Tag: Arts

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens houses the new Greek National Opera since 2017. This is an unsurpassed work of art of minimalist style, for which all Greeks are proud.

The Archaeological Museum of Tegea houses ancient Greek treasures of immense beauty, which are presented in a masterful way. Amongst the exhibits, the head of Asclepius, a marble relief of Pan, thrones of the Kings and carved marble plates with scenes depicting heroes and demigods. In Tegea stood a temple dedicated to Athena Alea, built by the sculptor and architect Scopas from the Island of Paros. Many of his important works are on display at the museum. Tegea had a population of 40,000, a parliament of 300 men and its own currency. The founder of Paphos, King Agapenor was born there, as was the mythical Pan. Next to the museum there is an imposing outdoor archaeological site. Photographs capture very little of the magical vibes this museum emits.

Next to the ancient Greek theater of Mantineia is located Saint Fotini, built by the Arcadian architect Costas Papatheodorou. It is a building that combines ancient Greek and Christian influences, which built stone-by-stone, painted and decorated on its own from 1970-75, with the help of a few unskilled workers. The stones and marbles were collected from the demolished buildings, barrows and sheets of the Arcadian plateau and were processed one by one with almost primitive tools. He then built an ancient Heron outside the temple, in honor of the Arcadians who fought for their homeland and a Jacobite Freer, symbolizing Jesus' meeting with Samaritan. He painted the interior of the church giving the saints modern human figures and made mosaics on the floors with representations of ancient Greek mythology that are adorned with Christian doctrines. Many great names in art were flattered about his work, but many also strongly disputed it. The official Orthodox Church accepted it, but without objection. The architect as a true faithful Christian has so far defended his work modestly. Although he studied at major universities in Vienna and Berlin next to world-class teachers, he remains a very gentle and modest personality. Saint Fotini owes its existence not only to him, but also to the enlightened minds of the Mantinian League, who commissioned it to build and support to the end his revolutionary architectural innovations. TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS, SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com

Writer Alexandros Papadiamantis lived in Athens for a big part of his life, under great poverty conditions. He used to live in rented rooms inside the yard, where other families were being housed too. His residence conditions were so bad, that one night he almost got killed when an old house's roof at 18 Aristofanous Street collapsed because of the rain.

The historical Church with the legendary mosaics is about to follow the fate of Hagia Sofia and fall a victim of the revengeful obscurantism. Soon, black curtains will deprive humanity of a high art. The symbolisms of this choice are many and on various levels. The supremacy of Islam, the right of conquence, the disobedience to the West; yet, what seems to be prevailing is the hate of the predecessor, as well as an anger that neither time nor the magic of art are capable of healing. TEXT-PHOTOS: George Zafeiropoulos, SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com

A small pedestrian area in the center of Nicosia is fully painted with graffitis, looking like completed works of modern art. There are no graffitis on Nicosian walls like in the Greek cities, apart from a few unaesthetic slogans. Until last year, Pythonos street was overwhelmed by the nightlife pulse, full of tables of neighbouring cafes and bars. This year it was almost abandonded, with just one bar in the end of the road. Most probably, these graffitis will be ruined by the weather conditions of the restorations of surrounding buildings, on the walls of which they are painted. (Photos-Text: George Zafeiropoulos-www.greecewithin.com)

An International Contemporary Art Convention took place between the 13th and 16th of September in Zappeion Megaron of Athens. It is an annual event of a growing popularity. Zappeion was overwhelmed by thousands of visitors, a fact proving the big interest of Greeks for modern art. Exhibits were so many that it would take hours to see all, while the willingness of the artists themselves to help the visitors on their works was impressive also. The selection of the art on this album is not at all representantive; images of the works were taken with minimal equipment.

Artemis Hatzigiannaki is a talented notary with a talent in painting, who evolved into a remarkable painter. Her favorite themes are Smyrna and Athens, which she represents with a unique sensitivity and originality.

The "Art Athina 2018" International Contemporary Art Fair took place at the Conservatory of Athens from the 21st to the 24th of June. This fair is an annual event in Athens and is highly anticipated by many. Aside from the exhibition the fair also had a parallel program which consisted of speeches, workshops and special tributes. The artwork presented in this article is just a small sample of what was showcased and in random order. Photographs don’t do the artwork justice as the pictures were taken with non-specialized equipment, during a tour of the fair. The exhibition areas were comfortable for the visitors. Artists and visitors engaged in vigorous artistic discussions. Even the kiosks were artistically set up. Most of the visitors were young at age.

A couple of years ago, a new Acropolis Museum was constructed to house the Parthenon Marbles. It’s a world class architectural structure, located opposite the Acropolis and with a stunning view towards the cultural gem of Athens. The Museum was designed by architects Bernard Tschumi and Michael Fotiadis.

"The songs about Kolokotronis touched my soul without me noticing it. Everyone used to sing in my village and in my home too. My mother used to say: In the evening we'll go visit your uncle and you can sing for us. I’ll pay you five cents for your performance. If my silence and embarrassment didn't go away she would tell me again: You better sing, otherwise I will have to give you ten cents".

"On the 29th of August we go to Limpovissi, for the celebration of St. Ioannis church outside the house of the Greek hero Theodoros Kolokotronis. At six o' clock in the morning we are very proud to put on our costumes and go to the church and have our arms blessed by the priest. Then we bring around the icon and have a memorial service at Kolokotronis's house. And then what? We begin to sing about Kolokotronis and the echo of the gorges gets really creepy".