AT THE CENTRE of Greek culture, both ancient and modern, is the Greek sea, coupled with Greek light. From Odysseus’s seafaring adventures, to the naval battles for Greek independence, to the recent tragedies in the Aegean, the Greek seas have seen plenty of action, and have played a central role in shaping this country’s character. … Continue reading
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SNFCC’s handover and believing in Greek culture during the crisis
THE STAVROS Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), has witnessed around 25,000 visitors per week since August. On February 23, the 620 million euro centre which was solely funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), was officially handed over to the Greek state. The SNFCC is the new home of the Greek National Opera (GNO) and … Continue reading
The Guerilla Girls in Athens
THE GUERILLA GIRLS are putting on their guerrilla masks, and coming to town. Their performances in museums, universities and elsewhere around the world have already taken the art world by storm. Now it’s our turn to witness their antics up close. They will be taking the central stage of the Onassis Cultural Centre on March … Continue reading
In dialogue with Zoi Pappa: ‘Artwork is an idea, a feeling, a knowledge’
ZOI PAPPA has achieved what many young Greek artists are striving for these days: the growing appreciation and successful exhibiting of her work abroad. She just found out that she will be participating in the Arte Art Prize Laguna, taking place at the Arsenale of Venice (March 25 to April 9), about a month before … Continue reading
Kounellis: The poetry in poor materials
THE PIONEERING Greek artist Jannis Kounellis, internationally renowned for his avant-garde artistic ingenuity, and considered the father of Arte Povera, passed away in Rome, at the age of 80, on February 16. Rome had become his home since 1956, when he moved there and enrolled in the Accademia di Belle Arti, after not having passed … Continue reading
Mytaras’ focus on the timeless and mysterious
DIMITRIS MYTARAS passed away on Thursday, February 17, at the age of 83. He was one of the greatest contemporary Greek painters. When engrossed in the act of painting, he would use even his fingers to create his characteristic black marks and lines. His works took both from ancient Greek history and mythology, but also … Continue reading
Love is in the… art
FROM ANCIENT times, the Greek god Eros has been shooting his arrows all over the place, inspiring many artists from around the world to focus on the winged deity, or the outcomes of his actions. But many Greek artists have also spoken of love in their art, in one way or another. Here is how … Continue reading
Five for February
Greek seascapes in focus The Greek sea has inspired many a Greek painter, and the Theocharakis Foundation’s new show, which will be inaugurated on February 15, pays homage to the many Greek artists who have created outstanding seascapes over the years. The exhibition comprises works from two most important collections – the National Gallery of … Continue reading
Varotsos: ‘Art is life and the transformation of life into art’
LIKE HIS beloved material of glass, which he has tirelessly transformed into monumental sculptural forms, Costas Varotsos is sharp, cool and transparent – in the sense that he is unafraid to speak his mind. There are not many contemporary Greek sculptors who are also international names, however Varotsos is one of them. With his public … Continue reading
Mylonas interview (part 2)
I RECENTLY interviewed one of Greece’s most well-known and definitely most contemporary of artists – Eleni Mylonas – for the Athens Insider Magazine . As is the case with interviews, a lot of material remains unpublished. I felt it was a shame to let this material get lost in time, and to never be shared, because … Continue reading