The Chamber of Aetoloakarnania in the context of the implementation of the operation "Holistic networking of creative SMEs through collaborative spaces (hubs) Holistic networking of creative industries via hubs - Creative@Hubs", co-organized the 23rd knowledge extension workshop on: "Creation of works of art from recyclable materials, painting on raw materials & aging techniques in the manufacture of images", in collaboration with the “Art Lighting Creations” & “ICONS GENESIS”
The 23rd cultural industry workshop was successfully held in the framework of the "Creative@Hubs" program, on Wednesday October 5, at 18:00, entitled "Creation of works of art from recyclable materials, painting on raw materials & aging techniques in the manufacture of images", carried out, at the "Art Lighting Creations" & "GENESIS ICONS”, accompanied by the appropriate logistical equipment.
The workshop was prefaced by the Hub Manager of the project, Vassilis Artikos, who after welcoming the participants, emphasizing that the workshop took place in a highly hospitable, visual and creative space, at the same time introduced the topic that would follow while making a short introduction for the two speakers – artists, Mr. Antonis Nastoulis (Painter, Hagiographer and Sculptor) and Alexandros Stratoulis (Visual Artist and Decorator) referring to their work and giving the floor to the first speaker.
So, taking the floor, Antonis Nastoulis started from the end, that is, surrealism; he made a historical retrospective talking about the currents that prevailed at times in the so-called Byzantine art in general and hagiography. However, he did not neglect to mention the particularly important fact that surrealism is also strongly found in ancient Greek art. The Art of the early Christian period took elements from antiquity that transformed them into exclusively its own, such as the human form, which, however, it was presented, emphasizing its interiority. The speaker also referred to the separation of style in Byzantine art and hagiography, identifying the geographical areas where they appeared.
Then the floor was taken by Alexandros Stratoulis, who began his presentation by referring to the difference between "Western" hagiography, where beauty is presented in detail, and "Eastern", where it is closer to the spirituality, inwardness, and holiness of the figures. He also referred to the way in which he approaches a material in which a hagiography or a religious theme is to be painted, based, on the one hand, on usability but also on whether it will have a good market value, since the fact that every artist should make a decent living, should not be ignored.
At this point, Mr. Stratoulis explained to the artists participating in the workshop, who were many of them, but also to ordinary people who are interested in art, the reasons that led him along with Mr. Nastoulis to proceed to the joint effort and synergy in order to create not only hagiographic artefacts, but also artistically utilitarian works, which could be used by any customer.
He stressed that the process of finding either old or new materials that are no longer used, is time-consuming, persistent, and sometimes painful since the visual artist often seeks them in abandoned buildings at the risk of even his physical integrity. In this case, however, the essence of artistic creativity is found, since from a "useless" material, the artist creates an object worthy for sale with significant market value. Therefore, he also referred to the creation of art from recyclable materials and the aging techniques in the manufacture of images. Extensive reference was also made to the e-commerce platforms and the possibility given through them, the artists to showcase their works and increase their sales. He even gave as an example the progress of sales of his own business with the use of e-shops during a pandemic.
At the end of the workshop, a constructive discussion with the audience followed as the attendees asked their questions to the instructors while at the same time, they were able to tour the space and look at the works. At the end, a buffet with cool refreshments was offered at the workshop venue.
