MONTH IN REVIEW: October 2024
A roundup of this past month’s art and design news about the makers and creators from Greece and Cyprus
Artist Eleni Psyllaki completes a new mural in Athens
A Female Figure in Red and Purple Garb is a new mural by architect and painter Eleni Psyllaki located on Lagoumitzi Street in Athens. This is the latest work in a series of public art installations commissioned by the Onassis Foundation to support Greek artists and transform Athens’ urban spaces. The mural depicts a powerful woman standing amidst an ancient Cretan olive grove, her arms reaching towards the sky as she interacts with the clouds and their shadows. Psyllaki's signature style, characterized by earthy tones, acrylic paints, and vessel-like forms, creates a sense of familiarity and invites contemplation for passerby.
For this show, Iacovos presented a new series of colorful artworks under the title Conscious Mapping. Co-curated by Katerina Rebello Savvides and Sanaz Nazemi Agha, the exhibition touches on urban planning and its relationship with artistic expression and particularly street art. “His work depicts strong elements of social commentary and humor. During his art residency placement in Japan in 2023, Loizou became enamored with vibrant Japanese street art and this influence is deeply woven into his artistic practice as he seeks to create urban environments that reflect cultural richness and community engagement,” said the organizers.
The new Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Athens opened to the public
The new hotel – home to Ace’s second Swim Club after Ace Palm Springs – aims to attract fresh creative crowds to Glyfada, with its 120 guest rooms, layered lobby, coffee counter and gallery, restaurant and pool. The location spans an iconic 1970s hotel structure that was renovated by French architectural and design studio Ciguë. The brutalist façade of geometric white cube cantilevered balconies honors the area’s vernacular. Alphonse Sarthout, co-founder of Ciguë said that “The building was stripped down to its concrete skeleton to reinforce it without destroying it and to enhance its geometric purity.” A mural in different shades of blue by Claire Manent decorates the side of the building.
Inside, there are moments that allude to Greek mid-century modernism and the country’s contemporary artists. They include paintings by Eleni Psyllaki, sculptural objects by Despina Charitonidi, and paper collages by Theo Michael (among 18 local artists in the hotel’s art program).
Alekos Fassianos: Sailing to Byzantium opened in Zeyrek Çinili Hamam
The 500-year-old Zeyrek Çinili Hamam opened its first exhibition in its recently discovered Byzantine Cistern. Unseen works by Alekos Fassianos as part of this solo show curated by Anlam de Coster in collaboration with Alekos Fassianos Museum and Estate are on display. Five major works are presented for the first time (including a painting about Istanbul) and others are on display outside of Greece for the first time.
Held in the Byzantine cistern underneath the hammam, the evocative setting conjures new thematic connections with the artist. It shows this selection of works in response to the history of the hammam. The cistern will continue to serve as a space for contemporary art interventions, complementing the adjacent museum.
The show runs until December 31, 2024.
Jeweler Nikos Koulis unveiled its new flagship in Athens
London-based architecture firm Bureau de Change completed the new flagship store for jeweler Nikos Koulis. The store’s design is a blend of contemporary architecture and traditional craftsmanship. The firm transformed the 1960s facade with aluminum that references the proportions of the city’s historic walls. In some areas, the aluminum is embossed with a pattern inspired by the intricate detailing found on 19th-century jewelry boxes. The base of the facade is complete with solid travertine and marble, which helps create a dialogue between the old and the new.
There is a focus on contrast and layers inside– silk wall coverings soften the light and custom oak flooring composed of thin brushed planks add texture. A statement staircase at the back of the store is concealed behind beveled glass panels. It leads to a mezzanine level that has a private salon and viewing room. This upper floor creates a double-height opening in the store and adds a sense of drama and openness.
