2021
2423
To face a surface is to surface a face
“the process of reveal: its time, its materials, the change of state, the fissure as knowledge and the fracture as evolution”
artist notes (Oct 2020 - January 2021)
“I can appear in you and you can disappear in me / You can appear in me and I can disappear in you”
artist notes (Oct 2020 - January 2021)
“knowledge can be manifested through numerous fissures”
artist notes (Oct 2020 - January 2021)
“un.mask / un.earth / un.cover”
artist notes (Oct 2020 - January 2021)
Concept
2423 is a new commissioned work in the intersections of video art and performance art. The artist creates a poetic gesture based on human hands as a metaphor both of separation and meeting, of burial, excavation and reconstruction. The performance focuses on the process of reveal: its time, its materials, the change of state, the fissure as knowledge and the fracture as evolution. Focused on the sense of touch, the work has as departing platform gestural themes depicted in sculptural ways in various ancient tombs. Hands set a meeting place for intention and re-creation: actions with multiple meanings across life and death. The gestural threshold reveals both a farewell and meeting, bringing past and future form into a silent dialogue.
Description
Performance for camera, hands, gypsum, fabric, water
Technical: Full HD video, colour, 16:9, stereo sound, single channel
Original shooting format: 4K
Duration: 20:19’
Year: 2021
Credits
Concept - Performance - Creation: Bill Psarras
Filming: John Tsanis
Production assistance: Nansy Charitonidou
Gestural collaboration: Kleoniki Mouliou
Selected Exhibitions
The work has been commissioned for the group exhibition of contemporary art dedicated to Myrtis: A month of art in the War Museum of Athens, which will be run between 25/1 - 22/2/21 at the Athens War Museum. Important Note: Exhibition was postponed due to COVID-19 measures and will be realised during 2021
Acknowledgements
The artist would like to thank Manolis Papagrigorakis, Nansy Charitonidou, Leda Pavli, Kleoniki Mouliou, John Tsanis and Fotis Psarras for their support
Collections
The work has been dedicated by the artist to Myrtis art collection and research project run and conceived by Prof. Manolis Papagrigorakis and his team (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). More info at: www.myrtis.gr
Courtesy of the artist | © 2021 Bill Psarras
documentation photos
* Important Note: Exhibition was postponed due to COVID-19 measures and will be realised during 2021
Myrtis: A month of art in the Athens War Museum (2021)
2423 was conceived for a Myrtis art collection, following the kind invitation of Prof. Manolis Papagrigorakis to participate at the forthcoming art exhibition dedicated to Myrtis (Μύρτις) along with various artists from sculpture, painting and media arts. Myrtis is the name given by archaeologists to an 11-year-old girl from ancient Athens, whose remains were discovered in 1994–95 in a mass grave at Kerameikos (Athens).
Myrtis is believed to have died in the Plague of Athens in 430-427 BC after experts were able to isolate genes of the disease that caused the deadly typhoid fever from her teeth. Her entire skull was found to be in unusually good condition, which is what allowed the reconstruction of her face, a significant feat accomplished by Professor and orthodontist Manolis Papagrigorakis (University of Athens) and his research team, who were able to give a face to an anonymous girl from the Age of Pericles [info: e-Kathimerini newspaper]
DATE: 25 January - 21 February 2021 [postponed due to COVID-19 measures]
VENUE: Athens War Museum (Greece)