THE BREEDER is presenting Dreams, Fame and the Savage an exhibition by internationally acclaimed video and performance artist Kalup Linzy and Academy Award-nominated actor, producer, writer and visual artist James Franco. The show features newly created collaborative works alongside individual pieces that explore themes of fame, moral values and social roles through the lens of mass culture, reality television and Hollywood.

The exhibition includes the premiere of The Real Housewives in Tulsa, a satirical film by Kalup Linzy and James Franco that adopts the aesthetics of reality television to examine ethical frameworks, interpersonal relationships and societal dynamics. Additionally, a series of collaborative collages on canvas inspired by the film’s characters are presented, blending the creative approaches of both artists.

James Franco’s musical Lana Land, a tribute to the legendary Hollywood actress Lana Turner, is also being screened for the first time, accompanied by a series of paintings on cotton fabric. Kalup Linzy presents a deeply personal series of drawings on paper that reflect his life story while showcasing his signature style.

The artistic collaboration between Kalup Linzy and James Franco began in 2009, sparking a body of work that blurs the lines between visual art, film and performance. From their joint appearance in the General Hospital series to live performances and musical collaborations, they have consistently pushed the boundaries of their practices.

The exhibition Dreams, Fame and the Savage, reunites the two artists, merging Linzy’s sharp cultural critique with Franco’s intricate narrative approach, fostering a dynamic dialogue. The exhibition is supported by the Tulsa Artist Fellowship.

On the top floor of The Breeder, you will also find an exhibition where art and jewellery-making join forces in the work of Margarita Myrogianni. Her works in the exhibition entitled Transmutation, examine the interplay between the body and art, drawing inspiration from a tradition of artists who embraced jewelry as a medium of expression, such as Jean Cocteau, Méret Oppenheim, and the Lalannes.

At the core of the show is a captivating series of artistic jewelry, where the opulence of nature merges seamlessly with the essence of the everyday. These pieces are born from Myrogianni’s inventive process, delving into themes of personal metamorphosis. Crafted using the ancient cire perdue casting technique—where wax is transformed into metal—the jewelry fosters a profound dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity.

The Breeder gallery was founded in 2002 by Stathis Panagoulis and George Vamvakidis. It developed organically from The Breeder magazine that started in 2000, out of the need for building an artistic dialogue between Athens and the world. Over the years, The Breeder gallery has been a pioneer in the development of the contemporary art scene in Athens. The gallery is situated on Iasonas Street, Metaxourgeio district. Behind its big old rusty door, there is a whole world of art to discover.

• The exhibitions Dreams, Fame and the Savage and Transmutations, both run till February 22. The Breeder is on 45 Iasonos st, 10436, Athens, Greece. Nearest metro stop: Metaxourgeio. Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11-7pm, Saturday 11-5pm. Email: gallery@thebreedersystem.com. Tel: +30 210 3317527. You can visit the gallery’s site here

Art Scene Athens’ is written/run by artist/journalist Stella Sevastopoulos. Dedicated to presenting what is happening on the Greek art scene (but not only), and also to giving Greek artists (and artists based in Greece) an international voice on the internet. For more on Stella Sevastopoulos’s art, click here If you would like to be featured in Art Scene Athens, please send email (stelsevas@yahoo.com).