With the evaluation of the 1st International Sculpture Symposium and the presentation of works and artists, the artistic development of the Lake Plastiras Open-Air Museum of Contemporary Art was completed for the year 2024, with the financial support of the German Embassy. At a special event held at the “Ant.Samarakis” Cultural Center in Morfovouni, coordinated by the Deputy Mayor for Culture, Ms. Yianna Podimata.
Ms. Marianna Dodou, (Dr. Civil Engineer – Dr. Philosophy) presented the philosophy of the Open Air Museum of Contemporary Art, through the “logic of the Eco-Place of the Art Work at the YMST “Space-Time Unwritten”: a new Eco-philosophical approach. Simultaneously with the speech, all artist’s works were presented, along with speeches and photographs.
The mayor of Lake Plastira, Mr. Panagiotis Nanos, thanked all those who contribute to the development of the YMST, saying that it is an innovative Environmental project in Lake Plastira, with unique elements, that introduce the area to the international map of Art and Culture. The mayor mentioned the characteristics that make the YMST unique: “Here Nature emerges as an artist, through works scattered throughout the space, while in full development there will be a Collection of Microsculptures of Nature. It was designed based on a new philosophical proposal (Mr. M. Dodos) as a House – Place of Art, where the concepts of house and place are highlighted here with the ancient Greek meaning, while art is the means for the “House” as perceived by each visitor”.
Ms. Thei Kandila, urban planner and engineer, head of the YMST study, presented the topic “Designing the Open-Air Museum of Contemporary Art, a Project that comes from the Future: challenges and Prospects”. Ms. Kandila referred to the study and, among other things, stated that “it is a project with special requirements and difficulties, however, upon completion, it is intended to become an international landmark, with high added value for our region, given that it will have a significant influence on the development of thematic Cultural Tourism”
The emeritus professor of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the National Technical University of Athens, Mr. Thodoros Papagiannis, stated that he has supported the Municipality’s effort since 2020 when he first visited the site. He responded to the invitation because he believes the site has all the conditions for artistic development and can quickly evolve into a great space for art and culture. Regarding the works he created, he said that he chose the themes to support Local History visually. The first work is entitled “The guerrilla and his shadow” and aims to highlight the National Resistance in Agrafa.
The work is made of metal located between two dynamic historical points, a guerrilla machine gun and a shell trench of the occupiers. With the second work, he wanted to honor the “Women of Agrafa”, in which two female figures were carved in local stone, as a small recognition of the great contribution of women to the family and society.
The German sculptor Mr. Rainer Fest expressed his joy because he is visiting Morfovouni for the second time to create one more sculpture and as the result of the successful collaboration of 2023 when he made a monument for the burning of the villages by the Italian and German occupiers of 1943. This year he chose to create an installation, the central work is made of chestnut wood, and the mounting frame is made of stone. The aim is to highlight dialogue as a means of resolving differences, and peace in the world, and peaceful coexistence at a collective and individual level.
The Dutch sculptor Ton Kalle said that he usually chooses local stones for artistic creation because he believes they are in complete harmony with the natural environment. His work has the “paths of Orion”, a theme borrowed from Ancient Greek Mythology and harmonized with the philosophy of the YMST. It consists of 4 sculptures carefully placed in the space, oriented towards the sky.
The Italian artist Mr. Francesco Moretti said that he is creating a large-scale metal work, which has as its theme “waiting for peace”. This work, at the request of the municipal authority, is dedicated to Cyprus, which this year marks 50 years of occupation by the Turks and the tragedy of 1974.
The expatriate artist Vasili Vasili, from Canada, stated that he is taking part in the Symposium because he wants to support the development of the open-air museum at Lake Plastiras, which shows the potential. He chose white marble as the material and his work has the title and theme of “Phaos”, as it radiates in the light of the sun and the moon. The work “allows” the visitor to see the “other side” of life through a window. Furthermore, as a work, it acquires a special symbolic value, as it focuses on the peak of Olympus, a place of high mythological significance.
