Nensi Avetisian
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“I remember, as a child, recreating our house in The Sims, making all sorts of changes within the limits of my imagination.”
Interview with
Sveta Amatuni (SA)
Sveta, could you tell us about this place, where we are right now?
NA
You are in Oshakan village, at my family home, which, for over a year now, has also been the Amatuni Studio. The studio is in the basement of the house, which originally was the entire home. Years ago, my family built a new house above the original structure and moved upstairs. At some point, I realised I needed a space and thought I could set it up right here at home.
SA
Tell us about Amatuni Studio.
NA
Amatuni Studio currently operates as a ceramics studio. We create ceramic items and organize one-day workshops and classes. When the idea to host workshops came up, my initial intention was to invite people not just to work with clay but to relax, too. I had heard from various people who visited that they felt a sense of calm here, so I wanted to combine that with clay, which itself has a calming effect. It’s nice to see people come here for a day, clear their minds, take a break from the city’s stresses, and calm their hands with clay. In the future, I hope to expand and create more items for the home.
SA
I understand what your guests mean because this isn’t our first time here, and it really is so peaceful. You mentioned you’d like to do other things as well; will it still be ceramics?
NA
No, not only ceramics. I have ideas for textiles, lighting, and other home objects. For instance, I’m currently experimenting with textiles for my own room. I want to work with textiles by doing embroidery, which I see as similar to working with clay in that both involve detailed handiwork and repetitive motions. I’ve realized I can only create things for the home—I can’t seem to think of making things for any other context.
SA
You live and work in the same place; would you say this helps or gets in the way?
NA
At first, I was worried about having the studio at home, thinking it might not be a great idea to be home all day and that it might interfere with my work, for some reason. But now I see it was the best decision I could have made, especially this summer, which was so peaceful for me. One of the reasons is that I don’t have to rush anywhere, get up and prepare to go out. I save time and protect my peace, and I can work at any hour I feel comfortable, some days more, some days less, and manage my time better.
Another interesting thing is that I live with my parents, and although we’ve always had a good relationship, I feel like their involvement in helping me with things like construction or organizational tasks has brought us closer. For example, my mom knows desserts are her responsibility, so she prepares them.
SA
And they’re delicious!
NA
Haha, thanks! I wouldn’t say their involvement brought us closer; rather, it helped them understand what I do. With our generational differences, I get how their upbringing shapes their view of work, which isn’t exactly like mine, haha.
SA
Speaking of family, you have a very unique last name. Could you tell us about it?
NA
The Amatuni name is an old Armenian surname, and the Oshakan area used to be the Amatuni family’s princely domain. I have a family tree that goes quite far back, but it doesn’t reach Vahan Amatuni, who is famous because Mesrop Mashtots was buried in Oshakan during his time. That’s the most well-known fact about Oshakan, and everyone in Armenia comes here for that purpose at about age seven. It makes our village lively and different from what people might expect when they hear the word “village.”
Our family tree is at home, and there are other notable people on it, though not as far back. I hope one day to create a tapestry from it.
SA
Your home’s interior is interesting—simple and modern yet full of artifacts from the past. Who designed the interior?
NA
I don’t think anyone could say they designed the interior. It evolved gradually over many years. The structure of our house has gone through many changes. When the upper part was built, the entrance wasn’t on this side, and this section of the house looked different. I remember, as a child, recreating our house in The Sims, making all sorts of changes within the limits of my imagination. I would change the bathroom layout, divide my brother’s and my big room in two, then show it to my mom and explain why we should do it that way. Eventually, when it was time to make real changes, we did what we did. As for the aesthetics, I’m lucky that my taste aligns with my parents’—we don’t like complex or luxurious things, vivid colors, and so on. All decisions are discussed; I make suggestions, insist on a few things but not too much, haha. But, ultimately, it’s always my mom who decides, haha.
Since we haven’t lived in this house continuously, many things were put into storage. I’m sure most families owned similar artifacts in their homes, but over time, these items would wear out or break, and not much would remain. In our case, these items have stayed, and I love that despite the house changing, these old objects still linger, adding a unique aura.
SA
Did playing The Sims influence your career choice? Ha-ha
NA
Ha-ha, I’m not sure how it happened. I realized I wanted to do something related to homes, but whether that realization came from The Sims or if The Sims became a tool for that, I can’t say. I remember loving to build houses in the game, and whenever I visited friends’ homes, I would get ideas for changes and then come home and replicate them in The Sims. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that my dad is a builder, so there was always something happening around the house.
SA
Girls at Home: ISSUE 15
CREDITS