Edited by Vazken Khatchig Davidian, Susan Paul Patti and Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian The Treasured Objects portrayed within provide pathways to visit the lives of Armenians 100 years ago, inspiring connections, dreams, ideas as we imagine the people who once used these items. These Treasured Objects came together first as an exhibition of household items that had accompanied "their" families in the great dispersion of Armenians from their historic homelands. Some escaped earlier but many belong to survivors of the genocide of 1915 or the destruction of Smyrna (Izmir) in 1922. Here we are given diverse perspectives and experiences from a shared past, richly illustrated with images themselves evocative of both past and present. In these textiles, pots, kitchen implements, books, documents and fine jewelry, we sense the presence of the previous owners and their traces in our lives today. Armenian Institute (2012)
