Christopher Atamian Explained

Christopher Atamian
Occupation:Critic, writer, curator, filmmaker and translator
Birth Place:New York, United States
Language:EnglishArmenianFrench

Christopher Peter Atamian is a New York-based literary critic, writer, translator, curator and filmmaker who was the recipient of the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He has translated works from French and Armenian into English including; The Bois de Vincennes (2013), The Rosy Future of War (1999), Fifty Years of Armenian Literature in France (2016), and Trashland (2023).

Born to immigrants, Christopher grew up and studied in the United States where he received his BA in literature from Harvard University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich as a Fulbright fellow. He then studied at USC School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia Business School, where he received an MBA in international media. In 2013, he was awarded the Tölölyan Literary Prize for translating Nigoghos Sarafian's The Bois de Vincennes and in 2017 he received a second Tölölyan Literary Prize for his debut poetry collection A Poet in Washington Heights (2018).

Biography

Early life: background and education

Atamian was born in New York City to immigrant Swiss-Italian and Lebanese-Armenian parents.[1] He studied at the Lycée Français de New York and graduated from Collegiate School in 1985,[2] where he was a National Merit Semifinalist[3] . Atamian earned his BA in Literature at Harvard University (1985–1989).[4] [5] He later proceeded to the Swiss National Polytechnic in Zürich on a Fulbright Fellowship. He is also an alumnus of USC Film School and Columbia Business School, where he earned his MBA in International Media.

Career breakthrough: curation and filmmaking

Atamian is the co-founder and curator of Atamian Hovsepian Curatorial Practice, a gallery and cultural center located in New York City. AHCP seeks to exhibit the full spectrum of creators including women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, SWANA and other artists and practices whose methods, forms and expressions have been unrecognized or marginalized.[6] Atamian has directed and produced short videos and films including Sarafian's Desire, a short video based on his translation of Nigoghos Sarafian's The Bois de Vincennes.[7] His work has also been screened at the 2009 Venice Art Biennale as part of Voulu/Obligé Armenian Diaspora Pavilion as part of Berlin's Underconstruction Artist collective.[8]

Atamian co-produced the OBIE Award-winning play Trouble in Paradise(2006),[9] Dear Armen (2014),[10] MTV music videos, the dance film Psychic Data Mining and an experimental film For You, My Beloved Grandparents, which screened at the 2005 Yerevan International Film Festival (now called Golden Apricot International Film Festival).[11]

Atamian has authored several screenplays, including The Plagiarist, Resurrection Myth/Harnoomi Arasbel[12] which was screened at the 2021 ARPA International Film Festival (Arpa IFF),[13] 2021 Tokyo International Short Film Festival and received Gulbenkian Foundation’s 2020 Be Heard! Prize.[14]

Publications

Translations: from French to English

Translations: from Armenian to English

Writing career

Creative writing

Atamian's first book of poetry A Poet in Washington Heights[20] received the 2017 Tölölyan Literary Prize.[21] His essays have appeared in; The New Criterion,[22] The Hye-Phen Magazine,[23] [24] [25] Rusted Radishes: Beirut Literary and Art Journal,[26] The Los Angeles Review of Books,[27] The Harpy Hybrid Review[28] and Yerevan Magazine.[29] His essay As I Lay Dying: AIDS and Perec's Endotic was awarded second prize in the Question Your Teaspoons international essay competition, co-sponsored by IALA and Oxford University.[30]

Journalism and criticism

Atamian co-published and edited KGB Magazine. He is the former dance critic for the New York Press and has written for The New York Times Book Review,[31] Vogue,[32] New York, Dance Magazine,[33] The Brooklyn Rail,[34] HuffPost,[35] Scenes Media,[36] The Armenian Mirror-Spectator,[37] and the non-profit online weekly magazine EVN Report.[38]

View

Armenian and LGBTQ

Atamian had been a supporter of the LGBTQ community serving as the president of AGLA NY (an organization which fights to help bridge the understanding gap between the LGBTQ communities in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora and its respective societies-at-large) for two consecutive terms.[39] He was profiled in the Aurora Prize's 100 Lives as one of the most prominent members of Armenian diaspora.

