Arshaluys is an alternative model from Armenia. But first and foremost she is a performer of various cultural dance and traditional songs! She has worked intensely hard to spread understanding and knowledge of unknown cultures. Keep reading to get to know Arshaluys better below!
Tell us about your career as a model and performer. How did you get started?
I started performing in 2010 / 2011 – first, these were dance performances in group, later I started singing and performing solo. As for modelling, it happened accidentally because I didn’t plan to be a model, I’ve never heard about such thing as alternative modeling before. It changed when I organised a photoshoot in 2013 when I was stylised as modern vampire after watching the last part of Twilight Saga. I’m not a Twilight fan, but I was fascinated and inspired by the look of vampires there.
Have you always had such a strong love of worldly cultures? When do you think it begun?
It’s pretty hard for me to recall the particular moment when it all begun, because I’ve been encountering different cultures since childhood – especially the time when I used to travel a lot with my parents to Armenia, Poland, Belarus and Russia before we finally settled in Poland permanently. I can say that first,the travels made me interested in cultures & people, that they speak in different languages, follow a different religion or philosophy. World cultures basically fascinate and inspire all the time, through art, cuisine, regional costumes, and people themselves and the languages they speak. The world is bigger than it seems!
You’ve spent time educating people on the unknown cultures, modelling and are currently focusing on performing. What is your current professional goal?
I think I’ll just continue what I do currently, I’d keep performing, give lectures at institutes and cultural meetings and develop my dance and vocal technique. Of course, I’ll be continuing ‘the- modeling- job’.
A big part of your life has revolved around bringing awareness to unknown cultures including your own. Could you tell us a little about your own cultural history?
I am Armenian by origin but have spent the whole life in Poland. You can say, it is a typical immigrant’s life with a lot of struggle to co-exist with local people. When I came here ( to Poland) as a child with my parents, it was difficult to me since I didn’t speak any Polish, just Armenian and Russian. I took a lot of time for me to get used to the new environment – we have to remember that it was the beginning of 90’s, so there wasn’t basically a big number of immigrants, as we have now. For a really long time people weren’t even aware that a country like Armenia exists, even though our history of existence on Polish lands is much longer and it is even documented. Most people don’t even know that Armenia is the first country in the world that officially recognized Christianity as a state religion. Most of time I’ve been asked if I come from India/Pakistan/Turkey or compared to Gypsies, because of the look although I have nothing to do with the Gypsy community. The school time was the obvious discrimination time, I was ashamed of who I am. It all changed when I started out the university. Later on, I realized that I’m not the only one who struggled to be accepted and trusted by the majority. This is the reason, apart being inspired by the cultures themselves, I felt I had a mission to promote and spread the beauty of the cultures that most of the time have been hidden or pushed under the carpet.
Why do you feel it’s important to have a good sense of culture?
I believe you should take what’s best from the particular culture that might enrich you in the future. For someone it might be the cuisine and ‘’encountering’’ the traditional dishes and snacks. For another it might be the art in different forms such as dance, music, painting, photography etc. I strongly believe that encountering different cultures builds your personality so that it will make you a good, respectable human being.
Where do you feel you draw your greatest inspiration from?
It’s really hard to bring out just few names, as I’m inspired by a lot of people who create the beautiful stuff, no matter if it is music, painting, movies and so on. I’m really inspired by people who work hard on something to make it perfect at the end, they put all the heart and soul into creating it along with passion, humbleness, determination and patience. I really wish I could have the same patience.
How do you combine your interest in cultural history with your performances? What do your performances entail?
Through the performance no matter if it is singing or dancing, I try to recall my history of an immigrant so the people who have been going through the same difficult journey may feel a strong connection to the story. There’s nothing more powerful than conveying the idea / story through the art. I’ve been working on building awareness among the majority, so later on, for instance, people would not associate Balkan countries only to the war in former Yugoslavia in 90’s, but would associate to the rich Balkan folk music, regional costumes, and great personalities like Emir Kusturica.
What do you consider your biggest career highlights so far?
Each of my performance and photoshoot I’ve had so far, was very unique and memorable, but I think still the best is yet to come!
