during the official press preview of the exhibition on December 1 at Christie's. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.