Για την Ελληνική Εκδοχή

This spring ATOPOS cvc embarks on a year-long collaboration with the Greek National Opera in the context of Atopos Unbound and the visual arts programme marking the centennial of Maria Callas’ birth, presenting the project UNBOXING CALLAS.
Inspired by the performative act of unboxing, as popularized by online communities, the program will explore an interdisciplinary understanding of Maria Callas, her contribution, her legacy, and the myth that was created in her name. Throughout the program, we will explore the archives that relate to Maria Callas, through interpretative, and performative lectures, presentations, and study sessions as well asthrough new contemporary artworks inspired by specific records from the archives.
The first part of Unboxing Callas will be presented from 4 May until 9 June 2023 inside the GNO Foyer at the SNFCC: a multi-format art installation titled From Callas to Medea, installation inthree acts. This event forms part of the 2023 UNESCO Maria Callas Anniversary proposed by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Taking the new production of Medea as its point of departure, in the first part of Unboxing Callas Vassilis Zidianakis invites the visual artist Panos Profitis to undertake a multi-format art experiment entitled From Callas to Medea, installation in three acts. The installation is presented for the first time on all the levels of the foyer of the Greek National Opera, inspired by the serendipity of unexpected artistic and personal encounters that take place within this space. Panos Profitis’ work connects aspects of the myth of Medea, through the myth of Callas herself, through a performance that will take place at the opening of the exhibition, a sculptural, and a video installation. On the fifth floor an artistic presentation of archival material relating to the production of Medea, directed by Alexis Minotis, with Yannis Tsarouchis designing the set and costumes, and Maria Callas starring as Medea at the Dallas Civic Opera and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. The archival records are part of the National Opera’s archives, as well as the Katina Paxinou and Alexis Minotis Archive from the Hellenic Literary and Historical Archive of the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank, and the Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation. Drawings and parts of the costumes designed by Yannis Tsarouchis from the Costume Department of the Greek National Opera, along with notes and stage direction notebooks by Alexis Minotis, engage in a dialogue with additional sketches and sculptural elements, like molds and casts by Panos Profitis, in a timeless exploration of the myth of Medea according to the myth of Callas. The installation is creatively mapped by the artist Chrysanthi Koumianaki, in the context of her ongoing work, inspired by the Katina Paxinou and Alexis Minotis Archive.

Callas Centennial programme curator: Giorgos Koumendakis
Unboxing Callas curator: Vassilis Zidianakis
Artistic concept, execution: Panos Profitis
Curatorial associate: Steffi Stouri
Scientific advisor: Sophia Kompotiati
Printed matter, ongoing work-in-progress: Chrysanthi Koumianaki
Act III was filmed by Yorgos Athanasiou
Acts I & III features the dancer Vera Zouka
Production Manager: Sophia Theodoraki

Display Design: Jose Ballerzosa