How much have you changed since you first started performing and modelling?
I think I’ve become more self-confident about myself, of my possibilities thanks to my dear friends who encourage and support me on everything I do. I see the difference, with each year I’m less shy than I was like 2-3 years ago. I am more assertive nowadays either.
You find a lot of inspiration in your modelling from your favourite cultures – do you feel a sense of culture is missing from the alternative modelling community? We don’t often see a lot of cultural flair in the major genres such as rock, tattoo, latex, etc.
Actually that depends on a model’s personal taste and vision. If she wants to add some traditional elements to the whole idea, why not 
Also the photographer’s vision is important here, so if the ideas of both the model and photographer get combined, it would create something unique at the end. However, of course if the model prefers to pose only in pure gothic / steampunk/ or another style (however I doubt if something like ‘pure gothic’ exists nowadays since it’s been influenced by various styles) that is absolutely her choice. There is no restriction on that matter.
Also the photographer’s vision is important here, so if the ideas of both the model and photographer get combined, it would create something unique at the end. However, of course if the model prefers to pose only in pure gothic / steampunk/ or another style (however I doubt if something like ‘pure gothic’ exists nowadays since it’s been influenced by various styles) that is absolutely her choice. There is no restriction on that matter.
To find more from Arshaluy, check out her official Facebook page. There you can stay up to date on up and coming shoots and cultural performances. Are you a fan of Arshaluy’s art? Let us know in a comment below!
I believe you should take what’s best from the particular culture that might enrich you in the future. For someone it might be the cuisine and ‘’encountering’’ the traditional dishes and snacks. For another it might be the art in different forms such as dance, music, painting, photography etc. I strongly believe that encountering different cultures builds your personality so that it will make you a good, respectable human being.
Where do you feel you draw your greatest inspiration from?
It’s really hard to bring out just few names, as I’m inspired by a lot of people who create the beautiful stuff, no matter if it is music, painting, movies and so on. I’m really inspired by people who work hard on something to make it perfect at the end, they put all the heart and soul into creating it along with passion, humbleness, determination and patience. I really wish I could have the same patience.
How do you combine your interest in cultural history with your performances? What do your performances entail?
Through the performance no matter if it is singing or dancing, I try to recall my history of an immigrant so the people who have been going through the same difficult journey may feel a strong connection to the story. There’s nothing more powerful than conveying the idea / story through the art. I’ve been working on building awareness among the majority, so later on, for instance, people would not associate Balkan countries only to the war in former Yugoslavia in 90’s, but would associate to the rich Balkan folk music, regional costumes, and great personalities like Emir Kusturica.
What do you consider your biggest career highlights so far?
Each of my performance and photoshoot I’ve had so far, was very unique and memorable, but I think still the best is yet to come!
How much have you changed since you first started performing and modelling?
I think I’ve become more self-confident about myself, of my possibilities thanks to my dear friends who encourage and support me on everything I do. I see the difference, with each year I’m less shy than I was like 2-3 years ago. I am more assertive nowadays either.
You find a lot of inspiration in your modelling from your favourite cultures – do you feel a sense of culture is missing from the alternative modelling community? We don’t often see a lot of cultural flair in the major genres such as rock, tattoo, latex, etc.
Actually that depends on a model’s personal taste and vision. If she wants to add some traditional elements to the whole idea, why not Also the photographer’s vision is important here, so if the ideas of both the model and photographer get combined, it would create something unique at the end. However, of course if the model prefers to pose only in pure gothic / steampunk/ or another style (however I doubt if something like ‘pure gothic’ exists nowadays since it’s been influenced by various styles) that is absolutely her choice. There is no restriction on that matter.
Also the photographer’s vision is important here, so if the ideas of both the model and photographer get combined, it would create something unique at the end. However, of course if the model prefers to pose only in pure gothic / steampunk/ or another style (however I doubt if something like ‘pure gothic’ exists nowadays since it’s been influenced by various styles) that is absolutely her choice. There is no restriction on that matter.
To find more from Arshaluy, check out her official Facebook page. There you can stay up to date on up and coming shoots and cultural performances. Are you a fan of Arshaluy’s art? Let us know in a comment below!
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