One step further

When we visited and examined the exhibit “Urgent Conversations : Athens-Antwerp”, the following brainstorming was inevitable, but there was one idea that captured the attention of the four of us: the continuing effort to find one’s lost self. How ourself adapts, compromises and is formed under challenging circumstances and in accordance to our environment. In other words, we want to analyse the journey of a person’s self as well as the influences one meets on their way. Therefore, the exhibition, which consists of a series of conversations, will function as a medium so that the visitor can discuss with himself, but also with the artworks.

In order to define this perpetual journey, we will be working on 4 thematic topics that we chose from the overall of the exhibition.

We started with the thematic topic that goes under the title “Dealing with Catastrophe”; We have all experienced catastrophes, some of us bigger, some of us smaller. Art has the ability to provide us with tools to help us reborn, restart and recreate. Through the process of a tremendous disaster, we lose ourselves and we are unable to be redefined under change.

All the elements that constitute our being are questioned when we deal with a catastrophe: some of them are lost, some of them decay and some of them change their shape forever. This reality makes the transition to the next thematic topic on which we will be working, “The Unstable Self”. Nobody is truly in love with himself. We all lose our way, only to find it again. We see ourselves as monsters. Naturally, we are in need of an asset to help us find who we really are and escape our fears and uncertainty.

Through this uncertainty and fear, ourself reaches its borderline in order to discover our new limits and our new identity. The thematic topic “Liminal Difference” explains and depicts exactly that. Our limits, how we perceive the world around us which also stipulate ourselves. We are affected by this world as it shapes our sanity.

One thing is clear at the end of the day: We are matter. And this matter will flow eternally around the world. This is the last thematic topic as well as the end of this journey (which will carry on to repeat itself), “The Flow of the World”, because in reality everything flows and everything will eventually pass, as we are all connected to each other. We can overpass everything with a little help from the people who surround us, but also by having faith in ourselves and that can lead us towards another level of awareness. Indeed, you can’t cross the same river twice.

This idea of ours was shared with Mrs Marina Tsekou, head of the educational programmes in National Museum of Modern Art, who received it with interest and enthusiasm. She suggested that we address this programme to adolescents and young adults who have a tendency towards addictions, as well as co-design it in cooperation with Κ. ΕΘΕΑ (Therapy Center for Dependent Individuals). Tomorrow, Thursday 22/12, we have arranged a meeting with the therapists so we can discuss and start creating.

Stay tuned…

Athanasios Stavros Armpiros

Nefeli Gkoni

Rafelia Thiraiou

Daphne Rinte