Man between Power and Fragility
The focus of the exhibition "Man: Between Power and Fragility” is man himself, who oscillates between power and fragility in all his life's manifestations, whether individually or collectively.
Power is defined as the ability or the capacity someone possesses to accomplish something (physically, psychologically and mentally), to act in a particular manner, to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events leading to a positive or negative outcome. At the same time man can be fragile in other aspects, such as economic, political and social.
While power and fragility seem to be moving in opposite directions, there is a fine line between them. Exerting power on a person already weak and fragile may have either a negative or a positive impact, meaning to impel the person to overcome the obstacles and attain balance in his life. However a person that exerts power and influence can, at the same time, be fragile, since the world he has built around him can collapse at any moment, while someone vulnerable who struggles to find balance, may prove that he has strength and endurance. Sometimes, exerting power, as for example in the case of political authority, may cause tensions that can lead to positive inversions, as it happens in sociopolitical uprisings. Also in love man can be simultaneously vulnerable and indestructible, while even the sexual act can be perceived as the expression of power, dominance and violence and at the same time of love, sensibility, weakness, fragility and submission.
Through their subject-matter and approach, the symbolism and the materials they use, Paolo Incarnato, Thalia Kerouli, Dimitris Skourogiannis and Evangelia Topa provide certain sides of this vacillation that characterizes man, of his power and dominance, of his weaknesses and his vulnerable nature, together with the fine line that exists between power and fragility and the twists that may lead toward one of the two opposite directions. All four artists, directly or indirectly, seek or allude to a man, who according to the Greek etymology of the word (άνθρωπος/ anthropos [human, man] = άνω/ ano [upwards] + θρώσκω/ throsko [look]) is strong and sensitive, who looks upwards and promotes culture, respect, righteousness and justice. Their gaze is turned on “centaur” who gradually reaches and becomes one with his human nature, who strengthens and exercises his mind and his soul, while leaving behind the beast and the base instincts he harbors.
Curated by: Stratis Pantazis
Artists: Paolo Incarnato, Thalia Kerouli, Dimitris Skourogiannis, Evangelia Topa
Back to Athens 7, 2020
μetaΑθήνα / pόστΑθενς
Overcoming crises, Athens on the verge of its new identity
4th floor
48-50 Aiolou str., 105 60 Athens
Opening day: Wednesday, July 1, 16:00 - 22:00
Visiting hours: Thursday 2.7, Friday 3.7, 16:00 – 21:00 Saturday 4.7, 12:00 – 21:00
