AHA collective

About the organisation

"Living Portals" is a research-based exhibition and publication project undertaken in the bordering village of Verishen in southern Armenia in Summer 2023. The project's goal was to reveal the rich architectural heritage of cave settlements and the tradition of carpet making of the Syunik region through mixed-media research and artistic production. In the framework of the exhibition, a collection of contemporary carpets inspired by the traditional cave dwellings were produced using only locally sourced materials and craftmanship (local wool, 100% natural dyes, handmade weaving), hence converting the artistic production to circular economy. The handmade carpets were produced in collaboration with a social enterprise empowering women living and working in vulnerable areas, which brought a social transformation. Through this project, a few historical carpets were digitalised, which secured its dissemination both offline (publication) and online (website). The exhibition was opened in June 2023 in the former House of Culture of the village, closed for 35 years, and in the nearby 5th century St. Hripsime Church. Hence, the exhibition became a historical manifestation where two abandoned and neglected built heritage (modern era and medieval religious site) were transformed into living spaces for the local community and international visitors.

"Voices from Our Collective Past" is an exhibition project undertaken with carpet collector James Tufenkian at the History Museum of Armenia open from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024. The exhibition presents the artistry of historical 19th century Armenian carpets in dialogue with historical photographs preserved at the History Museum. The exhibition was produced by engaging the museum workers, the carpet collector and his contemporary carpet factory's community of women master weavers, often neglected from the museum setting. By showcasing the historical and contemporary context and creators of carpets, the exhibition provided an inclusive social space. A rich variety of educational workshops have been implemented inside the exhibition space for different audiences (children, families, collectors, tourists). The exhibition scenography was conceived by reusing materials from the museum to reduce waste and convert the museum into circular economy. In the framework of the exhibition, collections from the photographic archive of the History Museum showcased in the exhibition were digitalised.

Activities

Education and capacity building (workshops, trainings, educational programmes)

Awareness raising and community empowerment

Research

Documentation and archiving