Comments on: Interview: Khajag Apelian

By: 1penetration

1penetration — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 02:07:27 +0000

2emulate…

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By: Arek | Typeface Review | Typographica

Arek | Typeface Review | Typographica — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 05:41:21 +0000

[…] delivering a high level of polish. This is very difficult to pull off, especially for a student. Apelian clearly has “the eye” and his KABK instructors surely played a role in quickly maturing his […]

By: Michael Charchaflian

Michael Charchaflian — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:56:12 +0000

Dear Khajag:
You are the answer to my prayers and probably others as well!
Since I immersed myself in the Armenian language, seven years ago, I found it very difficult to distinguish certain characters such as the գ, զ, դ, ղ, and շ. It is also funny sometimes when reading a text in front of people for the first time because some words exist with one or two close characters in common (i.e. շատ,զատ,դատ,գար,գառ…etc.)

As I am preparing a short version for our Armenian Mass and songs for children I believe AREK will be very appropriate. So I look forward to the availability of your font especially with the Latin counterpart.

Meanwhile, if you can recommend an appropriate type other than BARZ, I would be most appreciative.

Blessings always,
Michael

By: Shogho

Shogho — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:30:30 +0000

Khajo my brother & my friend!!
so proud of u, love u shad

By: Nina Stössinger

Nina Stössinger — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:31:43 +0000

Khajag, warm thanks for getting back to that question!
To me this whole issue of interweaving cultural voices is deeply fascinating, both in its complexity and its cultural reverberations (and especially in type). It’s intriguing how Arek was designed by somebody «rooted» in so diverse cultural backgrounds, and brings them together to spark something new. That opens up both interesting possibilities and complex questions; like, what sorts of concepts/ideas can successfully be «transported» from one script / one culture to another; and how do they work in their new context? I’d certainly enjoy more discussion about these sorts of things, here or elsewhere. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :-)

By: Hrant Papazian

Hrant Papazian — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:55:18 +0000

Khajag, thank you for the thoughtful reply.

To me cross-cultural migration is not only unavoidable, but desirable. The question in my mind has always been: Does it always have a good result? And if not, how do we control it? We can certainly prop up a culture via artificial protectionism — but who does that really serve? This of course is part of the Globalization debate (which is no longer the Flavor of the Month — is that still Global Warming, or is that over too?) where type has a quiet but powerful role to play.

Hmmm, sounds like somebody should write an article. ;-)

By: Khajag

Khajag — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:39:32 +0000

Thank you guys for all the lovely comments on Arek, I really appreciate your support.

To answer Nina’s question, it is indeed very interesting to trace back one’s conscious or unconscious influences as they reveal rich parts of interweaving history. Most of the early Armenian metal type was cut by European masters such as Robert Granjon and Johann Michael Fleischman. This obviously led to the introduction of western principles in Armenian type and printed books.

In my case, being a scholar of Type and Media and having lived most of my life in an Arab country, the influences that led to Arek are certainly numerous. I am not sure whether I could tell which is Dutch, Armenian, Arabic, conscious or unconscious. I hope I was able to answer your question. :-)

By: Taline

Taline — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:12:11 +0000

Go Khajag, so proud of you…

By: roubina khayat

roubina khayat — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:42:05 +0000

Shnorhavor ella :)! lavakouyn paremaghtoutunners abaka dzrakirnout

By: Meguerditch Apelian

Meguerditch Apelian — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:16:54 +0000

Congratulations Son , we are very proud of you. keep going on ‚wish you more success in the future.
Love you