As a state of mind
As a state of mind
GROUP EXHIBITION
10 – 30 JULY 2021
”I know but one freedom, and that is the freedom of the mind”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This exhibition brings together two contemporary artists in a dialogue with works of art and craft from the time of the Greek revolution in 1821. As Greece is acknowledging the bicentennial of the Greek war of independence, and the wave of Philhellenism with its fascination for classical Greece, this exhibition is focusing on freedom as a concept and a timeless narrative. Freedom can in large terms be interpreted as a base for democracy and democratic states, but on an individual level the strive for liberty is something finer and harder to grasp, and yet something many of us long for in our daily lives – working to earn time for leisure and freedom from professional engagements and daily chores. If freedom is a timeless narrative, how does artist portray strivings for freedom and independence? Where and how do we want to live out our freedom? In what scenography is our freedom portrayed and outplayed, and what role does nature and painting play in that context?
On two parallel locations – one in central Athens, and another on the Cycladic island of Kea – one can experience paintings from two contemporary artists with painted sceneries and objects created with freedom as a state of mind. Pontus Raud finds inspiration to his work in everyday life, he observes ongoing social debates and news reports, and mixes politics with beach life and holidays. Here we see his paintings of a coastline in Haverdal, on the Swedish west coast, a motif he is continuously painting repeatedly. On other images “sunny people” appear, lying on their backs towards the sun and seemingly free in body and mind.
Kristoffer Zetterstrand brings to life old masterpieces by sculpturing them in 3D programmes. He combines these past sceneries with found images from the internet and family photos. The landscape as allegory, played an important role during the Greek revolution, as in many other historic events, for political purposes and idealization. The exhibition addresses the memory of a place or how we imagine it to be, which not necessarily has to be real but which make us sense freedom.
Exhibited artists: Pontus Raud, Kristoffer Zetterstrand
Curated by: Niki & Johan Kralli Anell,
are a creative curatorial duo, based in Stockholm, Sweden with a passion for Greece and its culture.
ARTWORKS
EXHIBITION LOCATION
Kourd Gallery
2-4 Kassianis str., Athens, Greece
Studio Krallis – Kea island
Ioulida, Kea Island
main square next to the restaurant Paparounas