A full-length animated movie is being created in Armenia about the genius, 13th-14th century, architect Momik. All of the artwork is created with aquarelle (watercolors) painted on a blank canvas by one artist Hayk Sayadian who also wrote the script, directs, animates and does voice-overs in the film. Hayk describes his endeavor: “This is my canvas, I’m an artist, and I draw my film on the canvas.” The soundtrack is created by a close friend of the author a very talented young composer Garegin Arakelyan.
Momik was an accomplished architect who lived during the late middle ages. He has created several marvels of Armenian architecture. Most of his masterpieces are found in the Vayots Dzor Region of Armenia. Like the Shrine of the Holy Mother on the rocky peak in Areni and Zorats temple – a unique architectural creation that does not have a canonical representation. For centuries this temple served as a place for the holy vows of soldiers who went to war. Hence its name – Zorovats, which translated from Armenian means “Military”. And finally, Noravank, a unique monastery complex located among the high red rocks, the spiritual center of the princely house of Orbelian. Momik served for the Orbelian house as the chief architect, sculptor and miniaturist. There he created his last marvel a two-story chapel, Church of the Holy Virgin.
The life of Momik is shrouded with many legends. One of the legends tells that Momik was in love with a beautiful daughter of an Orbelian prince. In exchange for her hand, the prince asked Momik to build him a chapel unlike any other. Momik nearly completed his work but didn’t finish the dome, because he was pushed off the building by the orders of the prince and plunged to his death. The animated film attempts to incorporate several of these legends surrounding Momik and his creations.
