Her(his)tory (Part I)
Museum of Cycladic Art
Athens, Greece
5 June – 29 September 2007

by Rea Cris

“Her(his)tory (Part I)” is located in the 19th century Stathatos villa, the second of two buildings compromising the Archaeological Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens, for the first time, exhibiting contemporary video-art from both established international artists as well as emerging local artists. Some of the more famous names include Douglas Gordon, Paolo Canevari and Victor Alimpiev. A new emerging artist is George Sapountzis, whose “Knock Knock Monument “(2004) shows the artist under the ghoulish green of night-vision, cello taping kitsch bric-a-brac to his face then paradings around the city emphasising the two faces of monumentalism – ornamental and historical, private and public.

Usually Greek exhibitions are unadventurous, not only in terms of curating, but also in what they choose to exhibit. “Her(his)tory”, on the other hand, is not a retrospective or introduction to contemporary video art and the curation is inventive. Annika Larsson’s “Pirate” (2006/2007), encapsulated in a tiny monitor hangs from the tip of a chandelier. Lina Theodorou’s “Plumbers” (2006) is situated in the bathrooms, both physically and within the artwork, the urinal leering at two belly dancers. Stretched over the empty space created by the stairwell, the viewer, perched over the banister, looks down on Haris Epaminonda’s sexually charged “Nemesis 52” (2003). Dianna Maganias’ “Say Goodbye to the Monkey” (2003) is located in the glass hallway that links the two separate buildings of the museum.
Despite the feminist connotations in the exhibition title, commissioned curator Marina Fokidi explains that “Her(his)tory” is more about expressing personal histories through the evolution of human culture. By housing a temporary contemporary video art exhibition in an archaeological museum with a permanent display, she hopes a new dialogue will emerge about human narratives, such as hope, fear, immigration and modernization, and that the exhibit would incite visitors to revisit the Cycladic art displays and relate to the ancient and contemporary through their own personal histories.

This exhibition is of special interest to me, as I’m curious about new ways of viewing, interpreting and curating the past. Yet I find that “Her(his)tory (Part I)” has failed on the most basic level as it is too focused towards a solely Greek audience. The only information on-site is in Greek, and leaves all other nationalities clueless about the intentions of the curator. The two exhibits are exhibited in two separate buildings, which only emphasises their attraction to the different audience; the tourists go see the Cycladic art, while the contemporary exhibition is more for the Athenian city-dweller. Of course “Her(his)tory” comes in two instalments, therefore let us not jump too hastily to conclusions.
The second instalment of “Her(his)tory,” will open on September the 5th and is to coincide with the first Athens Biennale.

http://www.cycladic-m.gr/
http://www.cycladic-m.gr/en_version/temporary_1.htm
Haris Epaminonda : www.harisepaminonda.com
Miltos Manetas : www.existentialcomputing.com (work in exhibit)
Doug Aitken: http://www.dougaitkenworkshop.com/
Rodney Graham: http://www.donaldyoung.com/graham/rodney_graham_index.html
Gary Hill: http://donaldyoung.com/hill/gary_hill_index.html
Isaac Julien: http://www.isaacjulien.com/home
Annika Larsson: http://www.annikalarsson.com/
DeAnna Maganias: http://www.rebeccacamhi.com/artists/maganias.htm
Tony Oursler: http://www.tonyoursler.com/
Angelo Plessas: http://www.angeloplessas.com/
http://youtube.com/perfectionseeker07 (work in exhibit)
Zineb Sedira: http://www.zinebsedira.com/
The Atlas Group (Walid Raad): http://www.theatlasgroup.org/
Lina Theodorou: http://linatheodorou.com/

Do you want to add your thoughts? Email us at percolatormag@gmail.com and we’ll put them below.