astrolavos | art galleries

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On Thursday 1 st of November , in the Art Space of Astrolavos dexameni (Xanthippou 11, Kolonaki, tel: 210 7293342, 3, fax: 210 7293317, opening hours: Tu-Fr 10.30-14.00 & 18.00-21.00, Sat 10.30-14.30, www.astrolavos.gr) open two individual exhibitions. A painting exhibition by Martin Donef , entitled: " The Elements " (lower gallery level) and a photography exhibition by Natalia Dokoumetzidi , entitled: " Portrait of a Place " (lower gallery level).

Martin Donev

Martin Donev

Martin Donev

Martin Donef , presents works of large dimensions, which stylistically, could be pigeonholed in Geometric Art, with cross parallel references, influences from contemporary readings from Op Art, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism. The space, a real and false notion, and its different architectural elements are approached by emphasizing upon basic formal structures; represented here by painting with design sharpness, accuracy and simplicity. The exhibition works are separated in two units; the colored and the black ones, which have a lot of common characterizes and few differences.

In the first unit of the colored works the charcoals design, discretely imprints through a geometric form the representation motives-spaces on the varied acrylic surfaces. The artists work is a result of a quest for basic laws that dominate space - taking into consideration - the human being as a spectator. This way there is a meaning in the projection which is characterized by the constant movement of object/subject and vice-versa.

This movement is expressed by a thinner layer of rich color surfaces, tone changes and expressionistic writing which operate as background. A vivid contrast is the complete space, geometric and curious, visible yet basic and analytical with main artistic element the line. These two spaces have a vibrant relationship between them, either when in battle or maintaining a harmonic position. Notions of perspective and depth are approached, at times more realistic and other times more ambivalent, while the purpose of the work is to enlist a fact by taking into consideration the notion and the multilateral nature of man, who in time, will become the object of promotion.

In the unit of the black works, the artists' goal is to stress the two-dimensional nature of the work of art, while simultaneously to represent spaces which are characterized by repetition of elements. Also to stress out the simple, balanced and enigmatic relationship between shape and space. The work is treated as an object and not as a window into space, fact that stresses the metaphysical aspect thus creating a sense of eye-illusion.

The leading role in these works has the execution which flows throughout the painting surface and offers the density and concrete result like the industrial product. The purpose of the artist in this unit is to create images of self-address, but also able to get the viewers' full attention.

Martin Donev

Martin Donev

Natalia Dokoumetzidi

During the same period, in the middle level of the gallery, is presented a collection of photos by Natalia Dokoumetzidi , entitled: "Portrait of a Place". The works-photos of this exhibition imprint a kind of photographic surrealism, the continental and the naval scenery, of a place, to which the artist/photographer chooses not to unveil its identity, this way altering many of the natural elements by digital shots and specific computer processing.

Hard lines, vivid contrasts attribute in an almost painting way the deep lacerations of time on earth, in the shape of our place, of every place.

The theatricality of the day that leaves is enlisted on the photographic paper though an almost metaphysical light separating and connecting the earthly from the divine. Large shapes covering the space and the oblong, horizontal synthesis attribute to these pictures a feeling of peace and quietness. This feeling, though, is on purpose revoked through certain tensions and picks, creating a dramatic shadowing on the image and the texture vibrations. The photo treatment is as authentic as the first photo shot. The deliberate composition of certain elements which are not part of the primary shots , evident in the shadowing, the change in the tone, discoloration of the colored photos or even the repetitious composition of certain motives, are made from the artist with the outmost intention to attribute artistic emphasis to the aesthetics of the picture and of course to the scenery.

Finally, the sense of the alien, non-earthly, the dream - like is achieved. Parallel to the sceneries are presented portraits of people from the same space; scared, rigid, coinciding with the place that has given birth to them. The artist by approaching photographically the natural scenery and man himself, with an artistic look creates a mapping of the most delicate inner tenses.

Duration of exhibition: 1 st November until 1st December 2007.

Natalia Dokoumetzidi