We are happy to inform you that Dio Horia | Contemporary Art Platform is opening two new solo shows on Saturday, August 22nd: Coco Nuts , by Olga Migliaressi-Phoca, and Wave after wave after wave... It’s all for her, by Alexandros Tzannis. Along with the solo shows, a new installation of the group show Dio Horia from Mykonos will be presented.

Olga Migliaressi-Phoca: Coco Nuts

Olga Migliaressi-Phoca’s work echoes current political and cultural concerns. Her focus is directed towards expressing (through their documentation) the, seemingly unimportant, writings imprinted on the walls by individuals that feel the need to leave a statement on the urban landscape, and make it seen by any passer by.

Throughout her work, Migliaressi-Phoca introduces the character of Karagiozis to reassure that these individuals will not be ignored or drowned down.

Karagiozis is a shadow puppet and fictional character of Greek folklore, originating in the Turkish shadow play Karagöz and Hacivat. He is the main character of the tales narrated in the Turkish and Greek shadow-puppet theatre. The themes of each “Karagiozis” play were adapted to various current social and political issues, as well as to historical events of Ottoman-ruled Greece. These historical “Karagiozis” plays were very popular in the past and during times of crises, as they lifted the audience’s spirits and offered hope. Through the main character, Karagiozis, a puppeteer would satirise authority figures and situations. Ugly and hunchbacked, Karagiozis represented the common folk, in a collision with everyone and everything unjust.

During Migliaressi-Phoca’s solo show Coco Nuts, the shadow puppet theatre of Karagiozis (that traditionally travelled around Greece to spread a story), now travels to Mykonos in order to examine the contemporary culture of the island. Taking into account the different connotations associated with the isle of Mykonos, the work itself feeds off the stereotypes, clichés and prevalent impressions that linger in domestic and international public opinion regarding the most popular Cycladic Island. Particularly playing off the Attraction – Repulsion attitude that has been formed, the work’s context reproduces such factors within its framework. The works as a whole aim at tapping into the specific dynamics of sexual freedom, gender issues, popular culture & lifestyle. In doing so, the traditional figures of the Karagiozis shadow theatre are sexually liberated from society’s taboos on the subject.

Karagiozis & the rest of the gang, assume roles closely related to thematics of sexual freedom, sexual orientation equality and gender equality. So for example Karagiozis The Nudist or Hadjiavatis in Drag, or Kollitiri is Transitioning, are presented in various artworks, taking a stance in promoting equality & acceptance of all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

At the Dio Horia terrace, two neon signs created by the artist (Cocktales and Dreams, 2015 and WellCum to Mykonos, 2015), contemplate similar cultural concerns through the ironic use of another form of street photography that documents and twists iconic pop signs.

Alexandros Tzannis: Wave after wave after wave... It’s all for her

Dio Horia is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Alexandros Tzannis.
Alexandros Tzannis works in a diverse array of media. The exhibition entitled Wave After Wave After Wave... it’s all for her is questioning the matters of time, patience and memory. As a process of reconsidering stereotypical images, landscapes, sunsets and seascapes, the works exhibited transmit a frozen picture of flowing elements.

Presenting a new body of ceramic sculptures and three large scale drawings, the exhibition attempts to capture a summer fantasy- that of an infinite chase of happiness. Moments operating between past and future, creating a blended atmosphere where time merges, anachronistic and placeless, similar to that of Italo Calvino’s novels.

“Using contradictions between high and low quality, between elegance and brutality, between the simplicity of the earth’s way of living and urbanity, my work operates a world’s kaleidoscope by making bridges and connecting ancient with modern and futuristic elements. These practices allow my work to act under the radar of cultural acrobatics. All in all, the digestion of received cultural elements allow the construction of a new artwork using the leftovers of he past.”