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Daraz: Amanor. 2016. Installation and Ceremonial Performance. Found Fabric, Cotton Yarns, Handwoven Cotton, Velvet, Felt, Parsley, Eggs. Photos: Oksana Mirzoyan

Temporary temple spaces were created to hold participatory rituals drawing on pre-Christian practices in the Armenian tradition. Two temple clerics were dressed in ceremonial attire inspired by traditional Armenian costume with covered faces to draw focus away from the human element and encourage spiritual communion.

Amanor is an ancient Armenian New Year celebration occurring twice in the calendar year. Once for the Spring Equinox and another at the time of harvest.

Participants were invited by clerics to receive the blessing of Spring in exchange for meditating on the following:

In the past year, what in your life has passed? From that death what seed has emerged to bring new life?

Offerings on two strips of fabric, black for what has passed and green for new life were tied to overhead cords. After adding their offerings, participants were anointed with fresh parsley and received the gift of an egg, traditionally dyed with onion skins, as symbols of the new life of the Spring season.

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Temple Cleric I. 2016. Handwoven Cotton, Velvet, Felt.

Daraz: Amanor(installation detail). 2016. Found Fabric, Parsley, Eggs.

Temple Cleric II. 2016. Handwoven Cotton, Velvet, Felt.

Daraz: Amanor(installation detail). 2016. Found Fabric.

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Daraz: Amar