Magazine Fall 2008 Journey is the destination

24 August 2008, 16:59
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Journey is the destination

Vahe Berberian, a modern day “Renaissance Man” - an artist, playwright, actor, and a man with a heap of creative ideas, the realization of which takes his whole existence, becomes a cultural icon of classic proportions, an Armenian Don Quixote - combination of nobility and desire to defend his beliefs.

A recognized artist, writer, comedian, and (as if that was not overwhelming enough) - journalism major honors graduate, dear Vahe should have been intimidating, but was not. When two paint-covered hands gathered my entire being in a warm embrace and were accompanied by a big, gentle smile, I knew I was “home”. His hospitality is grounded in more than impeccable manners, it is his philosophy. In Vahe, hospitality takes on a more elaborate form; he “welcomes” people, ideas, and concepts into his mind and heart. He assimilates and incorporates all of this into his art to produce something intangible and beyond definition, as art should not be defined, for it seeks no definition (and on this point, Vahe and I are in perfect agreement).
I entered his studio. A massive, dark brown canvas waiting to enter battle with the multidimensional, charismatic artist stood in a void, while everything around it screamed of life and art. A side room held Parajanov’s photo; numerous ethnic nick-knacks, and a massive green statue of Buddha on the bureau caught my eye. The background was good old Rammstein.
The imported Lebanese coffee, fetched by Vahe himself, and cigarettes followed. And as dear Vahe grew philosophical the foreseen “intellectual jousting” adventure took its course, and I realized that what I would learn there nobody could take away will be a treasure always. Charged with so much passion and anger, in this case without negative connotation, Vahe spoke.
Later I was welcomed into another room to watch a Serj Tankian video, “The Sky is Over” where Vahe “penetrates” the canvas transferring a blank into a sky that Saint-Exupéry’s “little prince” reveled in. Among his many gifts, he is an entertainer…
The dialogue started when Vahe addressed me in beautiful western “barbar” and, as sad and ridiculous as it may be, I acknowledged that I speak Russian better than Armenian. That is to say the dialogue started with an answer to a question that had not yet been asked…
I think for me becoming an Armenian, it was a conscious decision. I decided to be an Armenian. As I traveled among hippies I realized that I have something – a cultural depth, a perspective that adds richness to my identity. My being Armenian adds certain dimension to my personality. The more languages I speak the more dimensions I have as an individual.

But when you talk about hippies, isn’t that about something universal? How did you maintain your national identity in that environment?
Not only did I maintain my identity, I discovered it. I realized that by sticking to my identity I have a “gate” that opens to particular knowledge, wisdom, and cultural treasures. This is transferred to me through my identity, and if I do not claim it, it will be lost. Being an Armenian never held me back. It doesn't mean you have to be a conservative person who lives within the norms of society. I think, I owe a lot to my cultural identity.

Tell me about Armenia, anything there is to say…
Very old nation, old history, and depth. One of the things that captures me about Armenia is the sense of history, especially for someone who lives in LA, which is completely devoid of history or sense of history. History is important to one’s identity; you realize that you have a reference point. It is just as important as knowing your mother, it is a clue to who you are. You have to discover your own history to know who you are now, today.

Well, you are a writer, a performer, a playwright, a comedian, an artist, an Armenian, a husband, a brother, but there has to be a word that captures you.
I would say I am first and foremost a human being. All my life I have done three separate things that feed off each other – painting, writing, and entertainment. And I have been lucky that I have been able to pursue all three in a way where none of them lagged because of the other. My father always said that I cannot do all three things and still be successful, and, possibly, if I chose one direction I would have gotten to where I am lot sooner, but I think my art has the maturity that only comes from these three art forms working together.

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