HAIK KOCHARIAN - 2012
MARCH 14 -
APRIL 29, 2012
The Robin Rice Gallery announces the second solo exhibition of photography by Haik Kocharian. The opening reception will be held on Wednesday March 14, 2012. The show runs through April 29th, 2012.
Kocharian’s work focuses on the interaction of the individual and the surrounding nature: a forest, body of water or urban street. Just as nature transforms our environment, so does the object in the picture evolve, symbolizing an internal shift. The style is reminiscent of photojournalism forefathers such as Robert Frank and Cartier-Bresson yet with a Fellini-esque twist.
This exhibition, at once mysterious and revealing, reflects one man’s journey in search of love, vacillating from memories to hope. The collection is a fusion of neo-realism and symbolism. It’s the central figure’s relationship to the environment that elevates the images beyond realism, representing the transformational power in nature and within ourselves.
The exhibit includes photographs from Kocharian’s expansive travels – from immersing himself in Montauk during Hurricane Earl to a soul-searching journey to India to a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia.
The invitational image, "Promised Happiness," was taken at Brighton Beach during a rare dust storm. One gazes at what first appears to be a blinding canvas of clouds but upon closer inspection, an outline of the boardwalk and a lone figure are exposed through the sand, reflecting a brief moment of clarity in the storm.
In "Suffocation," soft brown hues accentuate the raging Hurricane fueled whitecaps, fighting the power captured in the waves’ unique grainy texture and steel gray tones. In "Forgive Me," taken in Ethiopia, we see a cluster of trees, their upper branches almost lost in the clouds. The rich almost red tone of the soil draws the eyes downward to remind us that the trees’ ancient roots are firmly planted in the ground.
Kocharian, also a filmmaker, brings a cinematic eye to his photography. Walking through the exhibit one gets a sense of movement – memories of dreams, desires, and longing ebb and flow with the environments. For Kocharian, the photographic process is in many ways like the aging of wine. He puts his heart and soul into shooting and then lets the images sit for months until he gets a sudden urge to look at them.
Born in Armenia, Haik Kocharian has lived in New York City since 1993. He began his studies at the Armenian Theater Academy and continued his education in film directing at Brooklyn College. His solo exhibitions in New York include Galerie Mourlot, Robin Rice Gallery, 92 Y Tribeca, and James Cohan Gallery. He was a finalist in the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Competition.
Mr. Kocharian also collaborates with various non-for-profits, including African Services Committee, Chodron Foundation and Self Help Africa. Haik Kocharian has written and directed six short films including "Charlie" which won the Thirteen/WNET Reel 13 Shorts competition. He wrote and produced his first feature film, "Manhattan Romance". His new feature film as a writer/director/producer, "Please Be Normal," will be released this year. Mr. Kocharian is also a singer-songwriter; his upcoming album, "Children's Album," will be released this summer.