Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos at the National Archaeological Museum
"Talos – Representations of the Artificial Man" August 2016
Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos attempts a special dialogue with the monumental statues of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. In the exhibition that is hosted in the café of the city's most important museum, the Greek artist creates "Talos", the first artificial creation of antiquity in the image and likeness of man. Thus he attaches monumental dimension in the representation of the artificial man, placing him among the gods and heroes of classical Western civilization, as they are displayed in the halls of the National Archaeological Museum.
The issue of the Artificial Man occurs persistently in the history of the arts and has heavily influenced both the art as well as the academic research of Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos. Talos, unlike other legendary figures was not born but made either by Zeus himself or, according to the myth variations, was presented to Jupiter and ordered by Handyman Daedalus or Hephaistos, god of fire and iron. Archetypal form of the first robot in history, the bronze hero Talos symbolizes the technological developments in metallurgy in prehistoric Minoan-era, with a bronze superhero protecting the institutions and the public good. From Talos as modern anthropomorphic robot, there have been recorded in the mythology of the imaginary human endless efforts to create the ultimate machine. This fascination of creature that is made by its human creator is reflected in classical literature, cinema and contemporary pop culture. In the visual narrative to link human and machine the artist creates a series of works made with ink on paper.
The event takes place in the celebration of 150 years since the foundation of the National Archaeological Museum. With the advent of the radical transformation of the garden on the atrium and its enrichment with 700 new plants, the artist "carries" the garden within the exhibition space, in an autonomous section of 16 works executed in ink, egg-tempera and gold leaf on wooden panel.
Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos (b. 1975) belongs to the new generation of Greek artists who simultaneously use traditional techniques and digital media. He creates painting, drawing, prints, comics and he is the co-founder of the “White Island Works” cooperative. Papamichalopoulos is also well known as an illustrator through his work in newspapers and magazines (Athens Review of Books, De Groene Amsterdammer, Kathimerini, Eleftherotypia, To Vima etc). He is currently a PhD candidate at the Panteion University and his proposed research thesis is titled "We are all cyborgs: The new representation of the Artificial Man in Deus Ex" .
The exhibition is curated by art historian George Mylonas.
Opening 1st of August at 8.00 p.m. The President of Japan Tobacco International will be honored for the renewal of the Atrium in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Operating hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 - 20:00 until 31st of August.
Opening: MONDAY 1st of August 2016 at 20:00.
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