Elementary Devices - Savvas Christodoulides

Omikron Gallery proudly presents Savvas Christodoulides solo exhibition, titled Elementary Devices.

As integral components of the works of art, objects – small utilitarian and decorative items and larger pieces such as furniture and boxes – attempt, by becoming part of the artwork, to erase their primary function. The objects, having become components of the artwork, define and simultaneously demarcate, a new conceptual platform alongside the idea of gathering objects (récupération) and of a notion of formalistic re-invention. In Denis Diderot’s Aesthetics, the author refers to the art of gathering, coining it as “a virtue of collecting forces and materials.” He himself understands the paradox that is given existence from the “marriage” of assorted items as a crease in reality, and by extension as an expression of generosity and faith towards the objects themselves.

The works examine the possibility of delineating another expression or “pronunciation”, if you may, of the familiar outside the tangible limits of utilitarian parameters, in other words outside of that which we refer to as foyer. Something that is familiar is but a transparent and liberating overlook of perception upon the broad scope of the poetics of everyday. Essentially – in reference to the artworks, of course – this is a process of reviewing and reinterpreting the familiar. “Illuminate your objects according to your own sun, which is not the sun of nature,” as Denis Diderot very poetically writes in Random Thoughts. The French philosopher’s powerful urging underlines his perception that familiarity results from each individual’s innermost enlightenment.

Each work comprises an essential twisting of memory recall. One may refer to unorthodox ways of this memory recollection – trick – bearing in mind the formalistic parameters that govern the very recollections themselves. The works entitled Kaktokypos (Cactus Garden), Finikokypos (Palm Tree Garden), Mnimeio gia Xylokopo (Monument to Woodcutter), Gevma gia Dio (Meal for Two) and O Teleftaios Episkeptis (The Last Guest), collectively symbolise mnemonic compositions. These are positioned, or rather re-disposed, on the ground in interlocking positions [one inside the other] or layered [one on top of the other], so as to create memorial tricks, or better yet, micro-monuments.

Opening: Friday 26th November 2010 at 8.00pm. The exhibition will be on until 31 December 2010.

Opening Hours
Monday-Friday: 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.00
Saturday: 10.00-14.00

For additional information, please contact Maria Stathi (tel. 22678240).