First Lenin, Now the Big Brother
The Big Brother - the large screen in the Republic Square of Yerevan has been silent for 3 months now. Apparently the capital of Armenia cannot generate enough advertising revenue, for the AD Technology advertising company to keep it running. So what’s it going to be? I caught a discussion on the AR TV two days ago, as to what should be done to the TV, and what kind of a statue would replace it. So even if it’s not really decided yet, the Big Brother will most likely follow Lenin, to go lie down somewhere in the dust.
I don’t even know if I ever liked it or no, but now, that it’s gone, I feel something’s wasted. The Google search sent me to an article by ArmeniaNow and the days when it had just been put up there. Looks like the TV survived about two years?
When I pulled out my mobile to take a photo of the Big Black Billboard the two girls walking past looked at it in surprise: “Did you know it’s gone?” asked one of them. “Aye, it’s gone!” noted the other.
“So what?” I shouted silently - in my mind. It’s just another idol - dead. It’s just another pretence of westernization leaving us… or to be more pragmatic, just another business idea, which doesn’t work in Armenia. “So what?”.
I’ve been visiting Armenia regularly since 2001, doing some church-related humanitarian work out of Norway. I was excited to see that large cross having replaced Lenin as I thought of it. I was disappointed when it disappeared, and even more when replaced by that noicy, commercial, ugly screen. Looking forward to some creative, artistic, true armenian expression on that square, good luck to you!
Comment by Ola Simon — 11/22/2006 @ 5:33 pm
Too bad that the TV is turned off now. I liked it except for the volume after 9 pm. I hope the authorities don’t put any statue there if they decide to remove the screen. There is no need to emulate what the commies had done to the Republic Square.
Comment by nazarian — 11/22/2006 @ 9:16 pm
Great opportunity. Someone should buy the darn thing, and place it in a open area, sell tickets and call it an American drive in.
Comment by Jacob Ross — 11/23/2006 @ 3:29 am
I heard the advertisement today on radio, which says that there will be a public discussion of the possible statue in the Architects Union on Bagramyan Ave., on Saturday, November 25, 12:00 pm. It didn’t say clearly, but I guess there will be several small prototype statues presented there. It would be really interesting. Too bad I have another appointment on the day. I’d really like to photograph the prototypes and publish them on this blog.
Comment by Observer — 11/23/2006 @ 1:38 pm
Sorry to hear that they are going to remove it. I have spent some time watching big TV from my car. I used to park accross the square, right in front of it, turn radio on and discuss our Yerevan evening with my girlfriend. But that’s ok, my girlfriend is now my wife, and we watch TV at home. (These must have known that!…:)
As for the new statue, I have the following preferences:
Human being, standing, without any sword or AK, female (but not like the one on the monument hill), and with some lighting effects, if possible.
Comment by Հայաստանցի — 11/23/2006 @ 4:44 pm
I always thought the TV stood out of place in republic square, im glad to see it go and place a symbol of some sort that defines Armenia now as it progresses into the future…(hoping for the better!)
Comment by Nareg — 11/23/2006 @ 10:54 pm
I never liked the screen, I thought it was completely out of place and way too loud, so I am not sorry to see it go. I think there should be just a nice flower bed there, or even just plain green grass. There is no need to put any statues there. Republic Square is very nice by itself, without any statues of people or anything else. In reply to one of the previous comments, I never liked the cross either. I thought it looked out of place too.
Comment by Vahagn — 11/29/2006 @ 5:01 pm
Just posted some pictures at Sassna Dzrer blog of some monumental designs that might be considered to be constructed in Republic Square.. This acc to 169 Hours Online
Comment by Pokr Mher — 12/15/2006 @ 7:58 am
Sorry …that’s 168 Hours Online
Comment by Pokr Mher — 12/15/2006 @ 7:59 am