Thread by @photojene, Since #ArmenianHistoryMonth just passed, I want us to shift our focus to [...]

Since #ArmenianHistoryMonth just passed, I want us to shift our focus to the present. There are so many Armenians today who are preserving/progressing our culture thru art, storytelling, etc. & they deserve acknowledgment!

Contemporary Armenian Creatives/Storytellers: A Thread

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1. @marybasmadjian - Comedian/Actress
Ofc I have to start w/ my big sis!

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💓" title="Beating heart" aria-label="Emoji: Beating heart"> Mary AKA the “Funny Armenian Girl” has been doing comedy for the past 10 years. She is best known for her hilarious skits portraying Armenian caricatures thru alter egos such as the notorious Vartoush Tota

1. @marybasmadjian - Comedian/ActressOfc I have to start w/ my big sis!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

Mary AKA the “Funny Armenian Girl” has been doing comedy for the past 10 years. She is best known for her hilarious skits portraying Armenian caricatures thru alter egos such as the notorious Vartoush Tota" title="1. @marybasmadjian - Comedian/ActressOfc I have to start w/ my big sis!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💓" title="Beating heart" aria-label="Emoji: Beating heart"> Mary AKA the “Funny Armenian Girl” has been doing comedy for the past 10 years. She is best known for her hilarious skits portraying Armenian caricatures thru alter egos such as the notorious Vartoush Tota">

2. @missmarisaaa / IG: tutumarisa - Model/Recording Artist
Marisa is the first Armenian model I ever worked with; she’s hella passionate and so powerful in front of the camera. Now based in LA, she’s working on music and modeling, and is involved with activist group @joinTheFF_

3. @jaimesuny / IG: jaisuny - Model
Represented by creative agency Four Styling Group, Jaime is a Philadelphia-based Armenian model who I had the privilege of photographing a few months ago. She’s an absolute natural and wonderful to work with!

4. @degausser / IG: shakeh.draws - Visual Artist
I got to meet this incredible, versatile artist at the RAW Artists showcase in January, and let me tell you - her work looks even better in person

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4. @degausser / IG: shakeh.draws - Visual ArtistI got to meet this incredible, versatile artist at the RAW Artists showcase in January, and let me tell you - her work looks even better in person https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

" title="4. @degausser / IG: shakeh.draws - Visual ArtistI got to meet this incredible, versatile artist at the RAW Artists showcase in January, and let me tell you - her work looks even better in person https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😍" title="Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes">">

5. @alexiakhodanian / IG: _alexiadraws - Visual Artist
Alexia is the artist behind some of my favorite projects of all time. Her project “Marking My Race” and animated short film “...And Then She Kissed Me!” resonate so much

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5. @alexiakhodanian / IG: _alexiadraws - Visual ArtistAlexia is the artist behind some of my favorite projects of all time. Her project “Marking My Race” and animated short film “...And Then She Kissed Me!” resonate so much https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

" title="5. @alexiakhodanian / IG: _alexiadraws - Visual ArtistAlexia is the artist behind some of my favorite projects of all time. Her project “Marking My Race” and animated short film “...And Then She Kissed Me!” resonate so much https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">">

6. @aniacopian - Filmmaker & Content Creator
Ani has essentially mastered the intersection of filmmaking and social media content creation which has led her to work with big brands like Red Bull & Samsung. She also directed a music vid for @carlyraejepsen & has done so much more!

7. @annastayziaa - YouTuber/Influencer
Anna uses social media to promote positivity, healing, and intersectional feminism in the Armenian community. Such powerful and important work that she’s doing!

