Transmutation
«Learn how to see. Realize that
Everything connects to everything else»
Leonardo da Vinci
«Alchemy is a kind of philosophy: a kind of
thinking that leads to a way of understanding»
Marcel Duchamp
«Awareness is the greatest alchemy there is»
Rajneesh (Osho)
From antiquity to the Enlightenment, astrology, magic and alchemy were considered important tools for revealing the mysteries of nature and human destiny. Alchemy was the “key holder” to the secrets of creation. The alchemists were trying to discover the Philosopher's Stone, the elixir of youth and longevity.
The secret art of alchemy and the efforts of the alchemists to discover how the world is created have had a profound effect on culture. Occult traditions have always been important sources of inspiration especially for artists and always had a continuous impact on artistic practice and expression.
The notion of evolution (the basic theory of alchemy is that the matter is only one and it can develop; all entities have a different point of evolution; and given that the law of evolution is a natural one, if the conditions are set based on this law, then the work of nature could be repeated), the notion of transformation and the notion of transmutation (change) were fundamental.
In a period of intense, deep and multifaceted crisis, such as the one we are going through, the notion of alchemy acquires new dimensions. At a time when we are all confronted with the vulnerability of human existence and trapped in the impasse of climate change, a re-understanding of nature and the search for the “Philosopher’s Stone” as a solution and way out seems imperative.
The need for change, for “transmutation,” involves the critical contemplation of the world. We need to discover a new path with a promising ending as defined by the alchemical transformations.
The Great Art (alchemy) as well as art itself participated radically in the awareness of the world. The vital role of art in the “transmutation” of the world is undeniable.
Curated by: Niki Papaspirou and Stratis Pantazis
Participating artists: Antonis Antoniou, Makis Faros, Efi Fouriki, Kornilios Grammenos, Nikos Iavazzo, Andreas Kalli, Katerina Katsifaraki, Andreas Lymberatos, Efsevia Mihailidou, Cornelia Mittendorfer, Dimitra Papagianni.
The exhibition «Transmutation» is curated by Niki Papaspirou and Stratis Pantazis, as a part of the Back to Athens International Art Meeting 2022.
Back to Athens 9 | International Art Meeting 2022 is organised by APART Art Research and Applications under the auspices of the City of Athens, with the support of the Austrian Embassy Athens and the Ministry of Culture of Austria, Zoia, produced and coordinated by CHEAPART, with the participation of the Cultural program Athens Intersection, theculturechannel.com and communication sponsor, dreamideamachine.
Back to Athens 9 | International Art Meeting 2022
No apocalypse now: A review
Isaiah Mansion
65 Patision and Ioulianou str., 104 33, Athens Greece
«Transmutation», 2nd floor
Opening: Wednesday, June 29, 16:00 - 22:00
Duration: June 29 - July 3, 2022
Hours: Wednesday - Friday 16:00 - 22:00, Saturday - Sunday 12:00 - 22:00
