Head of the project and exhibition curator:
Marina Hakobyan

Exhibition coordinator:
Amalya Hovsepyan

The National Gallery of Armenia continues its project “Story of a Restored Exhibit”, and this year highlights the restoration of a unique and symbolic artefact: the beloved umbrella of Sergey Parajanov.

The artist’s elegant Thai umbrella was transferred from the Sergey Parajanov Museum to the Restoration Department of the National Gallery in 2022 in a severely deteriorated state. Today, following a complex, multi-phase restoration process, it is once again on display for visitors to admire. Alongside the umbrella, visitors can view a summary video and a series of working photographs documenting the lengthy restoration process, complete with explanatory notes. The exhibition also features thematic displays, the animated film “Carmen” by director Naira Muradyan, an excerpt from the documentary “Parajanov the Rebel” by director Patrick Casals, and historically and artistically significant photographs from the collection of the Sergey Parajanov Museum. Also on display are original photographs by Sergey Mechitov.

The first exhibition hall recreates a corner of the restoration studio, showcasing the actual tools and materials used in the process. The second hall displays the restored umbrella and an animation reproducing its ornaments and details (author: Ashot Marabyan, animation: Narek Nazaryan). The exhibition also has an interactive section, within which visitors can create their own interpretation of the "Parajanov" umbrella, either through collage or illustration.