Old Yerevan, Kond 1986

Petros Malayan painted "Old Yerevan, Kond" using subdued earth tones and fragmented forms. The composition presents a cluster of old buildings stacked upon each other, constructed with uneven lines that create a sense of precariousness. Malayan's choice of color is striking. The limited palette is dominated by browns and grays, which evoke a feeling of decay. Yet, scattered throughout the painting are dashes of brighter colors: blues and yellows, which hint at an underlying vitality. These moments of color serve as visual signifiers, injecting an emotional complexity. The semiotic interplay between decay and vitality challenges fixed ideas. The buildings appear almost as if they’re collapsing into each other. The effect destabilizes our understanding of space and perspective. The artwork functions as more than just an aesthetic experience. It acts as a cultural artifact, inviting ongoing interpretation.