8. @lianaagh - Journalist
Liana amplifies the voices of various marginalized and under-reported communities, and documents the diasporan Armenian experience through food with her project Dining in Diaspora

9. @aratherat - Clothing Brand
Ara the Rat designs creative and comedic merchandise that reflects the beautiful Armenian culture. Love the quote that’s on their website: “Respect the past / Consume the present / Create the future”

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9. @aratherat - Clothing BrandAra the Rat designs creative and comedic merchandise that reflects the beautiful Armenian culture. Love the quote that’s on their website: “Respect the past / Consume the present / Create the future” https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧿" title="Nazar amulet" aria-label="Emoji: Nazar amulet">" title="9. @aratherat - Clothing BrandAra the Rat designs creative and comedic merchandise that reflects the beautiful Armenian culture. Love the quote that’s on their website: “Respect the past / Consume the present / Create the future” https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🐀" title="Rat" aria-label="Emoji: Rat">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧿" title="Nazar amulet" aria-label="Emoji: Nazar amulet">">

10. @aerebuni / IG: anahitoferebuni - Artist/Writer
Anahit of Erebuni highlights the powerful stories of incredible Armenian women in history and in the present through digital illustrations, interviews, and more.

11. @tiffanytoldyou / IG: tiffany_told_you_ - Comedian
Tiffany sheds light on her multicultural background through hilariously relatable memes and videos while always advocating for girl power

12. @mibarakiva - Director/Author
Michael has directed numerous theatre productions at the Hangar Theatre and The Upstart Creatures in NY, and has written 2 Armenian-LGBT-themed books. Met him at his reading at Abril Books a several months ago - such a nice man!

13. @nancyagabian - Writer/Teacher/Literary Organizer
For several years, Nancy has been creating performance art and writing various works that capture the queer Armenian-American woman’s experience. I recently read her memoir “Me as her again,” and I highly recommend it!

14. IG: shelovescollective - Artists/Activists
She Loves Collective is a group of Armenian women creatives that promote social change through the combination of art and activism

15. IG: natalie_shirinian - Filmmaker
Natalie Shirinian is the founder of NES Creative Agency and Femme on Feast, and is an award-winning filmmaker. She’s currently working on a lesbian-Armenian-themed film titled "Yerevan" and I’m so excited for it

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15. IG: natalie_shirinian - FilmmakerNatalie Shirinian is the founder of NES Creative Agency and Femme on Feast, and is an award-winning filmmaker. She’s currently working on a lesbian-Armenian-themed film titled "Yerevan" and I’m so excited for ithttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

" title="15. IG: natalie_shirinian - FilmmakerNatalie Shirinian is the founder of NES Creative Agency and Femme on Feast, and is an award-winning filmmaker. She’s currently working on a lesbian-Armenian-themed film titled "Yerevan" and I’m so excited for ithttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤩" title="Star-struck" aria-label="Emoji: Star-struck">">

16. IG: robertarjoyan - Filmmaker
Founder of @garunafilmgroup, Robert creates films that capture that Armenian/Armenian-American experience. His short film “I Promised Her Life” and documentary “When My Sorrow Died” about Armen Ra are my personal favorites!

17. @armenra - Musician
Armen Ra is a Persian-Armenian musician who plays the theremin, an instrument as magically unique as he is. I encourage y’all to read @nprmusic’s recent feature on him, then watch “When My Sorrow Died” documentary to learn more about him!

18. @gasontwittawuut / IG: gpushian - Singer/Podcaster
Gasia is an amazing singer and creator of the What The Foreign podcast, where she discusses various topics, including issues that concern the Armenian community. She also takes dope self-portraits and is overall so creative!

19. @ArmenianEnough - Podcaster
As the name suggests, this podcast is centered on discussions about what makes a person "Armenian enough," and features guests of so many different backgrounds, professions, etc. Y& #39;all absolutely need to check it out!

20. @kooyrigs - Digital Media Collective
Founded by @KEurdekian, Kooyrigs uses the power of social media to connect Armenian women, discuss important issues regarding sexuality and womanhood, and highlight Armenian women who are doing amazing things. & they have the cutest merch!

And that& #39;s all for my thread! There are SO many more Armenians out there doing great things, these are just some of the ones I thought of! Feel free to keep adding to this thread if you& #39;d like

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