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MARGE TELLALIAN- KYRKOSTAS
Western Queens Gazette, NY
March 26 2014
BY NICOLLETTE BARSAMIAN
Margaret "Marge" Tellalian-Kyrkostas is the executive director of the
Anthropology Museum of the People of New York at Queens College. The
museum was established in 1977 with the support of Margaret Mead and
is a resource center focusing on anthropology, Armenian culture and
education. After retiring from her job as an adjunct professor of
anthropology in 1997, she has since devoted her time to the museum.
Kyrkostas is not only the executive director of the museum, but she
has kept busy writing a screenplay, authoring a book and hosting an
annual concert in honor of her late son, Mark Kyrkostas.
The concert, Mark Kyrkostas, Remember Me With Music recently took place
March 8 in Kaloustian Hall at the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs,
Bayside. Performers consisted of a pianist playing concertos of
Kyrkostas, folk dancers from Puerto Rico, as well as Greek folklore
dancing from members of the Greek American Folkloric Society of Astoria
and the Hicksville Holy Trinity Youth dance group. Kyrkostas hosts this
event every year in remembrance of her son and the music he played.
Her book entitled, Armenia: Memories From My Home, is based on the
1997-98 Ellis Island exhibit curated by Kyrkostas herself. The book
features an 85-page pictorial guide of Armenians throughout history,
including the contributions of Armenians to America and photos from
the 1915 Armenian genocide. It is currently displayed at the exhibit
and available for purchase.
Kyrkostas was also featured in an award-winning short film, After Water
There is Sand, directed by Saro Varjabedian, which won the award for
Best Student Cinematography at the 2012 Palm Springs International
Film Festival. Kyrkostas stars in the film as a widow determined to
fulfill her husband's dream by bringing her two daughters to take a
photo in front of Mount Ararat, a national symbol for Armenians.
Kyrkostas recently completed her screenplay, Bad Good Men, a true
story about her anthropology professor, who in 1979 manufactured LSD,
sold it and went to jail. She is currently looking to get publicity
for her screenplay, with Kevin Spacey in mind for the main role.
Visits to the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York are free
of charge. Kyrkostas welcomes all classes, from public and private
school to check out the museum and observe the various exhibits they
have to offer.
Barsamian: You authored a book entitled, Armenia: Memories From My
Home, based on an exhibit that you curated on Ellis Island. Can you
tell us about it?
Kyrkostas: The exhibit, Armenia: Memories From My Home, was first shown
at the Rosenthal Library at Queens College in 1994-95. It was so well
received that a suggestion was made to try to install it at Ellis
Island, which after two years of planning, opened in September, 1997.
The exhibit covered the history of the Armenian People from 9000 BCE
to 2000 CE, which, of course, would include the 1915 Genocide. A World
Events Comparative Timeline printed on two fabric panels (each six feet
by 12 feet) included world events, as well as many Armenian historical
events. However, the State Department intervened and tried to stop
the opening, due to Turkish pressures, and censored the headings,
"Genocide and Massacres". Fortunately, former Councilmember Peter
Vallone Jr., a guest speaker, ordered the exhibit opened, accepting
the responsibility. The New York Times, CBS-TV and the Associated
Press covered the censorship issue and three weeks later, with the
support of Armenian community leaders, the furor ended and the exhibit
remained there for six months.
NB: Can you give our readers some insight on the Armenian culture
that many people would not know about?
MK: Ancient Armenia was located in present day Eastern Turkey. During
the reign of Tigran II The Great (95-55 BCE), he expanded the
empire from the Black to the Caspian Seas to the Mediterranean,
and even reaching Egypt. Armenia today is located in Asia, being
one of the 15 states of the former Soviet Union, until 1991. It is
interesting to know that 30 percent of the Armenian people are in the
arts and sciences. Well known among them are author William Saroyan,
artist Arshile Gorky, film and theater director Reuben Mamoulian and
even Cher.
NB: Each year you celebrate your late son Mark's birthday by holding
a special concert for him. Clearly you believe his memory lives on
through his music. Tell us about the March 8 concert that took place
this year.
