Exhibition “Picasso at the Cyprus Museum. Works in Clay” announced
At the mature age of sixty-five, Pablo Picasso developed a passion for ceramic art, which became one of his main forms of expression until the end of his life. In fact, the famous artist’s systematic engagement with ceramics began in 1946 in Vallauris, while on vacation there. In this village in the South of France, Picasso met the owners of the ‘Madoura’ pottery workshop, Suzanne and Georges Ramié. The couple had reopened an old ceramic workshop with a traditional wood-burning kiln. So great was the artist’s excitement with the place and the potential of clay as a material, that a year later he settled in Vallauris together with his new partner, Françoise Gilot. This was the beginning of an extremely fruitful collaboration with the Ramié couple, who actually put both their workshop and artisans at the disposal of the artist. Thus, the ideal conditions were created for Picasso to begin experimenting feverishly with the various techniques of clay.
The ancient art of pottery, the malleability and durability of clay as a raw material, the unpredictable end result, the combination of arts (painting, sculpture, pottery), the usability and transformation of clay objects were all elements that fascinated Picasso. At the same time, the distinctive features of the South of France and Vallauris in particular, such as the ample space, the light, the fragrances of nature and the simplicity of everyday life, all decisively contributed to the opening of a new and important chapter in the life of the artist. Over the next years and until 1971, Picasso created an enormous number of original ceramic works, which exceed 3,500 in number.
Picasso believed that the art of ancient civilizations “is not a thing of the past”. In his ceramic works, the artist evidently uses various shapes, motifs, textures and themes from antiquity and mythology, without copying them, however. Instead, he created a whole new reality. From his preparatory sketches to his final works, one can distinguish influences from the pottery art of ancient cultures, particularly those of the Mediterranean region.
The exhibition, “Picasso at the Cyprus Museum. Works in Clay”, organized by the Department of Antiquities, as part of the Picasso Mediterranée programme and led by the National Picasso Museum in Paris, presents a small but representative part of Picasso’s ceramic creations, with original and unique works. At the same time, the exhibition includes Cypriot antiquities, grouped in such a way as to highlight specific themes, shapes and motifs of antiquity, whose echoes archaeologists discern in Picasso’s works. The visitor is invited to reflect on and sense possible points of encounter and dialogue, but also common characteristics and traits, many of which could have developed randomly.
Indeed, was Picasso aware of Cypriot antiquities? What is certain is that the artist never visited Cyprus. His work, however, entitled “Faces of a Woman”, which was the spark for this exhibition, was inspired by a Cypriot clay composite vessel of the Early Bronze Age (circa 2000 BC), which is exhibited at the Louvre Museum, while similar ones are part of the Cyprus Museum collection. Although in the “Faces of a Woman” the comparison with a specific antiquity is evident, the choice of Cypriot antiquities for the other Picasso works was made in such a way as to bring to the fore the common themes, the similar motifs, the uses and the unchanged techniques that one can distinguish in the works of the anonymous creators of antiquity and those of the 20th century eponymous artist. For this reason, the interest of the exhibition’s curators focused mainly on issues, such as the masquerading and playing with the bull figure, the anthropomorphism and zoomorphism of the vessels, the elaborate and multidimensional handles, the painted decoration, the posture of the body and the pictorial scenes on vessels.
- The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue in Greek and English.
- Curators: Andri Michael and Eftychia Zachariou-Kaila
- Exhibition Design: Lara Alphas, www.projektbased.com
- Exhibition Graphic Design: Philippos Vassiliades, www.iampin.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
- 2) Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
- 3) Deadline for submiting your film and your project to the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival
- 4) Greek government spokesperson announces launch of Single Digital List of Surgeries
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
24/02 20:39
Greek PM meets Qatar Emir: Focus on bilateral cooperation and investments
24/02 18:25
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
24/02 17:19
MInister: The aim is to make fishing and fish-farming a key pillar of the economy
23/02 23:36
Greek Prime Minister arrives in Doha to be received by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi
23/02 23:26
The Festival of Greek Dances takes place in the Metropolis of San Francisco
23/02 21:32
Revealing "70 Years of Friendship: Greece's photo journey through the Korean War"
23/02 17:15
16 Greek firms showcase at international fashion exhibitions in London
23/02 14:09
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
22/02 18:15
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
22/02 18:13
Temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians extended in Greece to March 2025
22/02 18:10
American Hellenic Institute Golden Jubilee celebration Includes concert on April 12
22/02 18:09
Tourism Minister stresses importance of strong relationship of Greece with Serbia
22/02 17:58
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
21/02 19:47
Twistic and WeavAIR startups clinch the UN Tourism Hospitality Challenge
21/02 18:34
21/02 18:13
Traffic in Athens returning to normal after tractors depart from the Greek capital
21/02 13:01
Greek Tourism Minister in Belgrade for International Exhibition
21/02 00:55
Resilience through diversity and investments the aim of UN Tourism visit to Jamaica
20/02 23:38
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
20/02 20:43
Greek Prime Minister on official visit to India as of Wednesday
20/02 16:51
Minister: Greece wants to become India's gateway to the European Union
19/02 21:19
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
19/02 19:06
Traffic restrictions for farmers' rally in central Athens on Tuesday
19/02 18:11
Greece wins top tourist destination award at Grand Travel Awards in Sweden
19/02 14:23
Health Minister: Option of afternoon surgeries at public hospitals start in Greece
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion
IOBE forecasts 2.4% growth and 10.5% unemployment in Greece during 2024
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
Greek retail sector turnover exceeds last year's figures with €4 billion in December
Development Minister: Supermarket food prices will start dropping in Greece in March
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Construction of Greece-Cyprus-Israel interconnection cable commences
Impressive statue of Hercules unearthed in Philippi of Northern Greece
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
Golden Visa bonus for foreigners buying luxury homes at Ellinikon in Athens
Athens International Airport makes spectacular debut on Athens Stock Exchange
Report: School of St. Nectarios of Roslindale, a Beacon of Greek language and heritage
Greek tax service AADE launches updated website new section on expatriates