VIRTUAL SENIOR SHOW: Nicole Tarvirdian
Throughout the years, I’ve grown a liking to how art offers various mediums and paths to take. Since I was a little girl, I was fond of painting and drawing, and due to my mother’s artistic skills, as a young adult, I wanted to continue that artistic legacy. Photography has always been my ideal way to express my feelings and artistic eye. Until I got to UCSC, creating and expressing my work through a lens expanded, which is why I chose to display a variety of my Photography projects in Santa Cruz. My experience working in the darkroom was one of the difficult, but yet rewarding and fun experiences I encountered along with amazing students, friends and faculty in UCSC. The darkroom honed my skill in highlights and contrast, while the cellar honed my digital photography skills with photoshop and other adobe programs. When Covid 19 hit, it gave me an opportunity to utilize what I’ve learned and photographed. Although the years go by and my aesthetics and taste in photography improve and change, I always have a passion for photographing genuine moments in life, whether that be with people, animals or nature. No matter my location, I have a tendency to snap a shot of something beautiful or jarring I came across that day.
Title: Fallen Soldiers
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2021
Description: “Continued Genocide by Turkey and Azerbejan”. Taken in Glendale, California. Since September 27th, 2020, Azerbaijan has started a war with Armenia, claiming our lands and our current land, Artsakh now known as, Nagorno-Karabakh. Countless amounts of brave armenian men and women volunteered to fight for our country. Many Armenian families all over the world were suffering at this time.
Title: One Of Us
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2021
Description: “Continued Genocide by Turkey and Azerbejan”. Taken in Glendale, California. A strong young woman, 22 years old and Armenian. We are forever a target to Turkey and Azerbaijan, beginning in 1915, but our culture and our people have remained strong and hopeful.
Title: Not One Inch
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2021
Description: “Continued Genocide by Turkey and Azerbejan”. Taken in Glendale, California. November 9th, 2020. A ceasefire agreement was signed between Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, and Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev. This “ended” all hostilities in Artsakh , known as Nagorno Karabakh. Along with claiming our land, Artsakh, as Azerbaijan’s land. That night, Armenians gathered at the Armenian Consulate in LA to peacefully protest for their homeland and pay respect to the 19 - 21 year old soldiers who have passed fighting for our right to live.
Title: Diasporan Warriors
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2021
Description: “Continued Genocide by Turkey and Azerbejan”. Taken in Glendale, California. Though Artsakh and Nagorno-Karabakh were taken from us, we still had hope, fighting for the thousands of soldiers that fought for us. They hung Armenian flags saying, “We Will Win”.
Title: Breath Of Fresh Air
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. This fish was photographed on the UCSC campus, near a peaceful fish pond. My project was based off of reflections, and the water was beautifully reflecting the daylight shining on the pond that day.
Title: Tunnel Of Love
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. This was a reflection of a store I visited with my friends in Santa Cruz’s town. I found the mirror across the neon sign to create an illusionary pathway or tunnel towards the middle of the hallway.
Title: Mosaic Reflection
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. My mind likes to wander and pay attention to reflections throughout the day, and the light was shining through these mosaic tiles so majestically, it felt like I was in a different place. Although this was taken at the Stevenson Dining Hall, reflecting this mosaic resembles a Church with massive mosaic windows.
Title: Tranquility
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. A rainy day always results in aesthetically pleasing reflections, such as the Autumn trees reflecting on the tables outside a library. It brings the mind as ease after a rainy day, like a soothing breeze on a summer day.
Title: The Light That I Can’t Find
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. At just the right angle, I managed to create an Illusion of lights hanging on the outside tree’s. As if it were two worlds colliding and making a reality of its own, but if you were to look at the tree in a different perspective, those lights wouldn't be there.
Title: Mystical
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. To discover that hanging lights, huge windows and the outside forest can create a beautiful reflection, was like heaven on earth. Especially on a gloomy morning, it brought out a mystical feeling to it, reminding me of the hanging lights in the Harry Potter Movies.
Title: In Memoriam
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Reflections”. Taken in Santa Cruz. A section of the library filled with history of different cultures, I captured reflective light off of the windows. It’s as if those lights are the descendants of these cultures, viewing their history.
Title: With A Touch Of Style
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Autumn Feelings”. Taken in Santa Cruz. On a cold, fall day, walking through town, black heeled boots are crucial to be stylish and warm.
Title: Warm On A Cold Night
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Autumn Feelings”. Taken in Glendale, California. Those cold nights out with friends during fall is one of the main reasons why I adore this season. Blowing the hot steam from the tea, enjoying the warmth from the warm cup, is what makes the feeling of joy on cold nights.
Title: Sweater Weather
Medium: Digital Photograph
Year: 2020
Description: “Autumn Feelings”. Taken in Santa Cruz. My friend and roommate decided to walk around campus for the fresh, crisp air during the night. Our sweaters kept us warm, making the walk feel cozy.