Oxford Project

Krikor Momdjian - Artist in residence (2014-2016) – in Pembroke College, at Oxford University. In collaboration with Professor Theo Maarten van Lint.
Krikor has been invited as artist and poet by the Professor. who organized workshops of translations in Pembroke College at the University of Oxford. Krikor' s Armenian poems have been translated into English by the students of the Professor and other participants. Krikor gave also a couple of lectures at Pembroke College about the relation between Image and Language.
In October 2016 the publication of the book with the translations of his Armenian poems, including some of his Dutch, French and English poems will be presented at the Pembroke College. Simultaneously another book about his artworks (37 years of development) will be presented with an exhibition of his artworks at the Pembroke Art Gallery, in Pembroke College. University of Oxford.

Seasons come seasons go (Always in Love). oil on canvas, 140x140 cm, 2010

'Artist's Book'- 'Ode to Life! Կենաց'

Presentation of Krikor 's 'Artist's Book'- 'Ode to Life ! Կենաց ' in The Bodleian Libraries. (a copy of the Limited Edition in the collection of The Bodleian Libraries). A talk and presentation by Krikor in 2021 in The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, UK.

This 'Artist's Book' 'Ode to Life! Կենաց' - 'Songs for Christmas' of Krikor Momdjian reflects the essence of the development of his artistic creations in Images and Words in the last 40 years since he settled down in The Netherlands. This book is mainly a Celebration of Life as a

constant renewal - the core of his work, expressing simultaneously his philosophy of 'Transcultural Relations between colours, forms and numbers'. Inspired by the Christmas carolling in the manuscripts of the Medieval English Literature, the original manuscript of this 'Artist's Book' was exhibited in the Bodleian (Redesigning - The Medieval book, 2017- 2018). The languages used are English and Armenian (his mother tongue).

This is a printed Limited Edition with a hard cover in linen, upon which two original monotypes (on front and back cover).

In the book there are three full page poems,14 short poems as a whole, 27 images (etchings).

Krikor Momdjian Backcover of the Artists Book Limited Edition

Krikor Momdjian Frontcover of the Artists Book Limited Edition

ART 'N SOCIETY

'ARTI my Love' - in Amsterdam

Two works of the recent series - Inspired of questioning the show in the society Arti et Amicitiae in Amsterdam, as I wrote this poem in my diary, when I met Mondriaan and Breitner. Vincent was also present...
The first one will be shown at the exhibition Zomersalon // ART 'N SOCIETY ( July 16 - September 3. 2019).

'Encounter in ARTI ( Four Edged)'

Dear Vincent, yesterday at our meeting in ARTI
with Mondriaan and Breitner, you have seen and
heard how Piet was very angry at me and said:
'Krikor, you should be more Radical and stop being
emotional, dealing still with your sad past and your
parents' pain. Your uprootedness I understand it well.
'Home' is inside each of us, you know that damn well.
Remember it for once and for all. Take care that you
think clear and straight - looking at the future where
in a Cosmological Unity we could all together one day
touch Infinity'.
I looked at you Vincent, totally submerged in thoughts
as I heard you saying: 'What are you all talking about?
Look around you and try to embrace the Beauty of Life!
In pain I could see all passing by swiftly. All is about Love,
here, now!'. Then you disappeared as a cloud noiselessly.
George was all this time almost still. He enjoyed listening to
our abstract talk. He stood up to leave as Piet looked at me
with his anxious piercing eyes and before leaving he said:
'Think about what I said to you my friend, Life is too short'.
I remained in the society building, totally alone and lost.
Looking at the dark corner where three stars now happily
were waving in space hypnotised. We were all in ecstasy.
8.7.2019
Krikor Momdjian
(A page out of my diary)

ARTI my love I Krikor Momdjian

ARTI my love II Krikor Momdjian

Triptych (Jerusalem)

In Amsterdam, Arti et Amititiae

'Bonjour Monsieur Breitner'

It is a pleasure and a great honour
at the beating heart of Amsterdam, in Arti
to appear near to you, with this ' triptych' (Jerusalem)
My Dutch dynamic reality
expressif, minimalistic and in a meditative way
the present, the past and the future expectations
under the watching eyes of the beheaded St James -
remembrances from my youth stay at the cloister
with wishes - A peaceful world for us all
I would like to raise the glass 'To Life'!
As an alchemist, I try to find answers
Why, there are so many miseries and pain around us?
Shall a real peace ever come with revelations?
Again there was a total silence ...

Krikor Momdjian

If you happen to be in the center of Amsterdam ( in April or May 2019). on the Rokin, this 'Triptych' is hanging now at Arti et Amicitiae, next to Breitner... (Open for non members, from Monday - Friday, 12 - 5 pm).

Being honoured to be chosen as a member artist, to hang this work at the central place of the Berlage interior, next to the painting of Breitner (who was a member, like Mondriaan) - for the Event - 'Boven de Schouw, De Kunstenaar Uitgelicht'. End of May, there will be a live interview in front of this painting 'Triptych (Jerusalem)' which reflects actual themes, questioning - The Identity issue, Ignorance, Injustice and Arrogance of power. a.o.

- This work is based on my own Trilogy, starting from my stay in Jerusalem at the Armenian seminary St James (you see his face awakening in the middle of the picture), between my cultural roots and my actual dynamic Dutch Identity. All this expressing the development of the language of painting in me during the last Fifty years.

Triptych (Jerusalem), oil painting, gold pigment, on linen, 175x90 cm, 2005

Drieluik Jeruzalem olieverf en goud pigment op linnen 175x90 cm 2005

'The World of Dido' - Berlin project

Performance of krikor during concert in Berlin (15 April 2018).
In a collaboration with the composer Christoph Ostendorf, during the concert
'The World of Dido' and the Release of the new CD of Univocale, Krikor performed
as an Artist-Poet by reciting a selection of his poems telling short stories.
Looking forward to collaborating in a following project in Berlin with an exhibition of Krikor's paintings
together with a new concert with the poems of krikor set to music by Christoph Ostendorf.

CD Cover Dido and Aeneas 29595480 1690329731088583 4691966641041018684 n

Concert Univocale in Berlijn. 15.4.2018

Concert Univocale in Berlijn. 15.4.2018 2

Concert Univocale in Berlijn. 15.4.2018 3

Concert Univocale in Berlijn 15.4.2018

Exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

Redesigning the medieval book (1 December 2017 - 11 March 2018)

It is a great pleasure and honour that my latest 'artist's book' inspired of English medieval literature is selected to be presented at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford. among a selection of submissions of invited contemporary international bookbinders, papermakers, calligraphers, illustrators, graphic designers, hand press printers and other artists.

Layout Artbooks in the Bodleian Oxford University

Layout Artbook Krikor Momdjian in the Bodleian Oxford University

Momdjian open pages

Momdjian 01 cover of the book

Momdjian 02 back of the book

Momdjian 03 an open page