MK: The Mark Kyrkostas Remember Me With Music concert each year
brings fans, family and friends to hear and enjoy his music, which
included classical and jazz. In addition to his music, because Mark
loved to dance, each year we include an ethnic dance group. This year
we presented two Greek dance groups, the Greek American Folklore
Society Dancers from Astoria and the Hicksville Holy Trinity Youth
Dance group. We also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles
by inviting
Lisa Lay to perform several Beatles songs on acoustic guitar. Finally,
the Global Dancers performed salsa dancing and even invited the
audience to join in and learn the salsa.
NB: After Water There is Sand won the award for Best Student
Cinematography at the 2012 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
It is also a short film, which you starred in. Can you provide us
with a brief summary of the film, including details, and tell us a
little bit about your appearance?
MK: After Water There Is Sand is about an Armenian American woman who
visits Armenia with her two daughters after losing her husband. Her
husband always wanted to take a photo with his family in front of
Mount Ararat, the cherished symbol of the Armenian People. In the
film, Ararat, now in Turkey, but visible from the borders of Armenia,
became a problem when Soviet/Armenian border police prevented Tamar
and her daughters from taking the photos. Director Saro Varjabedian
had contacted Principal Zarmine Boghosian of the Holy Martyrs Armenian
Day School in Bayside, looking for someone to play Tamar, the mother.
She suggested he contact me. Saro came to my house with his camera
for an audition and one and half weeks later, he called and said,
"Pack up. We're going to Armenia."
NB: How did you initially get involved with The Anthropology Museum
of the People of New York, eventually becoming its executive director?
MK: In 1977, as an anthropology graduate student at NYU, I presented
a paper in Washington, D.C. and met Margaret Mead. I asked her if she
would help me establish a museum where the contemporary people of New
York City would be represented side by side, since most museums focused
on ancient peoples. She agreed, and her letter of support opened many
doors for me. I was able to gather many anthropologists and community
leaders, both Greek and Armenian, and we were able to establish a
moving museum. I was voted in as executive director/ curator and
have held that position since it is a non-paying job. The exhibits,
Anthropology Awareness, William Saroyan and Armenia: Memories From My
Home were displayed in banks, hospitals and libraries until we were
given space at Queens College in 2003. The museum is supported by a
membership and contributions by businesses.
NB: As the executive director of the Armenian cultural, educational,
and resource center gallery at the Anthropology Museum, you have
probably come across some memorable exhibits. Which ones stand out
in your mind?
MK: The most memorable, of course, is the Ellis Island exhibit, which
generated lots of exposure. Our latest exhibit, Ladies From Your Past,
is close to my heart because many talented women are featured. For
example, Roslyn Franklin, a crystallographer who is best known for
her role in the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule, which
is shaped like a twisted ladder. She was never acknowledged by Watson
and Crick.
NB: What are some of the exhibits currently running in the museum?
MK: The museum has two permanent exhibits, The Human Face of
Anthropology which covers the four sub-disciplines of anthropology:
biological, cultural, archaeological and linguistics featuring many
diverse ethnic groups and Armenia: Memories From My Home, which covers
the history of the Armenian people.
NB: Tell us about this screenplay that you are currently working on,
for which you indicated you have Kevin Spacey in mind?
MK: I have been a screen buff since I was a child growing up in
Astoria. My mother and I would go to the movies every Saturday. I have
a very imaginative mind and so when the chair of the Anthropology
Department at NYU, who I was friendly with, was arrested, I
corresponded with him until he was released. He then made poisoned
Valentine's Day candy and sent it to those who were responsible for
his demise. I thought it would make a great screenplay, since I knew
him personally. I joined the Port Washington's Writers Group and I
was on my way. As I developed the script, I kept seeing Kevin Spacey
in the role. But, alas, the powers that be prevent me from contacting
him. I think I need an agent, which is also difficult. Any suggestions?
NB: You mentioned that John Hammond had signed your son, Mark, to a
contract. What was the result of this agreement?
MK: John Hammond had contacted Mark to sign him and his jazz ensemble
up for a record deal. In the hospital, as Hammond lay dying, he told
his friend Leonard Feather that Mark would be his last discovery.
Unfortunately, Hammond died before he was able to sign Mark to
a contract.
