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A video installation in Athens has been removed because a priest does not like it

04 June 2015 / 19:06:45  GRReporter
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Naked giants, humanlike figures pressed in a space of only a few metres are propping up a heavy building that symbolizes the system, or rather "were propping up" and "symbolized". Kris Verdonck’s "Caryatids" or the screening of his famous video installation "Stills" at the intersection of Parnasou and Paparigopoulou streets (in Klafthmonos Square) no longer exist. The cultural centre of Onassis Foundation had to suspend the presentation of the installation within the Fast Forward Festival 2 following the protests of a scandalized priest.

In particular, the video installation was shown between 10:00 pm and 01:00 am for several days but a priest who was passing there by chance complained and managed to achieve the dismantling of the installation prior to the scheduled completion of the video performance.

Communication from the Cultural Centre

"Within Fast Forward Festival 2 the cultural centre of the Onassis Foundation informs the public that it had to suspend the presentation of Kris Verdonck’s installation entitled "Stills" at the intersection of Parnasou and Paparigopoulou streets (Klafthmonos Square) following a complaint against its content."

I.e. the famous "Caryatids" by the Belgian artist supported the system until it oppressed them. Nevertheless, there is still hope for the installation to be shown again.

Kris Verdonck on his works

"I made the first Stills in Rome. They wanted to show them on buildings from the time of Mussolini. I went to the region with a grandiose project of 15 buildings that were once offices and are now houses. I would show images on a symbol of the most brutal and rigid system. I thought of the Caryatids, humanoid figures, supporting a heavy building that symbolizes the system. I decided to make my own Caryatids, a man and a woman, tired, who want to support and prop up the system but who are like in a trap. They are already exhausted but continue to do so as do we, although we do not know why we continue...," the artist told website Lifo.

 

Tags: Video installationPerformanceStillsKris VerdonckCaryatids
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