Rings of colossal proportions
Familiar objects made in epic proportions undoubtedly offer a whole new perspective on them. Showcasing a collection of 19 works, «Ring Sculptures,» constructed by artist Aphrodite Litti, are currently on display at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum. The exhibition runs to May 27 and is sponsored by Ethniki Insurance. Larger than life Litti’s larger-than-life rings inspired Ioanna Lalaounis-Tsoukopoulou, the museum’s director, in a number of ways. Though this has long been a welcoming home for the decorative arts, Litti’s works became something of a challenge, balanced as they are between the fine and applied arts. Given their dimensions, another twist here was dealing with the works’ actual display. At the museum, visitors are kindly invited to go on a three-floor sculpture trail – from top to bottom. The journey begins in the neoclassical construction’s loft area and terrace, where Litti’s «Double Shield» (featuring inox and platinum mosaic pattern) traces the craft of making mosaics back to antiquity, while highlighting the power that the object gives to its owner. More works situated outdoors include the «Amethyst Wedding Band.» Made of inox and large chunks of amethyst, this ring sculpture was inspired by the discovery of family heirlooms dating back to the late 19th century. Initially worn by people very dear to the artist, it became the starting point for the development of the ring collection in the first place. Jewelry techniques A graduate of sculpture, mosaic, the art of fresco and icon painting at the School of Fine Arts in Athens, the artist was appointed museum sculptor at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens in 1979, while taking on a teaching post at her alma mater in 1999. She has participated in various group shows and has showcased her work in solo exhibitions as well. Litti uses jewelry techniques such as granulation as well as metals and semiprecious stones such as crystal de roche for her gigantic rings. Her themes take on various forms: Think lizards and snakes, but also blossoming flowers and leaves, olives, shields and Byzantium. Bursting with organic elements while expressing strong relationships with nature, Litti’s work is also defined by Greece’s folk tradition and a high degree of symbolism, qualities she shares with her work’s current host, master jeweler Ilias Lalaounis. It is this synergy that inspired the artist to create two imposing rings especially for the exhibition – with «The Two Cities,» Litti juxtaposes two major facets of Greek national identity, an ancient temple and a Byzantine church. «I want the audience to come up with their own interpretation,» noted Litti during the show’s opening earlier this week. «It’s a give-and-take relationship.» lias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, 12 Kallisperi, Acropolis. For more information, tel 210.922.1044. The exhibition runs to May 27. For more information, log onto www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr.
