Vartan Avakian's 'A Curse that Turns Gold into Ladybugs' at Marfa Projects examines Armenian dispossession through maps.

Vartan Avakian's exhibition, 'A Curse that Turns Gold into Ladybugs,' at Marfa' Projects in Beirut, delves into Armenian history through the lens of cartographic artifacts and protective charms. The display includes 17 historical Armenian maps, recreated as cyanotypes, which Avakian gathered after visiting his family's village in eastern Türkiye. His relatives cautioned him against disclosing his Armenian heritage due to local suspicions regarding ancestral gold. These maps are part of the series 'Treasure Maps for Haunting Landscapes I-XVII' (2025), depicting village life symbols such as churches and farms, alongside enigmatic symbols like three-headed creatures and snakes. Three installations, 'Hmayk (Charms, Curses and Spells)' (2025), reference legends of Armenian treasure transforming into insects, with spells inscribed on rice paper and wrapped in gold brass. A video piece titled 'Waswas' features a treasure hunter alongside a 2022 news segment with Kadir Janpolat from the Ottoman Hearths, asserting that Armenian gold could significantly enhance Turkey's economy. The exhibition, which runs until 16 October, underscores the enduring conspiracy theories surrounding hidden wealth and the memories of dispossession from the Armenian Genocide. Marfa' Projects is situated in a serene cul-de-sac on the fringes of Beirut's Port District.