Ancient Messene in the Peloponnese is a thrilling archaeological site. The excavation work of Professor Petros Themelis and his team has already been embraced by visitors and local residents. It is a whole world in itself, an influential piece of the country and the world’s cultural heritage.
In this very space, an artistic invasion has taken place by Ioli Xifara and Alexandra Athanasiadou. The two artists, with the diligence of by Louisa Karapidaki and the full support of Petros Themelis, use their works as an unbroken continuity of ancient and modern art. “After music and theater, I very much wanted to open the space to visual art.” explains Thelemis. “With with approval of Central Archaeological Council (CAC) and the Ministry of Culture, of course,” he continues. “I like the maturation of the archaeological world in Greece, the way in which it opens itself to different approaches to the archaeological sites.” he says.
“In recent years I have drawn inspiration from Ancient Messene. I visit it again and again. From the first moment, I wanted to work there. I did not want, however, not for a moment, to impose on the place, but to do something for it. To bring each other to life.”
Ravages of Time
Already , the magical space of the preserved city of Ancient Messene host the works of Alexandra Athanasiadou, while Ioli Xifara completes her frescoes in situ. “Athanasiadou’s works are subject to wear and tear, exactly as it was in ancient times. She uses unfinished wood, iron and copper to characterize her works and precisely in this way, she gives the impression that her art is a part of the space. Her pieces give the feeling that they were created from excavation debris, ” says Louisa Karapidaki.
“Ioli Xifara will display frescoes in the area of the gymnasium in the manner of ancient artists, respecting the materials and techniques, and of course the archaeological space itself. Her projects carry antiquity into today.” continues Karapidaki.
The exhibit, whose official opening will take place this September, fully integrates the vision of Themelis and Karapidaki. “The artists are right to invade the site. It is a necessary step for the future of such monuments. In the same context, we should allow the site to operate at night too.” says Themelis. “In the draft proposal to the CAC we emphasized the eternal values of art from antiquity until the present, and the importance of the presence of contemporary art in an ancient city.” adds Karapidaki.
One of the two artists, Ioli Xifara, is excited about the project. “In recent years I have drawn inspiration from Ancient Messene. I visit it again and again. From the first moment, I wanted to work there. I did not want, however, not for a moment, to impose on the place, but to do something for it. To bring each other to life.” she said.
