The Herakleidon Museum is pleased to present the exhibition titled Cellular by the distinguished sculptor Antonia Papatzanaki from April 16 to August 25, 2019, curated by Nina Fragopoulou, Doctor of Biology in collaboration with Thodoris Koutsoyiannis, Doctor of Art History.
In the series of works entitled Cellular, the artist explores the concept of the organic unit, the basic cell of life. Papatzanaki is inspired by biological cell structures, their inherent light, and their universality. The series moves among sculpture, engraving, and painting. Each work consists of successive panels of engraved Plexiglas illuminated by internal light sources, while its organic shapes are colored and highlighted by the refraction of light on the carvings. Whether as luminous works (made of Plexiglas, stainless steel, and light) or as prints on paper, the artworks manifest the artist's constant interest in the world and its foundational elements and suggest the primary role of light in the existence of life.
The exhibition Cellular aims at providing the public with a distinct visual experience, scientific knowledge regarding the basic unit of life — the cell — and the role of light in life’s maintenance. To this purpose, the exhibition is accompanied by scientific lectures and educational programs for school students.
Antonia Papatzanaki was born in Chania, Crete and is a renowned Greek artist who lives and works in Athens and New York. She was educated at the Athens School of Fine Arts, the Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna, and Pratt Institute in New York, where she acquired her Master of Fine Arts. Papatzanaki is the recipient of many prestigious awards in addition to winning Panhellenic and international competitions for the creation of public art. Several of her outdoor public sculptures are permanently installed throughout Greece. Papatzanaki has exhibited widely in more than 60 solo and group exhibitions in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her work resides in numerous private collections, as well as the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Copelouzos Family Collection, the Vorres Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete, the American College of Greece, and the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania.
LECTURES
Monday, May 6, 18:30 – 20:00: Light and Life
Yiannis Manetas, Emeritus Professor, Department of Biology, University of Patras
Wednesday, May 22, 18:30 – 20:00: I Go to School and the Arts Are There
Maria Kotoula, Doctor of Philology, & Christina Papazissi, Doctor of Biology, Educational Project Manager for Sustainability
Thursday, June 6, 18:30 – 20:00: From a Cell to Human: The Invaluable Gift of Life
Ioanna Mastromina, Doctor of Embryology, Clinical Embryologist at Embryogenesis, a medical unit of assisted reproduction
EDUCATIONAL-INTERACTIVE PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS
Biology and Art: The Cell
Program design and scientific consultation: Nina Fragopoulou, Doctor of Biology
Program attendance during the exhibition in consultation with Herakleidon Museum,
16 Herakleidon Street, Monday and Tuesday 10:00 - 14:00, Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 - 18:00