100 YEAR JOURNEY at Western Diocese

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 100 Year Journey
Zorayan Museum
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank CA 91504
Media Contacts:
Ronda Berkeley 818 437 4484 ronda.berkeley@gmail.com
Fr. Vazken Movsesian 626 676 5797 vazken@inhisshoes.org

ARMENIAN ARTIST’S INTERACTIVE MESSAGE OF PEACE
The 100 YEAR JOURNEY at Zorayan Museum April 15-24, 2015

Burbank, CA: In commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, beginning April 15^th, thousands of Los Angeles students will experience The 100 Year Journey, an interactive exhibition of photographs, artworks, music and words celebrating peace through artist Gregory Beylerian’s personal journey to his ancestral heart land, rediscovery of his heritage and exploration of how the Armenian people continue to move forward from their near extinction in 1915.

The 100 Year Journey installation makes use of the entire space at the Zorayan Museum. The centerpiece and inspiration for Beylerian’s work are the remnants of a hand crafted wool blanket once carried through the desert by the family of a genocide survivor transformed into the image of a khatchkar; a modern version of a medieval Armenian monument stone. “100 Year Journey is the story of a nation that survived countless perils, atrocities, sufferings and even genocide, because of its rich spiritual assets,” explains exhibition producer Father Vazken Movsesian, “It is a portal that will leave you with a lasting impression of the wonders and possibilities in life.”

During the Summer of 2014, Movsesian led a group of pilgrims to both sides of Mt. Ararat. From Armenia to Artsakh to Western Armenia, the message of lasting peace was discovered and Beylerian has documented that with a wide variety of artistic expressions, including visual, audio and sensation.

Born in New York, artist Gregory Beylerian’s work crosses over many markets and genres. He often explores the use of new technologies, material and processes to merge mediums in non-traditional ways utilizing a technique inspired from his training with a Shaolin Buddhist master he describes as “flow dynamics.” Beylerian says, “I began this project over two years ago. The 100 Year Journey is not only a celebration of a peoples’ proud ancient and spiritual history, it is a dialogue of peace. I can only imagine that this is what my ancestors wanted most for us during their darkest hour. Therefore I think it is our responsibility today to honor the past by contribution to a peaceful tomorrow. If you are against genocide then you are for peace.” Beylerian has been featured on CNN, Los Angeles Times, Current TV and many fine art and photography blogs and publications.

Students from schools and churches from throughout the State will be visiting The 100 Year Journey at the Zorayan Museum located at the Lower Galleria of St Leon Armenian Cathedral 3325 North Glenoaks Blvd in Burbank and the installation will be available to the general public April 15^th – 24^th from 9am to 9pm. The Zorayan Museum, by presenting The 100 Journey, seeks to build bridges of appreciation and understanding and inspire dialogue with those of other religious, culture and ethnic backgrounds.

The 100 Year Journey is presented under the auspices His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and is part of the Centennial Commemorative programs of the diocese.

For more information on The 100 Year Journey and a video sneak peak visit www.100YearJourney.org

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