Irresistible Art

Visual studies professor and artist Varujan Boghosian rarely lets his students visit his studio to see his works in progress. One look at the sprawling room, cluttered with objects collected and stored there for more than 20 years, and he thinks they'd be hooked. "Their response would be so positive," he says. "The idea of making constructions is too attractive an art form." He's afraid the students might recognize children's toys among the many objects he uses in his works and "be so captivated" that they would try to mimic his style, he says. He would rather have them learn the basics first, as they do in his drawing class.

Some of his former students have learned the basics well. "We have a respectable number of graduates working now as sculptors, painters and graphic designers," Boghosian reports. "Some have had one-person New York shows, good reviews they're credible professionals."

As he lectures, Boghosian collects information from his students as prolifically as he collects materials for his work from Italian flea markets and antique shops. He'll ask them about anything that comes to mind: their high schools, favorite foods, favorite books. "This allows the students to exchange ideas through conversation, and builds a sense of camaraderie in the class. And sooner or later," he says,"art comes into the conversation."

The Hood Museum will host an exhibition of Boghosian's work, marking his 20th year with the College, in the spring of 1989.