Episode Transcript
[00:00:10] This is the owlcast, the official podcast of ACS Athens.
[00:00:17] Listen to the exciting story of the American community schools of Athens.
[00:00:23] Check out what drives all the members of our international community of learners as we create the education of the future.
[00:00:31] Here's Champapadakis.
[00:00:59] Welcome to a special art and literature edition of the Outcast with virtual sights and sounds from the vibrant 1st Annual ACS Athens Artists and Authors Spotlight. Aptly titled Introspective A Journey Through Visual and Literary Narratives, the Spotlight was organized by the Office of development and the ACS Athens Global Alumni Community on 12-16-20 this past month and was hosted at the lobby of our theater. The art and Literature exhibition hosted works of our alums and members of our community.
[00:01:36] Although an audio description cannot possibly do justice to a highly visual event, it is always a good exercise of our imagination when we listen to the creators themselves trying to make their works audible. So let's picture the ACS Athens campus in the cold December evening at the opening of the Spotlight. Students playing guitar and the grand piano, classical music in the background, and the air of creativity inviting guests who gather to celebrate the creative talents within the community.
[00:02:07] The exhibition space buzzes with excitement. Walls adorned with a kaleidoscope of artworks, each piece telling its own unique. First of all, let me say congratulations to the students that offered the music. Let's give them a round of applause. Thank you.
[00:02:35] I just want to see how many of you here tonight are artists exhibiting your work. If you could put your hand up. Okay, Bravo. Congratulations. How many of you are authors?
[00:02:47] And how many of you are both authors and artists?
[00:02:54] Well, I just want to say I was earlier talking with Mr. Papadakis about how important it is to come together, first of all, our alums, to come back and share with our students and with us some of your very important successes as authors and artists. And this is, first of all, both an inspiration for our students, and it shows them what creativity, you know, can accomplish and hard work. Creativity and hard work together can accomplish. Of course, we have many creative and hardworking students in the school, as you will get to know as you mingle. And it's all. It's wonderful to be able to build this alumni network out there so that whatever happens here in the school can continue beyond that. And everybody has resources and frames of reference to turn to when they're out into the world.
[00:03:49] So I want to congratulate everybody on your work. Thank you for bringing it back to the school. We're very happy to be able to display this and to invite people to share in this journey because really in life, it's all about journey. It's all a journey, it's all an adventure. You never know what you're going to find. You know, there's twists and turns everywhere. But it's really great to know that so many of us here, so many of you have participated in creating that narrative of what life can be like, of what, you know, art can look like, of what writing can be all about. And so thank you for coming and sharing that with us tonight and invite everybody to enjoy the work. Thank you, Mr. Rankis.
[00:04:40] We want to invite here the Humanities corner. Can I have Mr. Llanos, who's also an alum, and Ms. Abacopoulou. Mr. Llanos, because we're celebrating our 50 years for the humanities course. Where do we. Here.
[00:05:00] You have the floor? I have my. Good. What a floor it is.
[00:05:05] Yeah. 52 years, I think. 52 years of the humanities course at ACS.
[00:05:13] Quite a legacy. I think it's, I believe, a seminal course, a pioneering course that was started at ACS many years ago by John Demos. And then each successive educator and teacher at this course, you know, added their own knowledge and experience and passion. They poured it all into it.
[00:05:37] So we feel a deep sense of responsibility now that. Now that we teach it. An honor and an honor. Yes, an honor. I took the course with Steve Medeiros and Kathy Jasonidi, so I consider myself very lucky to have been taught by them.
[00:05:57] I think the humanities course at ACS was the most impactful academic experience I've had. And I mean it throughout my life.
[00:06:08] It left a mark on me. And, you know, I think it was a space where students, all sorts of students, used to take this course. The very studious ones, the not so studious ones, but it was a space where we all came together. It was our world.
[00:06:33] And we wrestled with very big questions on life, on morality, on ethics.
[00:06:40] We examined how all of this was expressed throughout time, through art, through architecture.
[00:06:47] So when I came to ACS 10 years ago and I began my teaching career, I would sit in. I didn't have to, but I used to sit in on the humanities classes. And Jan Cavanares was teaching with Kathy J. Sinidi. So I used to sit in my free time just so I could be a student again.
[00:07:11] And then of course, Ms. Amalia took over and she taught with Kathy. And now I do, and I feel very, very happy. So her. And for those that don't know, what is the humanities course?
[00:07:24] What is the humanities course?
[00:07:27] I think you Know what? I'm going to defer to my. To my partner.
