Fresh from their latest expedition through the monasteries and fortresses of Eastern Turkey, New York based photographers Ted Andreasian and Nune Karamyan, known professionally as Ted and Nune, are on a steadfast mission to document overlooked remnants of residual ancient Armenian cultural heritage and history.
Their work aims to visually preserve Armenian sites, large and small, and, more importantly, foster a deeper understanding of Armenian identity and history.
As Nune put it, “The end result is not just an image; it’s something that can be touched, experienced, and appreciated on a personal level.”
Ted Andreasian and Nune Karamyan met in 2010 in Armenia, bonding through their shared interests in hiking, photography, and coincidentally, growing up in families of architects.
A few years later, both committed to pursuing this passion project and everything followed suit organically. “We ended up with enough of a body of work to start showing our pieces in portfolio reviews. That led us to decide to publish a book,” said Nune.
The end result is not just an image; it’s something that can be touched, experienced, and appreciated on a personal level.
They published Stone & Candle: Armenian Monasteries in 2023—a photographic survey of over 40 Armenian monastic structures, many of which are in Artsakh. Since 2015, they have produced and exhibited several internationally recognized projects throughout Armenia, Japan, Russia, and the United States. They also opened their Hastings-on-Hudson studio last year, the grand opening of which was to celebrate the launch of their book. Here, they photograph, edit, print, and frame their pieces, in addition to hosting exhibitions of them.
Both are indeed working relentlessly to capture Armenia’s architectural heritage, no matter how obscure or far-out each church or relic may be. For their latest trip, they drove through Georgia into Turkey to capture border images of Ani. On previous travels, they’ve hiked through snowy regions of Eastern Turkey, which both described as a spiritual experience. With every trip and adventure, they unearth more treasures that keep them coming back for more. “We almost always discovered that every little stone or cross was tying us to the land and we realized—this is all that remained from the Kingdom of Cilicia.”
Right: Surp Tadevos interior. Where the altar used to be is now a view of Mush plains. The interplay of ruined arches, squinches, and exposed brick attest to their enduring beauty.
Although Ani is a UNESCO-protected site known for its remarkable architectural features, the artists felt existing images didn’t quite capture Ani’s true grandiosity. “It’s such a jaw-dropping historical presence,” shares Nune. The photographers aim to capture these sites through an architectural lens, highlighting the skillful construction of each site rather than the destruction. Both described their deep connection to the site, revealing how it symbolizes a historical divide being a stone’s throw away from the border from Armenia. “Seeing the giant crack on Earth that separates Armenia and Turkey is like a symbol of that crack in every Armenian’s heart,” Nune noted.
The duo shared that their exploration was not without challenges. Venturing from Armenia through Georgia to Turkey required extensive research, navigating borders and checkpoints, often leading to tense encounters with military personnel. Despite these hurdles, the photographers expressed a profound commitment to documenting their heritage, inspired by the tactile experience of photographing ancient stones. Nune pointed out that “when you touch the stones, you feel like they are witnesses to thousands of years of history.”
As they continue their journey, the photographers remain committed to uncovering and sharing the stories behind these ancient monasteries. In today’s world where cultural heritage is often at risk, their lens serves as a vital tool for preservation, capturing the essence of a resilient identity. Their work stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Armenian people and a reminder of the beauty that can be found among the ashes of history—as shown in the accompanying photo essay exclusive to AGBU.
Stone & Candle: Armenian Monasteries can be purchased online at the AGBU Bookstore: agbubookstore.org.
