Underground Art in Athens

Next Stop: Larissis

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) “Stathmos Larissis” on line 2 of the Athens metro, which is connected to the capital’s central railway station features on its platforms works of art by Greek artist Yiannis Gaitis.

Gaitis (Athens 1923-1984) is known for his small figures of men –”little men”- a trademark of his personal style that marked his work throughout his career. Having appeared for the first time in 1967, they gradually grew bigger and converged on a central theme. Since the 70s, their form has become fixed and they have been reproduced constantly and in an impersonal manner, denouncing thus the mechanisms of society.   After 1974, they come in three sizes, in groups and in various manifestations: children’s toys, everyday objects, furniture, fabrics, and were even used in fashion shows and film productions.  Gaitis studied at the School of Fine Arts in Athens (1942-1944) and at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. By the 80s, at the peak of his career, he had displayed his works at several exhibitions around the world. Major retrospective exhibitions of his work were held at the National Gallery of Athens in 1984, the Benaki Museum in 2006 and the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki in 2008.

Advertisement

Greece: People with Disabilities & Mass Media

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   For the third successive year, an international conference on People with Disability and Mass Media is beinghosted by the Secretariat General of Communication – Secretariat General of Information (SGC-SGI). The conference will be held on June 23-24 at the Press Centre of the SGC – SGI. Journalists, academics and people with disabilities will address the conference. Issues to be discussed include new media and accessibility, communication and autism, as well as Paralympics and the media. Within the framework of the conference, the 2^nd Emotion Pictures: International Documentary Festival on Disability takes place on June 21-23, 2008,at the New Benaki Museum for Contemporary Art and Design. Both events are held on yearly basis and constitute an initiative of the Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos.

The Greek Culture Agenda

Cinema

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    A tribute to Science Fiction Films: From April 3 to 9, in Thessaloniki. The Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Thessaloniki Science Center & Technology Museum “Noesis”, present the tribute “Science Fiction: Science or Fiction?,” which includes science fiction film screenings, as well as an educational programme. At the Olympion Cinema Theater and the Noesis Center. 9^th Francophone Film Festival: From April 3 to 13 in Athens, and from 10 to 16 in Thessaloniki. The francophone production panorama, screening more than fifty French language films, will be presented at the French Institute and Attikon and Apollon cinemas in Athens, as well as at Olympion theatre, in Thessaloniki. 

Mini Guide of 2008 Events in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Always admired for its history, cultural heritage and beautiful landscape, Greece is now respected for the whole spectrum of its comparative advantages. From its status as an energy hub, a financial centre and overall gateway to Southeastern Europe to its leading role in shipping, Greece counts an increasing number of accomplishments and an growing number of friends.  Greece is a well established brand and a timeless destination. A variety of exhibitions, conferences, business fairs, cultural events and research colloquiums are taking place throughout the country on a yearly basis. The following is a selection of such events during 2008.

Introduction to Islamic Literature

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Nefeli Papoutsaki: A concise introduction to Islamic literature, Benaki Museum, 2007.  The book serves a short introduction to the Benaki Museum collection of Islamic art, and includes texts from the major Islamic literatures – Arab, Persian and Turkish – concerning Islamic theology and philosophy as well as the flourishing of the sciences under Islam in the Middle Ages. For a reader wishing to delve further into these topics, there is a specific bibliography at the end of each chapter and a general bibliography at the end of the book.