Raiment of the Soul – Syros Island
RAIMENT OF THE SOUL
VANGELIS KYRIS & ANATOLI GEORGIEV
SYROS ISLAND 6 JUNE – 10 JULY 2022
Raiment of the Soul The Anthony E. Comninos Foundation, in collaboration with the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece / National Historical Museum and the Municipality of Syros – Ermoupolis, presents the exhibition “Raiment of the Soul” at the Cyclades Art Gallery from June 6th to July 10th, 2022. The unique artistic conception of the two creators, Vangelis Kyris and Anatoli Georgiev, brings together two forms of art, taking up the idea at the National Historical Museum’s display cases and the authentic costumes of the Folklore Collection. Photography and embroidery unite in this original project, which introduces elements of history and tradition into contemporary artistic expression. Vangelis Kyris’ photography highlights the rare Greek garments of the 18th and 19th centuries, as worn by everyday people, actors, and models. The photographer captures the human pathos, thus expressed through the gaze and the body language, creating an atmosphere of a different era and offering a new interpretation of that essence- braided in all things Greek. Subsequently, each photograph is decorated with the remarkable embroideries by Anatoli, who grants them each their individual identity and a whole different third-dimension. When the historical narration comes to an end, the two creators carry on, recalling figures and symbols of the Greek tradition and proposing an alternative but utterly true reading of the past. Their deep, comprehensive understanding of the body’s movement, the qualities of the light and texture, as well as this intuitive communication between the photographer and his model become evident in every detail and form an altogether exceptional group of works. The 48 photographic portraits presented at the gallery are divided into four sections: Hero. Island. Soul. Memory. Each represents a unique experience that unfolds stories of people and places, summarized in one single image. A short film on the creative process and a selection of ten handmade books complete the exhibition’s plotline.
Exhibition curator: Erica Vassileiou and George Altouvas
ARTWORKS
Costume of Wilhelmine Rheinech, Court of Queen Amalia, 19th c.
Hand finished gold embroidery using gold cord and gold threads, on printed cotton canvas, using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
Costume from Argos, Peloponese, 19th c.
Hand-stiched gold embroidery, using gold metal thread, on printed canvas, using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
Costume from Karagouna, Thessaly, 19th c.
Hand finished gold embroidery, using gold cord anfd cross stitch with cotton threads, on printed canvas , using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
Costume from Lymnos Island, 18th c.
Hand finished embroidery (long and short stitches) using all silk and gold thread, on printed cotton canvas, using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
Costume from Lefkada Island, 19th c.
Hand finished gold embroidery, using gold metal thread and gold cord, on printed cotton canvas, using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
Costume from iOS Island, 18th c.
Hand made embroidery (silk stitch), with silk threads, on printed cotton canvas, using reactive printing colors.
Dimensions: 130 x 105 cm.
EXHIBITION LOCATION
Cyclades Art Gallery, Syros island
Exhibition hours: weekly 11:00-13:30 & 18.30-22.00
Under the Patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou
The Anthony E. Comninos Foundation
The Municipality of Syros – Ermoupolis
The Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece
The National Historical Museum, Greece
The Kourd Gallery, Athens, Greece
interior photos of the exhibition space: Alexandros Petrakis