Judgement, 2003-2006
I enter: monasteries, parliament, the Academy, bank basements, the Dean’s office, the courts of justice, the Holy Synod, city planning archives, museums, the web of institutional buildings where you need permission to enter.
The idea of my recent work originated in some thoughts about the employment and the evolution of the Athens Superior School of Fine Arts teaching staff members (ASKT), where I teach. I am interested in the judgment on artistic work, in the institutionally established mechanisms of access control. I observed as both judge and judged, isolated individuals trying to impose themselves on others. I originally used about 30 images; I broadened the theme by employing also other venues of judgment, which are simultaneously and alternatively being projected on two monitors. It is not a simple issue, naturally. It is a painful procedure, which condenses a system of values. Justice is an absolute value, it is positive. It is considered to be the foundation stone of democracy and freedom. Quality presupposes critical judgment as well as a certain morality. Critique like war tends to unite the crowds, in small or bigger groups against others, possibly smaller. It is the struggle of the good ones against evil. It is interesting that in older times, “crisis” in greek also meant some trouble, or tyranny. To judge is to distinguish and discern. I compare, I exclude, I decide. Finally, I condemn, I elect, and I reward: an activity that is part of the creative procedure itself.
Κρίση, 2003-2006
Εισέρχομαι : στα μοναστήρια, στη Βουλή, στην Ακαδημία, στα υπόγεια των τραπεζών, στις Πρυτανείες, στις αίθουσες των εκλεκτόρων, στα δικαστήρια, στην Ιερά σύνοδο, στα τηλεοπτικά στούντιο, στα γραφεία, στα νοσοκομεία, στα αρχεία της πολεοδομίας, των μουσείων, των εργοστασίων, στο πλέγμα των θεσμικών χώρων απαιτείται η άδεια.