Tak Salmastyan, the Armenian-American artist known for defying artistic conventions, has been living and creating in Los Angeles since 1990. A visual pioneer, he masterfully blends his cultural roots with modern technology to produce a new visual language in contemporary art. From inventing trademarked styles like BinArtism™ and Autoplasticism, to publishing his book “Window to Freedom,” Salmastyan has consistently positioned himself as an innovator who challenges what art can be.
Through the lens of tradition and the logic of technology, Tak Salmastyan has carved out a space that few artists occupy; a space where code, geometry, identity, and symbolism intersect with emotion.
How Armenian Identity Shapes Salmastyan’s Art
Tak Salmastyan’s artistic identity begins with heritage. Born in the mountainous Lori Province of Armenia during the Soviet era, his cultural and historical backdrop deeply influences his creative work. Even his name, Takvor, meaning “The King,” was passed down from his grandfather and is symbolic of leadership and pride in heritage.
“I never hated my name,” he once shared. “My friends still greet me with ‘Long Live the King!’” That nickname eventually evolved into his artistic persona: “The King of Spiritual Hooligans”
His Armenian background is not a motif; it’s the very material of his storytelling. His art reflects the experiences of displacement, memory, and cultural duality, elements common to immigrant narratives. But instead of nostalgia, Salmastyan injects innovation.
Translating Digital Language into Visual Culture
One of Tak Salmastyan’s most groundbreaking contributions is BinArtism™, a painting technique based on binary code (0s and 1s), the fundamental language of computers.
- In his work, “0” symbolizes the female form, and “1” the male form.
- Backgrounds often feature words or phrases written in binary.
- The result is a visual experience that feels both futuristic and primal.
This technique doesn’t simply mimic code; it reclaims it. In a world dominated by technology, BinArtism™ returns meaning and emotion to a format that’s usually cold and mechanical.
Explore the BinArtism™ Collection to see how binary becomes brushstroke.
Mathematical Order Meets Cultural Memory
Tak Salmastyan’s Autoplasticism is another signature style, one that fuses the structural elegance of Neo-Plasticism with the expressive spontaneity of Automatism.
- Paintings are constructed using only horizontal and vertical strokes.
- They follow Golden Ratio and Fibonacci principles, referencing both natural patterns and classical aesthetics.
- Yet they retain the raw spontaneity of subconscious thought.
This hybrid approach mirrors Salmastyan’s own life: structured by heritage and precision, yet open to interpretation and emotion. His Autoplasticism Collection offers a window into this balance.
“Window to Freedom” – A Personal Archive in Paint
In “Window to Freedom,” Tak Salmastyan compiles over 60 original paintings that document his evolving visual voice. Each work reflects both personal milestones and cultural questions, what it means to belong, to remember, and to create.
While the title evokes political liberty, it also refers to creative liberation. The book is not just a collection; it’s an archive of methods, ideas, and identity. You can find it on Amazon, where it’s listed as a key resource in understanding his artistic process.
Exploring Ethics Through Animation
Tak Salmastyan has also expanded into the digital arts through his animated short film, “The Clone and the Tree of Life.” The film explores a chilling sci-fi scenario where a scientist clones Hitler to build an army, but something essential is missing: the component of life itself.
The Tree of Life becomes the moral compass in this narrative, rejecting the artificial and restoring balance. The story reflects current concerns about unchecked technological advancement.
Awards the film has received include:
- Best Director – Los Angeles Art-House Film Festival.
- Best Animation – Independent Filmmakers Showcase.
- Award of Excellence – Canada International Film Festival.
It also earned recognition from FilmFreeway, an industry-standard platform for independent cinema.
In a world often polarized between tradition and technology, Tak Salmastyan shows us that the two can co-exist, and even elevate each other. His Armenian identity isn’t something he’s left behind; it’s something he’s plugged into the future through BinArtism™, Autoplasticism, and visual storytelling.
For art lovers, scholars, and collectors alike, Salmastyan offers more than aesthetics; he offers a language. One that speaks from both ancient soil and digital circuits.
To follow his latest work: Instagram | LinkedIn | Taktastic Store.
