Art by Architects 2

Available

Order: info@heliarch.gr
ISBN: 978-618-83352-3-3
Pages: 72
Dimensions: 24×24 cm
Edited by: Εlias Constantopoulos, Christina Papadimitriou

FOREWORD

The first exhibition of visual art by architects at atelier kykladon 6, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture in 2016, held dual significance.
On one hand, the Spiteri residence-studio, designed by Aristomenis Provelengios in 1956–58 and later renovated and reinhabited in 2006 by Dionysis Sotovikis, became a new exhibition interior rich in spatial variety despite its small size. On the other hand, the exhibition organized by the H.I.A. of architects’ visual artworks found in this temporary home a unique opportunity to foster dialogue — in resonance with the fusion of architecture and art that defined the residence-studio from its inception. Today, this space is not just a gallery, but a lived-in home, one that hosts the artworks. The house, with its narrow façade nestled between neoclassical buildings and apartment blocks on Kypselis Street, uses the double-height ground-floor studio as a welcoming space. From this area, the small mezzanine and the first-floor atelier-gallery are visible through the open staircase. Shielded from the street by large frosted glass panes, the communal areas are bathed in natural light, while the silhouettes within are faintly visible from the outside day and night, like a continuous silent performance.

The strong presence and interest of visitors at the opening of this first successful exhibition/auction, held to financially support the Institute, led to the idea for a second event, which took place from April 10–19, 2019.This exhibition features many new works by architects, alongside some pieces from the 2016 show. The Hellenic Institute of Architecture remains open to proposals arising from individual initiatives by colleagues and looks forward to organizing similar events in the future, events that broaden the understanding of the creative process. This well-known, yet often hidden side of architects represents, for many, a parallel creative activity, more or less intertwined with their architectural work. The public presentation of this artistic vein gives us a more complete picture of the reflections and impulses behind their design thinking , and perhaps allows us to interpret the connections between architecture and art through a multifaceted lens. And if such exhibitions, which reveal this unseen aspect of ourselves, also result in the emergence of significant artworks in their own right, then the benefit is manifold.

This exhibition is the fruit of the efforts of many colleagues, to whom I extend my sincere thanks for our excellent collaboration:
To the new director of the H.I.A., Christina Papadimitriou, to Dionisis Sotovikis and Sofia Tsiraki, and to Ioanna Kostika for the design of the elegant catalogue. Special thanks are owed to the architects who generously donated their personal artworks to support the Hellenic Institute of Architecture.

Εlias Constantopoulos

President of the H.I.A.