Animalier* with no taste for the Sublime, 2017

Animalier* with no taste for the Sublime, 2017

solo show, Werft 5 – Raum für Kunst im Kunsthaus Rhenania, Cologne

09.09 – 29.10.2017 

[series of public casts from Athens]

I have not made the originals of these paper casts. I have made a selection out of the many public sculptures of the city of Athens. Giving an emphasis to the gender and social role ascribed to the represented figure. Making an observation: represented female figures are outnumbered by male ones.

I make the casts only when circumstances allow me to take time and space to work directly onthem, on site. These figures belong to different historical times and some constitute a symbol (mythological, popular or nationalistic) of their own category. Some are well maintained, others becomedirty through time. They mostly remain unseen, but are real landmarks of the Athens landscape. Some are made by gifted sculptors, others feel funny to look at, maybe because of their awkward placement. I like to cast them in color papers. The originals are brought from the outside inside a room, turning stone, marble and bronze into a thin skin of paper and glue. These paper shells are here virtually free of weight. I see in the cast the plain nature of the original.”

* An animalier is an artist, mainly from the 19th century, who specializes in, or is known for, skill in the realistic portrayal of animals. (in Greek: ανιμαλιέ). In 2015 I have been introduced to the term by the daughter of sculptor Evripides Vavouris (1911-1987), as Zacharias Papantoniou (writer, journalist, art-critic and National Galley director) had described Vavouris as the "greatest Greek animalier.

list of works

1.

Tell my horse ("Eve", c. a. 1940 by Gregorios Zevgolis, Rostan Square, Ano Patissia, Athens)

white and yellow paper cast

2.

The actress ("Elli Lambeti", 1998 by Αnastasios Gkiokas, Didotou Street, Athens)

blue paper cast, dental modeling wax

3.

Maria Maria, ("Mary Samara", 2001 by Anastasia Douka)

two paper casts after a study in clay

4.

Animalier with no taste for the Sublime ("Athina Mesolora" by Michail Tombros, Red Cross Hospital, Athens)

paper cast after a study in clay, dental modeling wax

5.

No dog ( "Woman after a workday", 2000 by Mary Papakonstantinou, Mavili Square)

paper cast and found jewelry 

6.

Runner's melodica ("To the memory of Spiros Louis", 1989 by Nikos Peradinos, Efforionos Street)

grey paper cast and melodica by Hohner

7.

Lioness feet ("Athina Promachos", 1951 by Vassos Falireas, Pedion Areos) – paper cast 

blue paper cast

8.

Sister Beatrice ("Dimitris Mitropoulos", 1961 by Thanasis Apartis, National Conservatory of Athens)

green and blue paper cast

9.

The wife ("Aspasia", 1973 by Mara Κaretsou, Academy of Athens)

grey paper cast

10.

only the white of an egg 

polystyrene

11.

no crying in the club

bleach drawing on fabric

12.

outdoors 

bleach drawing on fabric

13.

hanged man 

bleach drawing on fabric