Awards and grants

Atamian was awarded the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.[40] He has also received two Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation grants for translation.[41] In 2013, he was awarded the Tölölyan Literary Prize[42] [43] for his translation of Nigoghos Sarafian's The Bois de Vincennes.[44] [45]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview with Christopher Atamian . 27 February 2018 . 15 February 2024 . Creative Armenia . en . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://www.creativearmenia.org/interview-with-christopher-atamian . live .
  2. Web site: King . Elisabeth . 25 February 2015 . LFNY Alumni are a Wonderful Network All Over the World . 15 February 2024 . . en-US.
  3. News: 1985-09-22 . LIST OF MERIT SEMIFINALISTS . 2024-05-16 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  4. Web site: Harvard Class of '89 - books . 18 February 2024 . Harvard University . 18 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240218173454/https://www.harvard89.org/sc-books . live .
  5. Web site: Harvard Class of '89 - 35th Committee . 18 February 2024 . Harvard University . 18 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240218173454/https://www.harvard89.org/35th-Committee . live .
  6. Web site: About Us Atamian Hovsepian Curatorial Practice New York . 4 February 2024 . Atamian Hovsepian . en . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://www.atamianhovsepian.art/about-us . live .
  7. Manoukian . Jennifer . 22 March 2012 . Nigoghos Sarafian: The Bois de Vincennes . Armenian Review . English . 53 . 1–4 . 212–217.
  8. Web site: Christopher Atamian Artists . 18 February 2024 . underconstructionhome.net . de.
  9. Web site: Christopher Atamian . 13 March 2024 . Aurora Humanitarian Initiative . en . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131142/https://auroraprize.com/en/christopher-atamian . live .
  10. Web site: Theater: Dear Armen . . 13 March 2024.
  11. Web site: 2005 PR . 4 February 2024 . gaiff.am . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102632/http://gaiff.am/2005pr . live .
  12. Web site: Ara Oshagan - Resurrection Myth . 2024-04-01 . araoshagan.net . en-US.
  13. Web site: IFF . Arpa . 8 November 2021 . Resurrection Myth by Ara Oshagan (2021) . 1 February 2024 . Arpa International Film Festival . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201135542/https://www.arpafilmfestival.com/short-film-ressurection-myth-by-ara-oshagan-2021-arpa-iff/ . live .
  14. Web site: vcunha . 2020-07-27 . You Were Heard . 2024-04-01 . Armenian Communities . en-US.
  15. Web site: Literature_News . 2 December 2017 . Christopher Atamian wins the 2017 Tölölyan Literature Prize . 1 February 2024 . Literature News . en-GB . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201140803/https://literaturenews.in/awards/christopher-atamian-wins-2017-tololyan-literature-prize/ . live .
  16. Web site: zohrabcenter . 15 May 2017 . 20th Century Armenian Literature in France. Book Presentation by Christopher Atamian. Tuesday, May 23 7PM. . 1 February 2024 . The Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://zohrabcenter.org/2017/05/15/20th-century-armenian-literature-in-france-book-presentation-by-christopher-atamian/ . live .
  17. Book: Donikian, Denis . Trashland by Denis Donikian: Translated from the French by Christopher Atamian . 979-8-9859692-7-6 . Nauset Press . 2023 . English.
  18. Web site: Sarafian . Arpi . 1 December 2023 . Review: Denis Donikian's Trashland: 'Der Voghormia. Der...' . 15 February 2024 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215200644/https://mirrorspectator.com/2023/11/30/review-denis-donikians-trashland-der-voghormia-der/ . live .
  19. Web site: Sarafian . Arpi . 18 August 2022 . Nigoghos Sarafian's The Bois de Vincennes: A Revelation . 1 February 2024 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://mirrorspectator.com/2022/08/18/nigoghos-sarafians-the-bois-de-vincennes-a-revelation/ . live .
  20. Book: A Poet in Washington Heights Christopher Atamian . 978-1976483936. en . Atamian . Christopher . 7 January 2018 . Nauset Press .
  21. Web site: Janigian . Aris . The Armenian Poet of Washington Heights . 23 May 2018 . 1 February 2024 . The Armenian Weekly . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131037/https://armenianweekly.com/2018/05/23/the-armenian-poet-of-washington-heights/ . live .
  22. Web site: Christopher Atamian . 1 February 2024 . The New Criterion . en . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131037/https://newcriterion.com/author/christopher-atamian . live .
  23. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . Oshagn . Ara . Ghosts in Bourj Hammoud: The Ghetto as Queer Space The Hye-Phen . 1 February 2024 . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://www.thehyephenmag.com/ghosts-in-bourj-hammoud-the-ghetto-as-queer-space/ . live .
  24. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . Johnny Goes to War The Hye-Phen . 2024-04-01 . en-US.
