Inauguration of the Tinian Marble Sculptors Exhibition

Yesterday, Wednesday August 8th, the inauguration of the Tinian Marble Sculptors Exhibition took place. The exhibition is held in the Hall of Panormos Cultural Center, located in Pyrgos of Tinos. The marble sculptors dedicate their exhibits to the leading Greek sculptor of modern history, Giannoulis Halepas. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the death of this great artist and on the initiative of the Panormos Cultural Center of the Municipality of Tinos, 2018 has been declared Halepa Year, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.

The Mayor of Tinos, Mr. Yiannis Siotos, the President of Panormos Local Community Mr. Sotiris Printezis, the President of Panormos Cultural Center, Mr. Manolis Sohos, and Art Historian Mr. Manos Stefanidis attended the opening ceremony. The participating marble sculptors and a crowd of people, who wanted to admire the artists’ creations, also visited us.
The program of the event was opened by the President of Panormos Cultural Center, Mr. Manolis Sohos. Mr. Sohos welcomed the artistic public and emphasized that the “Year of Halepa” is developing in the best way, as this exhibition highlights the work of the leading sculptor Giannouli Halepa and the huge legacy he left behind. Still, it combines past with today, demonstrating that modern marble artists are worthy of continuing the art and best representing Tinian marble art and marble sculpture, which was rightly subscribed to the UN Human Rights Representative’s Intangible Cultural List.

Then, Mr. Costas Danousis, a researcher and author, spoke with the audience at the Opening of the Tinian Marble Sculpture Exhibition, sharing his point of view that the Tinian Marble Sculptors developed their ideas and transformed the marble. Thus, in a time of crisis they release their talent, engage in dialogue with ancient art, and at the same time present the future. He also quoted a phrase by the ancient orator Lucian, who tells us in a free translation that “artists must be worshipped as gods because they are creators”.

The marble sculptors then presented the works they sculpted in honor of Giannoulis Halepas. They analyzed what period of their artist’s life and work inspired them and shared their thoughts and feelings with the public. Art historian Manos Stefanidis has made it clear that marble sculpture around the world is slowly fading away. However, the Tinian Marble Sculptors keep this artistic tradition alive. Finally, the Mayor of Tinos Mr. Yiannis Siotos welcomed the great effort of the artists and said he was impressed by their works.

Marble Sculptor Antonis Hondrogiannis wished, this exhibition to become an institution to promote the work of both marble sculptors and Panormos Tinos School of Fine Arts. As he said, his work “Rejection” was inspired by the difficult years of his life.

Marble Sculptor Ioannis Hondrogiannis believes that Giannoulis Chalepas was a man in love with his art and creation, so he wanted to honor him by dedicating Aphrodite to him , goddess of beauty and love. He was inspired by the work of “Aphrodite in a Mirror”, of some sketches of Chalepas depicting the goddess Aphrodite holding a mirror.

Participating Tinian Marble Sculptors

The Tinian Marble Sculptors Exhibition, which takes place as part of the “Year of Halepa”, includes the following 24 Tinian Marble Sculptors: Antonis Hondrogiannis, Giannis Hondrogiannis, Michalis Albertis, Iosif Armaos, Markos Armaos, Filippos Vasilakis, Thodoris Vidalis, Michael Vidalis, George Gaitis, Petros Delotis, Nikolaos Desypris, Onoufrios Desypris, Markos Theotikos, Nikolaos Kollaros, Yiannis Kousounadis, Manolis Kousounadis, Nikolaos Kousounadis, Petros Marmarinos, Ioannis Rallis, Michael Saltamanikas, Makis Trigonis, Iakovos Filippou, Nikos Fortomas, Panagiotis Fortomas.

Opening of Tinian Marble Sculpture Exhibition, Duration, Transportation and Viewing in Other Municipalities

The Tinian Marble Sculpture Exhibition runs from August 4th until August 30th 2018. After its completion, it will be hosted in 4 Municipalities, in the capital of Greece and the region. Specifically, September will be transferred to Ermoupoli in Syros, October to Chios, November to Ioannina, and December to Daphne – Ymittos in Athens.

Host: Municipality of Panormos Cultural Center of Tinos “Giannoulis Halepas”

Curated by: Manos Stefanidis

View here the profile of the Panormos Cultural Center team “Giannoulis Halepas”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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