CSF International - Christmas Recipe Edition '22

GISHYAN CERAMICS OF LIFE Pomegranate

Pomegranate has a long journey as a symbol of fertility, abundance and love It appeared in Jewish manuscripts and Greek mythology, Medieval painting and Indian ornaments, Shakespeare’s poetry and Picasso’s still life Tracing its history back to the ancient Mediterranean and Persian civilizations, pomegranate did hardly influence any culture as deeply as Armenian, becoming an essential element of wedding rituals and decorative art.

It was the genius Armenian film director Sergei Parajanov who re-introduced the old symbol to contemporary art with his “The Color of Pomegranates” film launched in 1969 Since then the pomegranate became Parajanov’s creative mascot and a sign of deepest devotion to his motherland The impressive red ceramic pomegranate, made by Ruben Stepanyan in mid 1990s for Sergei Parajanov’s Museum, marked the beginning of a new era for the local ceramists – plenty of artists started following Stepanyan’s steps. Now the next generation of Stepanyan-Gishyan family evolves the initial approach, bringing the Armenian ceramic pomegranates far beyond the national border – yet never forgetting the meaning and great idea behind it

“In Western Armenia there is an old wedding ritual: a bride would throw a pomegranate and break it into pieces. Its appearing seeds ensured that she will bear a child This lovely tradition inspired me a lot!” – says Alina Gishyan, whose

namesake ceramics brand recently got huge success at Art Zagreb Known for the strong combination of decorative and functional aspects of her art projects, Alina is trying to breathe new life into an ancient practice: the ceramic wedding pomegranates reveal their shining seeds without cracking, and will keep the dearest memories for years

Pomegranate is not just an attractive wild form or a way of tracing cultural Armenian evolution for Gishyan Ceramics It was pomegranate –and love – that helped Alina start her global career on

new grounds. Being married to a Croatian, Alina made the country her second home, and soon the signature glazed pomegranates transformed into fresh and bright Adriatic coastline colours –turquoise, blue and white – which seemed more appropriate for the artist in her new surroundings.

The expanding of colour palette – from intensive ruby red or lava red to calm and deep colours –came together with a growing interest in abstract and minimalist ceramics, being the new directions Alina is leading her brand to. Thus appeared a collection of white pomegranates with a splash of scarlet or gold – pure and strong, just as a bride’s dress.

The process of creation takes from 5 to 8 stages and lasts up to 10 days The prototype form is made on a pottery wheel, then it takes some time for the earthenware clay to get harder Thereafter Alina starts working with her hands, giving each fruit its unique shape, making the sides and the crown, carving the seeds and the cracks The work may last for hours, yet it’s the only process that doesn’t make the artist feel tired “I can start making pomegranates in the morning and let them dry the very next morning It’s such a great energy! I can do tons of it” –Alina says

The pomegranates can be as tiny as the smallest fruit – about 10 cm – or reach the height of 40 cm Since all the colors are obtained with powder glaze through the extremely precise chemical and creative process, the introduction of a new color upon request will take more time – the artist will have to do lots of glaze testing However the result is worth the effort, since the glaze deepens the color and adds a particular 3D effect to it The painted pomegranates will get 1 or 2 firings Some parts of the fruit can be done in 10% gold, which adds one extra firing and makes the gift even more precious Each pomegranate is unique, yet there is also a personalization option Bride and groom can get their initials, or date, or a small wish carved on the bottom side of the fruit Moreover, the wedding gift can become the first piece of art in a beautiful future

Alina Gishyan

Alina Gishyan is an Armenian visual artist who has been living and working in Croatia for five years. She uses both of her cultural influences to create pieces that are certainly Croatian and also undeniably Armenian Her avant-garde style of ceramics has attracted buyers from all over the world, including local buyers who have commissioned her work to be displayed as part of corporate collections

Alina Gishyan comes from a distinguished Armenian family of ceramic artists; over the past sixteen years she has built up an enormous amount of experience and developed her own style of unique ceramic functional pottery Her artistic mission is to create sustainable art through food safe materials that are functional and stylish

Alina is constantly gaining exposure through exhibitions and art symposiums across the world Her artwork has been collected all over the globe, from USA to Japan and from UAE to Russia Alina frequently participates in art exhibitions and expositions around the world

She has many collectors who enjoy owning pieces of her art works, including those living in USA, Japan, UAE, Russia and in Europe Besides participating in exhibitions she is organising art exhibitions in Croatia which are becoming increasingly popular year in year out

In 2019 Alina Gishyan has earned the title of Folk Master of Republic of Armenia and represents modern Armenian art on a global stage