  25. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . You can’t Marry Badiyya! The Hye-Phen . 2024-04-01 . en-US.
  26. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . 2022-03-14 . As I Lay Dying: AIDS and Perec’s Endotic . 2024-04-01 . Rusted Radishes . en-US.
  27. Web site: Christopher Atamian . 1 February 2024 . Los Angeles Review of Books . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://lareviewofbooks.org/contributor/christopher-atamian/ . live .
  28. Web site: Anush Uhllah!: Christmas in Morningside Heights – Harpy Hybrid Review . 1 February 2024 . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/http://www.harpyhybridreview.org/hybrid_works/anush-uhllah-christmas-in-morningside-heights/ . live .
  29. Web site: Քրիստոֆեր Աթամյան․ "Տրամվայների սիրահարը" . 1 February 2024 . Երևան . hy . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://evnmag.com/articles/qristofer-atamyan-tramvayneri-sirahary.html . live .
  30. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . 14 March 2022 . As I Lay Dying: AIDS and Perec's Endotic . 1 February 2024 . Rusted Radishes . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://www.rustedradishes.com/as-i-lay-dying-aids-and-perecs-endotic/ . live .
  31. Web site: Christopher Atamian . 5 February 2024 . www.nytimes.com . en . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://www.nytimes.com/search?query=christopher+atamian . live .
  32. Web site: Atamian . Christopher . Books: Family Tree Vogue MARCH 2001 . 5 February 2024 . Vogue The Complete Archive . en-US . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://archive.vogue.com/article/2001/3/books-family-tree . live .
  33. Web site: 3 August 2020 . Dance Magazine . 1 February 2024 . Dance Magazine . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://www.dancemagazine.com/author/christopheratamian/ . live .
  34. Web site: The Brooklyn Rail . 5 February 2024 . The Brooklyn Rail . en-US . 29 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929204305/https://brooklynrail.org/contributor/Christopher-Atamian . live .
  35. Web site: Christopher Atamian HuffPost . 1 February 2024 . www.huffpost.com . en . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131035/https://www.huffpost.com/author/catamian-829 . live .
  36. Web site: Christopher Atamian SCENES . 1 February 2024 . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://scenesmedia.com/author/christopher-atamian/ . live .
  37. Web site: 4 January 2024 . Christopher Atamian, Author at The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . 1 February 2024 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://mirrorspectator.com/author/christopher-atamian/ . live .
  38. Web site: Two Documentaries, One Velvet Revolution . 25 February 2024 . EVN Report . en-US . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215200645/https://evnreport.com/ . live .
  39. Web site: Weekly Staff . 8 March 2013 . AGLA NY to Present 'Dealing with Difference' . 5 February 2024 . The Armenian Weekly . en-US . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://armenianweekly.com/2013/03/08/agla-ny-to-present-dealing-with-difference/ . live .
  40. Web site: 7 Armenians to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honor – Asbarez.com . 15 February 2024 . . en-US . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131036/https://asbarez.com/7-armenians-to-receive-ellis-island-medal-of-honor/ . live .
  41. Annual report 2013 . . 230 . 6 February 2024 . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://content.gulbenkian.pt/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/29203136/AnnualReport2013.pdf . live .
  42. Web site: Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society's Eastern Regional Executive Announces the 2022 Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature Hamazkayin Eastern Region USA . . 5 February 2024 . en-US . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/http://hamazkayin-usa.org/tololyan/ . live .
  43. Web site: 7 December 2017 . Christopher Atamian Poetry Collection A Poet in Washington Heights Wins Tölölyan Prize . 15 February 2024 . . en-US . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215200644/https://mirrorspectator.com/2017/12/07/christopher-atamian-poetry-collection-poet-washington-heights-wins-tololyan-prize/ . live .
  44. Web site: 4 June 2013 . Hamazkayin Announces Winner of Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature . 5 February 2024 . . en-US . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102632/https://armenianweekly.com/2013/06/04/hamazkayin-announces-winner-of-tololyan-prize-in-contemporary-literature/ . live .
  45. Web site: Hamazkayin Announces Winner of Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature . 5 February 2024 . en-US . . 3 June 2013 . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102631/https://asbarez.com/hamazkayin-announces-winner-of-tololyan-prize-in-contemporary-literature/ . live .

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