Young art the focus at HAU
The Hellenic American Union’s efforts to present contemporary European art to the Greek public continues with a new exhibition called «Black & White,» due to open on Monday, February 6. The tribute, which is thematically connected to the exhibition «Lost in Translation» that was hosted by the HAU in February last year, features 18 young artists from different countries around Europe, all of whose works suggest a fresh artistic mentality. What the works have in common is their lack of color. The use of black and white, or just white, is a reference to the selective logic of conceptual artists, who remove colors so as to make their work’s message even more poignant. The issues touched upon by the 18 artists include technology and its changing role in modern society, the search for our inner identity, the projection of personal feelings and the dialogue of the artist with the object. Slovakia’s Erik Binder, for instance, was inspired by the large jumble of wires and electrical equipment surrounding our contemporary existence for his work «Elektro Installation.» Marko Blazom, who is known for making use of everyday items in his work and arranging them in interesting new ways, photographed a snail climbing along an electric iron. In «Mystery Boy,» Italo Zuffi – an artist hailed as being one of the most interesting representatives of the young Italian art scene – explores the various visual aspects of his photographic object. Paris-based Valerie Belin’s untitled work shows useless objects shortly before they are recycled. The photographer has a reputation for using her lens to give familiar scenes a new interpretation. The exhibition also features two paintings by British artist Julian Opie, well known for his landscapes and portraits. Participating artists also include Maria Finn, Mark Titchner, Marc Bijl, Noe Sendas, Joachim Fleischer, Vera Lutter, Irini Miga, Cristoph Raitmayr, Jonathan Callan, Yumiko Yoneda, Anita Zabilevka, Artemis Potamianou and Giorgos Sapountzis. The exhibition will open on February 6 and will run to February 26 at the Hellenic American Union (22 Massalias, Kolonaki, tel 210.368.0000). Viewing hours are noon to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Saturdays.
