1997Õhtuleht 11.juuli 1997
Rafael Arutyunyan is an Estonian artist of Armenian origin. He came to Estonia in 1958, graduated from the Estonian Art Institute after six years and has created a lot of sculptures since then. Over a hundred of them have been exhibited at the Sakala Cultural Centre. The sponsor of the exhibition is the Agregar company of security systems and devices which belongs to his son, Areg Arutyunyan.
What is disliked – to pieces!
Rafael Arutyunyan uses all kinds of materials for his works: granite, marble, bronze, wood, metal, felt and glass. He combines them with each other in the most surprising combinations. According to his own words, every certain theme requires special material. Moreover, the time-consuming work with heavy material is already physically tiresome. Arutyunyan estimates the exhibited works as good ones: “Those works that I do not like myself I shall break to pieces.”
A Happy Person
The artist declares with a smile that it is not possible to stand him at home for more than three days. They keep telling him to go to the studio. In the studio he feels more comfortable, admitting that he is at home in the studio but on a visit at home. Rafael Arutyunyan says that while living in Estonia he has had to face different problems and hardships: “But I do not find it necessary to point them out. There are problems here like they would have been in Armenia.” Besides, he is a happy person in his own opinion since he can do the work he loves. “Of course I am not always happy. For example when I fall ill I am very unhappy.”
A Tragedy Avoided
The son of Rafael Areg claims that two artists in the same family would be a tragedy and therefore he has chosen business for his field of activity. The artist himself is not happy with the difference of father and son but the new hope is the little granddaughter who already draws well. How far could the carving time be then?
The exhibition of sculptures will be open until July 27. Starting from July 24, people interested in art will also have the possibility to buy the works they like.