“RSVP” the solo exhibition of Chrysanthi Koumianaki curated by Danai Giannoglou

29.09.22 @ 18:00

Theocharakis Foundation

For the 5th iteration of THF Raw series in autumn 2022, artist Chrysanthi Koumianaki and curator Danai Giannoglou, continue an ongoing dialogue regarding the exploration and articulation of the language and codes of the city of Athens. RSVP is a project that focuses on the immediate surroundings of the B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music, while Chrysanthi Koumianaki approaches the public space through its own vocabulary and creates allegories which bridge the urban fabric with the human body.

Across the Foundation, on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, a ritual takes place, multiple times per day. The elite military unit of Evzones, colloquially known as Tsolias, are nowadays members of the Presidential Guard and execute daily missions of symbolic value, such as guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion. As with most symbolic gestures, the posture, movement, equipment and uniform are specific and precise. Koumianaki “distils” these symbols that relate to the Athenian everyday life, the Greek touristic product, the national identity as well as the idea of the monument and transforms them into protocols of movement that shape a visual translation of the urban web.

With a sculptural installation and a set of rules, that will be embodied by the staff of the Foundation, the artist creates a guided experience inside and outside the building, which becomes a reminder of a constantly urgent reality where one always needs to be on guard. Sculptural elements on the terrace and the façade of the building join performative actions throughout the duration of the exhibition. The visitor is invited to navigate the space as a theater set, continuously moving between the stage and what hides behind it. Who is the guard and what are they guarding?

The artist is inventing and investigating alphabets that lead to alternative communication methods between the audience and the artwork, the building of the Foundation and its’ view. She employs geometry and periodicity as her analytical tools, in order to form systems that can be used for an idiosyncratic comprehension of our lived environment, while always remaining open-ended, as the city herself.

Artist: Chrysanthi Koumianaki

Curator: Danai Giannoglou

Artistic Director: Marina Miliou-Theocharakis

Exhibition Production Assistant: Nefeli Siafaka

Communication: Eva Karagiannakis

Technical Support: Fanis Kafantaris, Spiros Chatzigeorgiou, Kaur Deljit, Ram Kaler, Sandi Riaset

Duration: September 29–November 25, 2022

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 – 17:00

Thursday: 17:00 – 21:00

Performance hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 14:53, 16:53

Thursday: 16:53, 18:53

*Opening Performance hours:18:53, 19:53, 20:53