Emil Kazaz

Emil Kazaz
File:Emil Kazaz.jpg Emil Kazaz with "Bird from Black Garden"
Born	Emanuel Ghazazian (1953-01-14) January 14, 1953 Gyumri, Armenia
Nationality	American-Armenian
Education	Terlemezian Art College, 1972 University of Fine Arts and Theatre, 1978
Known for	Sculpting, painting, drawing
Notable work	Judith (1995) Sacrifice of Abraham (1997)
Website	www.emilkazaz.com

Emanuel Ghazazian, known as Emil Kazaz is an American-Armenian figurative sculptor and painter born on January 14, 1953 in Gyumri, Armenia.

Early life

He was born to parents Aram Ghazazian and Satik Ghazazian. His father was a well known shoemaker and his mother was working at a local music school. At an early age, Emil was fascinated by the arts. He cites his mother, Satik, as his primary influence because early in his life she constantly took him to the local theatre where he was exposed to actors and actresses. Kazaz paid close attention to the masks, clothing, props, and the emotions the actors and actresses displayed on stage while performing. He was interested on how an actor or actress performed on stage with a predetermined role and script (Emil Kazaz, 2011). This characteristic engraved in his head as one that had been consistently evident in all human beings. This meant that the majority of humans on earth were born to perform a role that was pre-established for them. However, by doing this the individual was conforming to what society expected of him or her and was not being genuine to one’s own self. In addition to his childhood experiences, Emil’s art has also been influenced by Artists from the Renaissance era, such as Caravaggio and Titian (Emil Kazaz, 2011). To Emil, an artist must understand the old artistic masters before he or she will be able to break away and create something entirely new in the field of art.

Career Beginnings

File:Emil Kazaz & Grigor Mooradian.jpg

Emil Kazaz & Grigor Mooradian

Kazaz first began his formal education in the fine arts by studying sculpture at the age of seven at an art school in Gyumri. Following his instincts and creative mindset, he continued his education by attending the Mercurov Art School at the age of twelve and graduated from the Terlemezian Art College in 1972 and the University of Fine Arts and Theatre in 1978. Soon after his graduation, in 1980, Kazaz decided to immigrate to the United States and settle in Los Angeles where he created various figurative paintings, drawings, and bronze sculptures (Igitian & Lewis pg. 332). He strongly felt that his opportunities for artistic heights were far greater in the States. He knew America would be the opening doors to his long journey to ultimate success. However, he struggled during his first years in America. He was forced to work in numerous jobs leaving him only a limited amount of time to focus on his art. Eventually, in 1992 with the help of Grigor Mooradian, Kazaz was able to focus on his art entirely and have his first sculpture casted in bronze (Igitian & Lewis pg.332). Grigor would provide for all financial needs associated with his art and living, as well as marketing and exclusively representing his work from 1991 through 2005 (Igitian & Lewis pg.321).

Philosophy in Art

Emil strongly believes and follows a quote said by William Shakespeare that “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players” (Igitian & Lewis, pg.52). This quote is widely evident in his art because he sculpts, paints, and draws individual characters that are representative of actual human beings. He portrays a lot of characters as half human half animal to highlight the animalistic state of the human condition. The inner soul of the human being has animalistic qualities. It is semi-barbaric in nature. Emil uses the half man half animal characters not to create a world of fantasy, but to emphasize the true nature of humanity. To Emil, mankind is oblivious to the truth and is in denial of the fact that there is an animal in each of us that is violent and may burst out in the spur of the moment. The human kind would like to think to the contrary. It insists that it is pure and harmless, one that is in a continuous symbolic state. As such, it finds justification in any conflict including war.

Emil allows himself to be consumed by the characters he creates because they represent human individuals who are real and true; they are not tainted from what society imposes on them. He quotes “People live in a world imposed on them. I create the world I choose to live in” (Emil Kazaz, 2011). He means that all the characters he creates are sculpted and painted as part of a larger world that is genuine and true. He is an artist who is upset with the imbalance of society and the constant violence that has occurred throughout history. It is almost an obsession to him and is clearly evident in his artistic themes. That is why each sculpture and painting is utilized to display the truth of the human condition in the forefront of the viewer’s attention. It is intended to force the viewer to understand the psychological, intentional, and unintentional side effects of human actions and interactions.

Judith

Using his art Emil attempts to draw the viewers’ attention to the existing truth. One primary example where Emil draws the audience’s attention to the violence of war is “Judith,” which is a life size bronze sculpture completed in 1995. The sculpture itself is a symbol of war because it portrays the heroic act of Judith, a Jewish woman who beheaded Holofernes, a tyrant general who intended to wipe out the Jewish community. One night Judith slept with the general and cut his head off as a symbol of defeat to the soldiers displaying to them that their leader had fallen. As Judith showed the head to the general’s soldiers, they had no choice but to lay down their weapons. In Emil’s sculpture violence was used to defeat violence because one death was necessary for an entire nation to survive. Although, the sculpture “Judith” is a symbol of violence, she is depicted as a hero and a woman who accomplished a violent task in order to shield a nation from detriment. She stands tall and confident with her head to the side. The head of Holofernes is depicted skin tight to Judith’s body as she holds her sword in her right arm towards her backside. The sword being held to the back of her body represents her conspiracy to kill Holofernes. It is a representation of the concealment of the act. Also, because her left leg is being lifted from the ground, Judith is in the motion of walking so that she can reveal the head of the general to the soldiers. Furthermore, Emil intentionally painted the bronze sculpture to instill a lifelike quality within it and reveal the blood stained skin of Judith. In addition, there are two small childlike characters on the bottom of the sculpture blowing their horns in praise to Judith’s heroic actions.

Present time

Ever since he moved to Los Angeles, Emil Kazaz significantly expanded his opportunities for a successful artistic career. In the United States, he was able to establish a relationship with numerous art galleries and have several art exhibitions locally and abroad. Some of his prominent art works, such as “Judith” is found in the Yerevan Modern Art Museum. This is the primary museum of Armenia that houses both modern and contemporary art. Kazaz continues to live and work in Los Angeles to this very day. Isolating himself from the chaos of society, he creates his artwork on a daily basis in his studio with his radio tuned specifically to classical music channel. Emil reiterates the fact that he is totally satisfied and self-sufficient if all he has in this world are paint, canvas, paper, and art supplies because he will be doing what he does best, creating art (Igitian & Lewis, pg.10).

The Los Angeles Times commented on Kazaz work at an art exhibition, "One of the most striking pieces in this sprawling show is Emil Kazaz's, Hang Horse,".

Awards

• Lorenzo Medici medal from the Florence Biennale in 2003.
• El Grande Premio Lorenzo il Magnifico (Medici) in Sculpture from Florence Biennale 2007.
• Sahag and Mesrob Medal from Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
• William Saroyan Medal from the RA Ministry of Diaspora for the development of Armenia-Diaspora partnership and contribution in the preservation of Armenian identity.

Further reading

• Igitian, Henrik, and Joe Lewis. Emil Kazaz. Yerevan: Tigran Mets, 2004. Print.
• Emil Kazaz. 2011. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://www.emilkazaz.com>.
• Sarkissian, Artem. "Emil Kazaz Interview." YouTube. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.