The Armenian Historical Society Presents
URARTU Based on the God of Dark Laughter by Michael Chabon Illustrated by Ishita Jain
URARTU This is the first major exhibition that brings to light, the findings of Michael Chabon and German archaeologist Friedrich Von Junzt from their visit to the geographical region of Mount Ararat, in the Armenian Highlands in 1879. The recent discovery of Von Junzt’s collection reveals a perplexing set of notes and images that point towards the existence of an erstwhile-unknown cult, dating back to 900 B.C. Found images depict baboon worshiping, mind-altering intoxicants and community rituals involving the dead. The alphabet in use, still under study, indicates an early system of the current day Armenian alphabet. Through a range of objects and writings - including wood carvings, intricate terracotta vases, knives and inscribed tablets- this exhibition showcases a bizarre and surreal collection of narratives that indicate the existence of a formerly unheard and unseen civilization. All the works are on view for the public at the Armenian Historical Society for the first time, from 16th January 2019, to 20th February 2019.
Terracotta vases According to the scholar Friedrich Von Junzt, the regions around what is now northern Armenia had spawned, along with an entire cosmology, two competing cults of incalculable antiquity, which survived to the present day: that of Yê-Heh, the God of Dark Laughter, and that of Ai, the God of Unbearable and Ubiquitous Sorrow. Several large terracotta vases painted with iconic deities and rituals that depict the life of these cults have been unearthed in this collection. Fig 1. Depicts Yê-Heh, the God of Dark Laughter. The Yê-Hehists viewed the universe as a cosmic hoax: a place of calamity and cruel irony so overwhelming that the only possible response was a malevolent laughter. Fig 2. Depicts Ai, the God of Unbearable and Ubiquitous Sorrow or the God who Mourns, leader of the Aiites and sworn enemy of the Yê-Hehists. Fig 3. Right, depicts a death ritual. Referred to as the ‘Skinning of the Noble Dead’, the rite involved the flaying of a human, severed from the shoulder of one who had died in battle or in the course of some other supposedly exalted endeavor. The priest would don the bloodless mask and then dance, making a public travesty of the noble dead.
Fig 1. God of Mourning Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Dimensions: 18”
Fig 2. God of Dark Laughter Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Dimensions: 15”
Fig 3. Death Rituals Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Dimensions: 16”
Intoxication rituals Years of close contact with the natural flora and fauna in the Armenian Highlands led the Yê-Hehists to discover the narcotic properties of many plants. They ingested these plants by brewing them into potions and consuming them. These resulted in mind-altering reactions and powerful episodes of Laughter. The purpose of consuming this potion was to connect with the higher consciousness, and find a way to exist in the cruel world. The Yê-Hehists used two principal substances: the leaf of Musa paradisiaca and Agaricus bisporus, boiled and reduced with the finely ground funny bone of the Crocuta crocuta. The potion was passed around and consumed at regular intervals, at community gatherings. Within minutes of consumption, users feel lightheaded and have episodes or manic laughter, accompanied by a frenzied, rhythmic movements. Fig 4.[Next page] depicts the various stages: from creation to consumption, to manifestation.
Fig 4. Intoxication Rituals [next page] Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Terracotta vase Dimension: 11-16”
Baboon-headed deities The Yê-Hehist sacred book, “Khndzut Dzul,” or “The Unfathomable Ruse” revealed several relief prints of baboon headed deities. Mentions of the laughing followers of the baboonheaded Yê-Heh and of laughter rituals, all tie together with the Baboon– the Old World Monkey. An ideal symbol of laughter; the Baboon was the most worshiped deity of this cult.
Fig 5. Baboon Head-I Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Carving on wood Dimensions: 9”x 9”
Fig 6. Baboon Head-II Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Carving on wood Dimensions: 9”x 9”
Fig 7. Baboon Head-III Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Carving on wood Dimensions: 9”x 9”
Fig 8. Baboon Head-IV Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Relief print Dimensions: 9”x 9”
Fig 9. Baboon Head-V Period: Iron Age III Date: ca. 789–766 B.C. Medium: Relief print Dimensions: 9”x 9”
All the artworks are based on the short story by Michael Chabon– The God of Dark Laughter, as part of the Book Seminar course guided by Viktor Koen from September to December 2018. MFA Illustration as Visual Essay School of Visual Arts www.ishitajain.in