IanosArt: Designer objects for daily use
Art is not aimed at reaching only the privileged. This is the message behind a new series of objects designed by established and rising Greek artists. Created for daily use, the objects are already on sale at Ianos bookstores in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The project is a creative collaboration between the aforementioned bookstores, Mikri Arktos Publications, curator Iris Kritikou and the participating artists. The items in the IanosArt series are not aimed exclusively at collectors — although objects are available in limited series — nor are they destined solely for museum and gallery lovers.
The initiative comes during a time of crisis and takes into account the current financial climate.
?Prices start at 3 euros and do not exceed 120 euros,? said Kritikou, who was in charge of selecting the participating artists.
Taking part in the first series, ?Spring-Summer 2011,? are six artists, with Marios Voutsinas and Maria Filopoulou representing the more established generation.
?Our aim is to give a voice to the rising artists,? noted Kritikou. In this way, each collection will showcase new names, with the exception of Chariton Bekiaris, whose portraits of celebrated writers make up the project?s permanent bibliophile series. Bekiaris was the only one who was commissioned to produce works especially for the IanosArt series, while the rest of the artists participated with existing works.
The idea behind the project is to attract interest from all age groups, with an emphasis on younger members of the public.
?Dimitris Taxis, for instance, represents what the young generation would like to see, given that his work includes graffiti and comics,? said the curator.
Also participating in the first series are Alexandra Isakidi and Elena Papadimitriou, while talks are already under way for the next collection, which is scheduled to be unveiled in the fall.
?It is important to note that every series will be about an overall design concept, as opposed to individual objects,? said Kritikou.
The IanosArt series includes notebooks, art de la table products and decorative objects, among others, while artists? names and bios are included in the packaging.
For more information, visit www.ianos.gr.
