Curator’s Choice: 100 years of Janyak in the U.S.
IN PERSON
Gassia Armenian, curator of Janyak: Armenian Art of Knots and Loops, will discuss the history of Armenian needle lace in the U.S. Janyak (Ժանյակ) or needle lace has been, for centuries, a precious link for Armenians across the world. A portable and enduring art form passed from mother to daughter, it has connected generations both in their homeland and in the diaspora, transmi tting cultural heritage and values.
Gassia Armenian is the curatorial and research associate at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, where she conducts collections research and facilitates curatorial and scholarly endeavors. She also liaises with domestic and international institutions, private collectors and lenders to the Fowler, and manages various aspects of planning and organizing the museum’s exhibitions and publications. Over the past 25 years, Armenian has helped to mount many exhibitions at the Fowler. Prior to that, she served as a consultant/project coordinator for the U.S. Agency for International Development for Junior Achievement of Armenia, developing and implementing civics education training programs and teaching methodologies.
Parking available in UCLA Lot 4, 198 Westwood Plaza, directly off Sunset Blvd; $3/hr or max $15/day. Rideshare drop-off at 305 Royce Dr.
Image credit: Marie Pilibossian, Armenian needle lace, early to mid-20th century; thread and needle used as a knotting tool; Fowler Museum at UCLA, X80.1166; Gift of Marie Pilibossian
