We’re honored to welcome 𝗛𝗿𝗮𝗴 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 to 𝗛𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗧: 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 💥
The editor-at-large and co-founder of Hyperallergic, Hrag Vartanian is an art critic, writer, curator, artist, and lecturer on contemporary art with an expertise in the intersection of art and politics. Born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Toronto, Canada, and now based in Brooklyn, Vartanian’s work has long explored the relationship between cultural production, identity, and political imagination. In 2024, he received the Susan C. Larsen Lifetime Achievement Award for Visual Arts Writing from the Rabkin Foundation.
📅 May 16, 2:30–4pm
📍 Governors Island, Liggett Terrace
Free with RSVP. Link in bio.
HIKAYAT is ArteEast’s live performance art series bringing the community together around performance and storytelling. We are excited to present 𝗛𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗧: 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 as part of Bahar Behbahani’s public intervention 𝘋𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦: 𝘈 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, on Governor’s Island.
For the first time in its history, the State Archives of Venice opened its doors to the public to showcase an art exhibition by Dayanita Singh. Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian (@hragv ) interviews the “off-set artist” about her independently funded exhibition ARCHIVIO at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
This exhibition welcomes visitors into a treasure trove of documents that date back over a millennium, including wills, contracts, and other official records that safeguard the rich history of one of the world’s most storied cities.
Read more at hyperallergic.com.
One bird appears to be an art fan setting up its nest in front of the Polish pavilion in the Giardini. Venice Biennale organizers believe this is the first known instance of the bird nesting in such a prominent area of the exhibition grounds.
Read the whole story by @avohadjian in Hyperallergic.com
Dozens of police officers blocked the entrance to the Venice Biennale’s Arsenale during a historic march and labor strike for Palestine today, May 8. A tense standoff ensued when protesters attempted to enter the Arsenale, where the Israeli Pavilion is located. Officers pushed back on them with their shields.
Thousands of people participated in the march in the name of Palestinian solidarity and workers’ rights. It was organized by @angalliance@saledocks and other local organizations.
Video by Hrag Vartanian @hragv
Protests at the Russia Pavilion, Israel Pavilion, and an artist protest mark day one of the Venice Biennale. Hyperallergic editor-at-large @hragv reports from the Giardini.
Read more on Hyperallergic.com
Join us this Wednesday, April 29 for our conversation with contemporary artist Jeremy Frey! Exclusively for Hyperallergic members, so become a member today and support independent art journalism!
I saw Jeremy Frey’s retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago back in 2023 and it blew me away.
Quick reel (better documentation is on the way) from today’s Gorky’s Gardeners creative action at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Grove in Union Square, Manhattan on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the date we commemorate the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. Initiated by @aramartinjib with @giorgiohandman@lindaganjian@4thwallcomix@veken@houri61@dahliaelsayed@silentpatterns@meandamadeupdress and many more. Thanks to Chandler Carter for the video footage.
Join us on Sunday, April 26 at noon to commemorate the Armenian Genocide with a creative action of remembrance while celebrating community and the sanctuary this city offers to people from around the world. The site is at the northeast corner of Union Square, which the location of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Grove and a block from where artist Arshile Gorky had his studio on Union Square West. Let’s remember to ensure that genocides are acknowledged and justice prevails.
We are hoping for a small but dedicated crowd of people who share our artistic spirit and dedication to memory work during a time of great upheaval and change.
Solidarity comes from difficult (and sometimes uncomfortable) conversations, not simply hoping good things will happen. The conversation continues … in the comments feel free to express your solidarity with people in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iran and not just Armenians there.
Why are the plights and realities of Armenians in the Levant ignored or overlooked? Why is there silence about the horrors the countries we’re a part of acceptable to many, particularly those from the Republic of Armenia? Why are we allotted second class status? Let’s hear your thoughts and I know many people react to such things with defensiveness, but know that non-constructive comments will be deleted.
