INTRIGUING, biomorphic yet also tectonic and totemic ‘beings’ , have taken over the courtyard and one floor of the Benaki Pireos these days – Tony Cragg’s 25 sculptures. Both organic and futuristic, many of them are tall, verticle structures, that tower over you like a Robo Cop, and look like they are made up of … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2015
When Tetsis’ colour becomes darkness
“Landscape is not a genre of art but a medium. Landscape is a medium of exchange between the human and the natural, the self and the other. As such, it is like money: good for nothing in itself, but expressive of a potentially limitless reserve of value. Landscape is a natural scene mediated by culture. … Continue reading
October’s trick or treat
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This can be observed in the lovely full-body portrait paintings by Petros Karavevas – a student of Yiorgos Rorris – who has carried on his teacher’s passion for painting from life, exploring reality and the human character. The show with Karavevas’ works opened to the public on … Continue reading
Verghi: The plight and pleasures of a pioneering plein air painter
THERE are so many elements that converge in Chryssa Verghi’s art. Among her painted odes to nature, you will spot references to certain crucial crossroads in the history of art and landscape painting, such as her painted encomium to Monet ‘s ‘ Water Lillies’, a touch of Romanticism’s passion for the sublime and mystical in … Continue reading
Imagine a world without art
It’s Sunday, so I’m going to ponder a bit today. A dear friend of mine many years ago told me about how her brother had written an essay in school about how art is totally unnecessary, and that we could do without it altogether. The essay got top marks too! From then on, the idea … Continue reading
A bit of the Venice biennale in Athens
Artist Aikaterini Gegisian’s work was part of the Armenian Pavilion at this year’s 56th Venice Biennale. The pavillion won the Golden Lion award for best national participation. The Thessaloniki born, UK based artist’s work explores notions of heritage, societal stimuli, gender and cultural identity via a vast array of found printed material (collected from photographic … Continue reading
Politics and art: partners in crisis
Politics and art have a long relationship and the upcoming Athens Biennale will explore how these two partners can join forces in the crisis, via a creative route – and thus maybe propose some groundbreaking propositions in both fields. The Biennale is set for 2017, however events have kicked off already, while the official launch … Continue reading