Recently in Santorini, my partner and I wandered the narrow cobblestone streets in Fira and found a contemporary art gallery, of all things, showing recent work of students from Athens School of Fine Arts.  Each artist submitted a trio of works, which were then displayed in grid-like fashion at the gallery in Megaro Gyzi Hall.

Exhibition Notes

At first glance, the room looked to be filled with 100 or so paintings by the same artist.  But then a closer look unexpectedly reveals that the 2-D works showed a wide range of subject matter and media, each set very different from the last.

A painting from 'Art for All - Communicate' at Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.
A painting from ‘Art for All – Communicate’ at Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.

Paintings in oil easily hung next to mixed-media works.

A collage of leather pieces as seen in 'Art for All - Communicate', at Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.
A collage of leather pieces as seen in ‘Art for All – Communicate’, at Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.

What holds this exhibition together, and prevents it from flying off into the complete randomness that one might get from a university showing, is the tight installation of closely-spaced columns of threes, of identically sized works. Beyond that, each artist was free to approach, and in some cases, go slightly beyond the constraint of the square 50 cm canvases.

What results is an intriguing set of 111 ideas that converge into a spectrum of artistic talent from the Greek Islands.

Installation view of 'Art for All - Communication' in Magaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greek Islands. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.
Installation view of ‘Art for All – Communication’ in Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greek Islands. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.

More information

Exhibition details:  ‘Communicate – Art for All’ at Megaro Gyzi hall runs from 10 June – 10 September 2013, in Fira, Santorini of the Greek Islands. Free entrance.

Installation view of 'Art for All - Communication' in Magaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greek Islands. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.
Installation view of ‘Art for All – Communication’ in Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greek Islands. Photo courtesy Kelise Franclemont.

Participating artists: Athanassiadou Eleni, Aligizaki Marilena, Anagnostopoulou Alexandra, Voulgaris Kostas, Vyrra Maria, Gardiakos Sotiris, Goulema Nikoletta, Daktylidi Olina, Djepaxhija Beskida, Efstathopoulou Alexia, Zervou Dimitra, Theodorou Markos, Thiveou Mary, Karatza Lila, Kokkaliaris Andreas, Kolympiri Marilia, Kourkounaki Stella, Krallis Aggelos, Lina Christina, Louizou Maria, Lykou Isis, Mantzou-Sakellariadou Alexandra, Mavraidis Aggelos, Mitakou Vassiliki, Nikas Yorgos, Ntountounaki Evelina, Ntourakos Ektoras, Panagopoulou Christina, Pavlou Anastasia, Prokou Niki, Rentl Mariliza, Spiliotopoulos Andreas, Stathopoulos Nikos, Tapinou Maya, Tziallas Vassilis, Tsirigou Despina, Tsoptsi Rafaella

The entrance to Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy www.magarogyzi.gr
The entrance to Megaro Gyzi Hall, Fira, Santorini, Greece. Photo courtesy http://www.magarogyzi.gr