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-03-26/Features/LocalExpress.html
Western Queens Gazette, NY
March 26 2014
BY NICOLLETTE BARSAMIAN
Margaret "Marge" Tellalian-Kyrkostas is the executive director of the
Anthropology Museum of the People of New York at Queens College. The
museum was established in 1977 with the support of Margaret Mead and
is a resource center focusing on anthropology, Armenian culture and
education. After retiring from her job as an adjunct professor of
anthropology in 1997, she has since devoted her time to the museum.
Kyrkostas is not only the executive director of the museum, but she
has kept busy writing a screenplay, authoring a book and hosting an
annual concert in honor of her late son, Mark Kyrkostas.
The concert, Mark Kyrkostas, Remember Me With Music recently took place
March 8 in Kaloustian Hall at the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs,
Bayside. Performers consisted of a pianist playing concertos of
Kyrkostas, folk dancers from Puerto Rico, as well as Greek folklore
dancing from members of the Greek American Folkloric Society of Astoria
and the Hicksville Holy Trinity Youth dance group. Kyrkostas hosts this
event every year in remembrance of her son and the music he played.
Her book entitled, Armenia: Memories From My Home, is based on the
1997-98 Ellis Island exhibit curated by Kyrkostas herself. The book
features an 85-page pictorial guide of Armenians throughout history,
including the contributions of Armenians to America and photos from
the 1915 Armenian genocide. It is currently displayed at the exhibit
and available for purchase.
Kyrkostas was also featured in an award-winning short film, After Water
There is Sand, directed by Saro Varjabedian, which won the award for
Best Student Cinematography at the 2012 Palm Springs International
Film Festival. Kyrkostas stars in the film as a widow determined to
fulfill her husband's dream by bringing her two daughters to take a
photo in front of Mount Ararat, a national symbol for Armenians.
Kyrkostas recently completed her screenplay, Bad Good Men, a true
story about her anthropology professor, who in 1979 manufactured LSD,
sold it and went to jail. She is currently looking to get publicity
for her screenplay, with Kevin Spacey in mind for the main role.
Visits to the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York are free
of charge. Kyrkostas welcomes all classes, from public and private
school to check out the museum and observe the various exhibits they
have to offer.
Barsamian: You authored a book entitled, Armenia: Memories From My
Home, based on an exhibit that you curated on Ellis Island. Can you
tell us about it?
Kyrkostas: The exhibit, Armenia: Memories From My Home, was first shown
at the Rosenthal Library at Queens College in 1994-95. It was so well
received that a suggestion was made to try to install it at Ellis
Island, which after two years of planning, opened in September, 1997.
The exhibit covered the history of the Armenian People from 9000 BCE
to 2000 CE, which, of course, would include the 1915 Genocide. A World
Events Comparative Timeline printed on two fabric panels (each six feet
by 12 feet) included world events, as well as many Armenian historical
events. However, the State Department intervened and tried to stop
the opening, due to Turkish pressures, and censored the headings,
"Genocide and Massacres". Fortunately, former Councilmember Peter
Vallone Jr., a guest speaker, ordered the exhibit opened, accepting
the responsibility. The New York Times, CBS-TV and the Associated
Press covered the censorship issue and three weeks later, with the
support of Armenian community leaders, the furor ended and the exhibit
remained there for six months.
NB: Can you give our readers some insight on the Armenian culture
that many people would not know about?
MK: Ancient Armenia was located in present day Eastern Turkey. During
the reign of Tigran II The Great (95-55 BCE), he expanded the
empire from the Black to the Caspian Seas to the Mediterranean,
and even reaching Egypt. Armenia today is located in Asia, being
one of the 15 states of the former Soviet Union, until 1991. It is
interesting to know that 30 percent of the Armenian people are in the
arts and sciences. Well known among them are author William Saroyan,
artist Arshile Gorky, film and theater director Reuben Mamoulian and
even Cher.
NB: Each year you celebrate your late son Mark's birthday by holding
a special concert for him. Clearly you believe his memory lives on
through his music. Tell us about the March 8 concert that took place
this year.
