The Theodoros, sculptor – In Lieu of a Retrospective exhibition is the first attempt to interpret and present the work of sculptor Theodoros after his death. It brings together a significant body of his work, as well as the abundant archival material that the sculptor bequeathed to EMΣT | The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens. The exhibition aims to highlight his profound and forward thinking, the most notable examples of his oeuvre, and the overall trajectory of a contemporary artist who left an important legacy in the field of sculpture in Greece through his words and works. Theodoros aimed to revitalise sculptural language and bring it to the fore in an era dominated by printed and audiovisual communication. As part of this quest, he became a pathfinder of pioneering and contemporary creative practices, realising performances, sound sculptures, and conceptual works while also introducing early attempts at a unique institutional critique for the first time in Greece. Throughout his work, he emphasised the artist’s social and political role and the significance of incorporating creative voices into public discourse. Theodoros put these concepts into action by maintaining a consistent and distinct presence in the mainstream media, including newspapers, radio, and television. Drawing inspiration from Theodoros’ exhibition practice and critical commentary on institutional function, the exhibition design foregrounds the limitations and potentialities of a retrospective museum display. To subvert the inherent single person-centric and past-oriented nature of a retrospective exhibition, works by five contemporary Greek artists – Nikos Arvanitis, Paky Vlassopoulou, Iris and Leda Lykourioti (A Whale’s Architects), Kostas Bassanos, and Yiannis Papadopoulos, – are presented in the exhibition. All have critically engaged with similar enduring problematics on their own, and are presented alongside Theodoros’ works.
The exhibition is part of the presentation program of the EMΣT Collection and takes place on the 2nd floor of the Museum. The exhibition’s scenography has been designed by architect and scenographer Yannis Arvanitis and organizes groups of works within specially designed new exhibition spaces that flow seamlessly into one another, culminating in an unexpected environment where the artworks and visitors coexist. The entire space has been radically transformed to also accommodate future exhibitions of the Collection.
Curated by Stamatis Schizakis
BIOGRAPHY
Theodoros (Papadimitriou) was born in 1931 in Agrinio, Greece. Between 1952 and 1957, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts. From 1959 to 1962, he continued his studies with a state scholarship in Paris at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, as well as at the Académie du Feu, where he studied metalwork. He collaborated with the historic Desmos Art Gallery, where he staged most of his notable solo exhibitions, and with the Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre. In 1972, Theodoros taught at California State University. He was elected Professor of Visual Arts at the National Technical University of Athens’ School of Architecture in 1980, where he taught until 1998. Among his most eminent exhibitions are his participation in the Europalia, Brussels, in 1982 with the performance MANIPULATION XXX One-Man Sculptural-Musical Show and the retrospective exhibition entitled Theodoros: Journey’s Marks, Traces of Touch–Objects, 1953-1983 at the National Gallery in Athens in 1984. He took part in many exhibitions in Greece and abroad, frequently revisiting his early work through numerous huge solo exhibitions. He died in Athens in 2018. In his will, he bequeathed 110 works and his studio to EMΣT | The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens.
EXHIBITION CREDITS
Artistic Direction: Katerina Gregos
Administrative-Financial Direction: Athina Ioannou
Curator: Stamatis Schizakis
Exhibition Design & Artistic Production: Yannis Arvanitis
Deputy Director of Technical Services: Iro Nikolakea
Graphic Design & Labelling Production: Eleni Spyridaki
Condition Reports: Fotini Alexopoulou (ΕΜΣΤ) & Amalia Siatou, Athina Koubarouli,
Panagiotis Papavasileiou, Antonis Sabanis, Vassilis Ifantis (revive-art.works)
Exhibition Design Assistant: Efi Lazakidou
Lighting: Kostas Svolis, Gregory Sampanis
Transport & Installation: Orphee Beinoglou S.A.
Audiovisual Installation: Makis Faros, Antonis Gkatzougiannis
Technical Support: Vangelis Filippas, Emilios Petrikis
Insurance: Karavias Underwriting Agency
Constructions: LAZARIDIS SCENIC STUDIO
Static Study: Christos Santorinaios
Digital Printing: NEXT S.A.
Translations: Vassilis Douvitsas
Editing: Anny Malama
Communication Consultant: Maria Tsolaki
Communication (ΕΜΣΤ): Ioakeim Theodoridis, Iliana Siarga (Graphics)
Social Media: Sergio Zalmas
Exhibition Assistants: Erato Stylianoudaki, Charis Chamaidi
Special Thanks:
ΕΜΣΤ will like to thank Nefeli and Lydia Papadimitriou, the ERT Archive and its Director Vasilis Alexopoulos, the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation, its Director Kostas Kostis, as well as the Director of Collections, Voula Livani, and the Head of the Paper Conservation Laboratory, Maria Alexiou.
PRESS MATERIAL
SPONSORS
