Tsihrítzis Foundation for Visual Arts, Athens
The Tsichritzis Foundation for Visual Arts (IETT) was established in 1999 by lawyer and art collector Philippos Tsichritzis as a non-profit institution dedicated to the support and promotion of the visual arts. Located in Kifisia, Athens, the Foundation is housed in a modernist building designed by civil engineer Michalis Oros, providing an intimate architectural setting for exhibitions and cultural activities. Since its establishment, the Foundation has developed a sustained programme intended to foster an active centre for visual arts in the northern suburbs of Athens.
The Foundation presents a diverse program of exhibitions, bringing together established and emerging artists and engaging with a broad range of contemporary artistic practices, including painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and other forms of visual expression. Its exhibition history demonstrates an ongoing commitment to creating a space for dialogue between different artistic approaches and ideas, while making contemporary art accessible to the public. Through this sustained cultural activity, the Tsichritzis Foundation has established itself as a significant exhibition venue within Athens's contemporary art landscape.
The Tsichritzis Foundation for Visual Arts and Odos Panos Publications present the group exhibition The Gaze of Each, featuring the work of 46 prominent Greek visual artists.
Conceived and organised by writer Eleni Oikonomou and coordinated by translator and cultural events coordinator Gina Karvounaki, the exhibition brings together 46 artists who draw inspiration and embark on their own individual artistic journeys, each guided by a personal creative compass, while sharing a common point of departure: the book Sharks and Elephants by Eleni Oikonomou, published by Odos Panos in 2022. The aim of this original artistic event is to present and bring greater visibility to the literary work while simultaneously highlighting the individuality of each participating artist. Through works shaped by the personal impressions left by their reading of the book, the artists convey their own perspectives on themes including hardship, brutal labour exploitation, emigration, injustice, suffering, and love.
The exhibition will be hosted at the Tsichritzis Foundation for Visual Arts from 22 September to 7 October 2023. The opening will take place on Friday, 22 September at 6:00 p.m. in the courtyard of the Foundation and will coincide with the presentation of the novel. The book will be introduced by translator and cultural events coordinator Gina Karvounaki, director and writer Tasos Lertas, and painter Nikos Oikonomidis.
The opening event will also bring together multiple artistic disciplines. Classical guitarist Evangelia Gatzì will perform two pieces of her choice, taking the audience on a musical journey through emigration and the Triangle Waist Company textile factory. Piano and music theory teacher Anna Vogiatzi, together with violinist Dimitris Demelis, will perform Peristeraki Mou, a musical composition by the author inspired by the lives of the novel’s protagonists. Finally, actress Viktoria Karakasoglou will transport the audience into the troubled world of Mrs Czetkin, who mourns the loss of her daughter, through a theatrical monologue. At the opening of The Gaze of Each, literature, painting, printmaking, sculpture, theatre, and music will come together in an interdisciplinary celebration of the arts.
Concept and Curatorship: Eleni Oikonomou
Coordination: Gina Karvounaki
Opening Night
September 22, 2023
Participating Artists:
Konstantina Emmanouela Angelopoulou, Christos Angelopoulos, Giorgos Anastasiadis, Maria Argyarakopoulou, Margarita Vasilakou, Pantelis Vlasiou, Evridiki Maria Ventouri, Stella Caviart, Stella Giagkouli, Katerina Grafanaki, Anna Dama, Kostis Daras, Giannis Dialinos, Georgia Zirouni, Niki Zirouni, Efi Funck, Theodora Kokkinou, Konstantinos Komninos, Alexia Koudigkeli, Angel Kourkoulou, Filippos Koutrikas, Ioanna Lignou, Angeliki Louka, Chrysanthi Maggidis, Evina Makri, Dora Mantsou, Ariadni Mesogeiti, Orfeas Batsios, Maria Moutsou, Nikos Oikonomidis, Anna Oikonomou, Iro Oikonomou, Ioanna Paliokosta, Giorgos Pallis, Io Papa, Eleni Papagiannopoulou, Fotini Pappa, Eleni Politopoulou, Vicky Samouilidou, Giannis Stefanakis, Filia Tzieraki, Vasiliki Theou, Tania Trepeklī, Kerasia Touliatou, Maria Tsitsani, Athena Chatzi.
