Interesting Lessons from Dimitrios Antonitsis
At the Opening of the Hydra School Projects 2023
Yesterday evening (Sat, 18 June) saw this years opening of the much anticipated Hydra School Projects 2023 presentation from Dimitrios Antonitis of 'Lessons Learned'. He always surprises and delivers thought-provoking works from various international artists, and this year is no exception.
Unusually, for this year only, because none of Hydra's school buildings for various reasons were available, the HSP exhibition is being held in the 'Agora', The Old Market Place, at the back of the harbour, in the succession of rooms in the centre of the square.
But as usual Dimitrios' trademark school books are supplied to help explain the work of the artists in the show. I wouldn't dream of trying to comment about all of the pieces because I'm not an expert. But of course I have my favourites.
Anna Pangalou is a performer focusing on sound. She opened the show using her distinctive voice combined with 'props' such as copper blades, a copper net with seeds that look like blackbirds caught in it and rather disconcertingly even used the air-conditioning unit of one of the shops that backs onto the square. Being quite deaf, I can't offer an opinion as to whether it sounded good, but did notice that the rest of the audience seemed as disconcerted as I was. Anna hunched over the air-conditioning unit that was going at full blast and combined her voice with the noise. The expressions on everyone's faces reflected my own - one of trying to mask confusion with a neutral, uncommitted, 'I'm prepared to wait and see' look of guarded composure. The performance ended with Anna walking out of the Agora dragging her copper blades behind her, leaving a stunned audience, silenced and not at all sure whether it was the end and should they applaud or not. An interesting if not slightly perplexing performance that I enjoyed being exposed to.
I found the fluidity of the sculptures of Adonis Stoantzikis very appealing. The shapes feel as though they are naturally born of the earth, squeezed and contorted over-time and not at all contrived by human hands. Almost as though you've come across a fossilised clump of petrified mud in the sea that trapped and preserved small crustaceans long ago. All the more impressive to me because Stoantzikis creations are made with polymer clay, glass, bronze, coloured powder and plaster.
The deceptive simplicity of My Light (2019) by Ode Jaune resonated for me. The elegance of the hands and attention to form are far from simple and to get the degree of expression and feeling, for me is a signature of Oda's work. I love the way she puts an emotion in place with no explanation so you can decide for yourself. The beautiful hand draped languidly over a flame, seemingly oblivious to pain makes me feel as though in spite of the chaos in the world, it is possible to retain a sense of peace if you try hard enough. The clenched hand reminds me to be strong and supportive. Yes, this piece definitely 'speaks to me'.
Walking into one of the exhibition rooms with the entire back wall taken up by a wave of intricately placed mosaics in sheets of marble by Christina Nakou, just blew me away. I could stand mesmerized by her sea of detail for hours. The sea naturally changes its mood as often as human moods change so this is what appeals to me with this gorgeous work. I love art that has layers and provides me with depths of impressions that can become my own depending on my thoughts and emotions and not necessarily what the artist intended.
Many thanks Dimitrios for presenting another show of artists' work that we'd be unlikely to ever see without traveling a lot. And thank you for exposing us all to ideas and lessons to shake up our preconceived ideas.
Hydra School Projects @ Old Market, Hydra
June 17 - September 17 2023
Daily - 11:00 - 14:00 & 19:00 - 22:00
Information: +(30) 693 802 4554
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