A conversation with Christos Venetis in FUKT Magazine #15
The World is a book
Can you tell me about the choice of using the inside cover of ripped books?
“I usually use surfaces of objects that a had past life or a different use. The “symbolism” of the book is more or less familiar, while the torn pages convey a sense of loss, a wound. This series of drawings could be titled Liber Mundi / Imago Mundi. The term “Liber mundi” (the world as a book) suggests the idea of wholeness or, at least, the desire, the craving for wholeness. It is a medieval idea that continued with the Enlightenment Encyclopedia and the full use of written speech. However, it is a known fact that our time is defined by the domination of the image. It is a whole comprised of fragments of two different communication systems.”
How important is the narration in your work?
“Reality itself is a product of narration. The dominant discourse conceals its ficitonal nature and artists acting in this field, either deconstruct this “construct” or reality or narrate alternative stories. However, it is the viewer who completes the narration. So the stories exist within other stories. I believe there is no such thing as an original experience, which is why I use found images to create my own narration.”…
1967 | born in Joaninna, Greece |
1993-1999 | Aristotle University School of Fine Arts, Department of Visual and Applied Arts, BA |
Currently lives and works in Thessaloniki, Greece.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selected)
2019 | Operation Mincemeat Asides, Galerie Martin Kudlek, Cologne / D |
2017 | Liber Mundi/Imago Mundi, Galerie Martin Kudlek, Cologne / D |
2015 | Operation Mincemeat Asides, curated by TinT gallery, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation (MIET), Thessaloniki / G |
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected)
2017 | Walking the Line VI, Galerie Martin Kudlek, Cologne / D |
2015 | Syn-In the framework of ³Antallaxima 1³, Mansion Georgiadi, Mytilene / G |
Art Projects / Art London, participation with TinT gallery, London / UK | |
2014 | Optima mihi in chartis, Galerie Roemerapotheke, Zuerich / CH |
Art Athina, participation with TinT gallery, Athens / G | |
2013 | and I would see flowers through your eyes, Alex Hamilton – Christos Venetis, Patrick Heide Contemporary Art, London / UK |
2012 | Utopia, curated by E. Parpa and M. Stathi, E. Lanitis, Cultural Center, Limassol / ZY |
2011 | Art Athina, participation with TinT gallery, Athens / G |
The Symptom Projects, curated by A. Artinos, M. Kataga, K. Christopoulos, Amfissa / G | |
Reference/Representation, Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki / G | |
2010 | Conversation piece, TinT gallery, Thessalonik / G |
2009 | Ana-Kata 221, curated by D. Konteletzidou, IRIS Cultural Center, Municipality of Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki / G |
Hinterland, Action Field Kodra 09, curated by M. Kenanidou, Kodra Camp, Municipality of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki / G | |
2006 | Zosimades’ Action, Municipal Gallery of Ioannina G |
2001 | Matter-Work, curated by D. Konteletzidou, Vafopouleio Cultural Center, Thessaloniki / G |
2000 | 10R00MS2000, curated by D. Konteletzidou, Kappatos gallery, Hotel St. George Lecabetus, Athens / G |
Millenium2000, Mylos, Thessaloniki / G | |
1999 | |
1998 | Art Athina 6, ZM gallery, Athens / G |
1997 | Art Heineken, Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki / G |
1996 | Merkouria 96, Hellexpo, Thessaloniki / G |