MK: The Mark Kyrkostas Remember Me With Music concert each year
brings fans, family and friends to hear and enjoy his music, which
included classical and jazz. In addition to his music, because Mark
loved to dance, each year we include an ethnic dance group. This year
we presented two Greek dance groups, the Greek American Folklore
Society Dancers from Astoria and the Hicksville Holy Trinity Youth
Dance group. We also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles
by inviting
Lisa Lay to perform several Beatles songs on acoustic guitar. Finally,
the Global Dancers performed salsa dancing and even invited the
audience to join in and learn the salsa.
NB: After Water There is Sand won the award for Best Student
Cinematography at the 2012 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
It is also a short film, which you starred in. Can you provide us
with a brief summary of the film, including details, and tell us a
little bit about your appearance?
MK: After Water There Is Sand is about an Armenian American woman who
visits Armenia with her two daughters after losing her husband. Her
husband always wanted to take a photo with his family in front of
Mount Ararat, the cherished symbol of the Armenian People. In the
film, Ararat, now in Turkey, but visible from the borders of Armenia,
became a problem when Soviet/Armenian border police prevented Tamar
and her daughters from taking the photos. Director Saro Varjabedian
had contacted Principal Zarmine Boghosian of the Holy Martyrs Armenian
Day School in Bayside, looking for someone to play Tamar, the mother.
She suggested he contact me. Saro came to my house with his camera
for an audition and one and half weeks later, he called and said,
"Pack up. We're going to Armenia."
NB: How did you initially get involved with The Anthropology Museum
of the People of New York, eventually becoming its executive director?
MK: In 1977, as an anthropology graduate student at NYU, I presented
a paper in Washington, D.C. and met Margaret Mead. I asked her if she
would help me establish a museum where the contemporary people of New
York City would be represented side by side, since most museums focused
on ancient peoples. She agreed, and her letter of support opened many
doors for me. I was able to gather many anthropologists and community
leaders, both Greek and Armenian, and we were able to establish a
moving museum. I was voted in as executive director/ curator and
have held that position since it is a non-paying job. The exhibits,
Anthropology Awareness, William Saroyan and Armenia: Memories From My
Home were displayed in banks, hospitals and libraries until we were
given space at Queens College in 2003. The museum is supported by a
membership and contributions by businesses.
NB: As the executive director of the Armenian cultural, educational,
and resource center gallery at the Anthropology Museum, you have
probably come across some memorable exhibits. Which ones stand out
in your mind?
MK: The most memorable, of course, is the Ellis Island exhibit, which
generated lots of exposure. Our latest exhibit, Ladies From Your Past,
is close to my heart because many talented women are featured. For
example, Roslyn Franklin, a crystallographer who is best known for
her role in the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule, which
is shaped like a twisted ladder. She was never acknowledged by Watson
and Crick.
NB: What are some of the exhibits currently running in the museum?
MK: The museum has two permanent exhibits, The Human Face of
Anthropology which covers the four sub-disciplines of anthropology:
biological, cultural, archaeological and linguistics featuring many
diverse ethnic groups and Armenia: Memories From My Home, which covers
the history of the Armenian people.
NB: Tell us about this screenplay that you are currently working on,
for which you indicated you have Kevin Spacey in mind?
MK: I have been a screen buff since I was a child growing up in
Astoria. My mother and I would go to the movies every Saturday. I have
a very imaginative mind and so when the chair of the Anthropology
Department at NYU, who I was friendly with, was arrested, I
corresponded with him until he was released. He then made poisoned
Valentine's Day candy and sent it to those who were responsible for
his demise. I thought it would make a great screenplay, since I knew
him personally. I joined the Port Washington's Writers Group and I
was on my way. As I developed the script, I kept seeing Kevin Spacey
in the role. But, alas, the powers that be prevent me from contacting
him. I think I need an agent, which is also difficult. Any suggestions?
NB: You mentioned that John Hammond had signed your son, Mark, to a
contract. What was the result of this agreement?
MK: John Hammond had contacted Mark to sign him and his jazz ensemble
up for a record deal. In the hospital, as Hammond lay dying, he told
his friend Leonard Feather that Mark would be his last discovery.
Unfortunately, Hammond died before he was able to sign Mark to
a contract.
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-03-26/Features/LocalExpress.html