“Yasser Arafat called me “tyrant” and “dictator” but he also gifted me with the exceptional privilege of taking photos.” This is what recalls the photojournalist of the National
Geographic newspaper, America- Armenian Alexandra Avagyan from her personal touching stories.
Today, she had a master class for future and acting photographers and journalists at the hall of the Faculty of Culture.
Alexandra Avagyan shares with the students about the career path she overcame, told about the photos she took in extreme situations. He also showed important documented events such as the Palestinians’ Intifada, Hezbollah Immigrants, civil war and famine in Somali and Sudan, as well as the Spitak Earthquake and the Karabakh war in 1988.
Having travelled to Iran, Iraq, to a part of Gaza, Africa, Palestine, Artsakh and other hot spots, having documented important events all over the world, the photographer told the students about the difficulties she had to overcome, problems she faced in each place, the different people she met and associated with.
However, she also advised those present to avoid working in such situations. To be able to work in such conditions, you need to be strong, not to step back, and to always remember that your task is documentation, and your sufferings should be observable through the photos to everybody. Besides, it is very important to possess a number of personal psychological techniques and preparedness to be able to work in such situations.
“I communicate with people by documenting other cultures and create cultural bridges among them,” emphasized the American-Armenian photojournalist Alexandra Avagyan.
Afterwards, speaking about the preordered photos and their peculiarities, the photographer said that the client always knew about her peculiarities. “You should always keep your soul and inner-world in harmony, whatever happens, you shouldn’t sell yourself for some money, as money is nothing in our work”. Besides, what she considered the price of her success was that she had never forgotten and did not forget people who were once in her life but no longer existed, her memories from grievous past.
At last, to become good photographers Alexandra advised the students to work hard, to be self-criticizing and to always follow their inner voice.
In his turn, the Head of the Department of Operator’s Work, Art Photography and Social-Cultural Activities, as well as the organizer of the meeting Rouben Yerznkyan gives major importance to such master classes. Up to him, such meetings contribute to a better learning and to preparing better professionals as well as strengthen the love of students towards their profession.
By the way, prior to this meeting Alexandra Avagyan launched her exhibition headed “Windows of the soul. my journeys in the muslim world” at the Center of Contemporary Experimental Arts; the exhibition will be open until 15 December.
And last but not least, her photos were published in the “National Geographic”, “The Times”, “The New York Times”, and in other authoritative newspapers of the USA and Europe.