[00:07:33] She gets a hard question, because what is humanities course? What is humanities? Okay. Well, on paper, it's a class offered exclusively by ses. It's kind of part of ACS DNA and Identity, and it involves the study of history, literature, art, art history, philosophy, ethics. It's essentially the study of civilizations and cultures. And we have two essential questions because it's a two year course. So the first question, they're not easy questions. They don't have single answers. And that's what makes it so meaningful and valuable for students to engage with these questions. The first is what makes us human?
[00:08:15] And the second is what gives life meaning. And these are questions that all of us in this room kind of struggle with every day. And in my view, the sooner people start thinking about these questions, the sooner that they can start becoming more conscious citizens in the world today. Because the arts and the humanities, especially in a world dominated with AI and technology that we have today, play an even more vital role because they provide sort of like the ethical, cultural and emotional frameworks with which we can navigate this rapid technological change.
[00:08:53] One of our. Many of our alums, as you said, refer to the humanities class as one of their most memorable class.
[00:09:02] And recently Scott Parazinski, our guest speaker for the gala, who. Who is an astronaut and doctor, said that one of the most impactful classes while he was here was the humanities. I think it's. Yeah. And we need to. You know this. I wish everybody could take the course, including me. Yeah. Because it sounds. It's interdisciplinary, it's team taught, and it's one of the best courses in the world. And I feel so proud to be a teacher of it. And.
[00:09:38] Yeah, they're also students. Do you mean beyond acs? Yeah. Yes. Because we also offer it virtually. It's not the same.
[00:09:49] It's like virtual school, but it's okay, at least. No, but we do, because an integral part of the humanities course is the field study component, which is an immersive learning experience where students go and they visit the places that they've learned about and they see the artworks in the flesh or in the form. I don't know what to say. In their true physical space.
[00:10:14] So that's something that students who take the class even virtually come and they join the ACS humanities class on site. And it develops, most importantly, in a time of AI critical thinking.
[00:10:29] Time of AI and faking critical thinking. What makes us human?
[00:10:35] Critical thinking.
[00:10:37] Before we go, we want to say a big thank you, of course, to the artists and the authors that we pick up the phone and they come in running, and I know they have a thousand other things to do. But we want to thank the communication department, the maintenance people, our curator of the event, Ms. Lida Tsukia, our student assistants, our musicians, everybody that came here, and you guys for coming and supporting us. Thank you. And Chris and Lydia.
[00:11:12] I'm not finished.
[00:11:17] I'd like to say especially to our students, dream big, aim high, and you will get there.
[00:11:27] It was just an idea about a year ago that Ms. Lydia and I were talking about. What are some of the things we can do to celebrate the 80th year of our school?
[00:11:42] So we wanted to bring people together. And I'm so touched because there are so many of my students here that are showcasing their beautiful books, their beautiful writings, their beautiful paintings.
[00:11:56] And this is really something about the ACS community that we all bond.
[00:12:03] We're family.
[00:12:05] And this for me is so warming for the holidays. I want to wish you all happy and healthy holidays. Keep together, keep in touch. Because some of you know, how many years have I been following you till you came back? Many years. And we hope to get the musicians here next. So let's enjoy music, have something to drink, and enjoy going around and talking with our authors and our artists. Thank you, everyone.
[00:12:38] So from the Office of development of the school and part of the ACS Athens global effort, Livia Escapavia is describing to us.
[00:12:48] What are we seeing today? We're here to appreciate art.
[00:12:54] This is the first annual spotlight for artists and authors, and we're hoping we'll have another one next year. This is an effort to show our alumni community is here. Everybody's here joining us at ACS Athens on campus, outside our beautiful theater, in the theater lobby, we are exhibiting artwork and authors. They're books. And we're sharing it with our community and our students. We have a virtual corner for the ones who are. Because we're all over the world, for the alums that cannot be with us here today.
[00:13:32] And we have their artworks and book readings here in the virtual corner. How many artists? We have around 30 artists participating in every corner is, let's say, a different phase year. We have alums from 1972 up to 2025.
[00:13:54] So we have here how many years? Almost 80 years. Right as we're approaching the year 2025. Then we're going to celebrate our 80 years at the Grand Britanne on the 14th of February. This is our journey.
[00:14:11] I'm Lida Cuccia I am the art coordinator of the school, the communications department, also the curator of this exhibition.
[00:14:24] This is the first time that we're hosting this event here in our school, and we're hoping that next year we will continue.
[00:14:34] So this is the first annual art show, the Spotlight Art show. Most of the participating artists, we have artists and authors, most of them, they all are tied together. And the common element that ties them together is our school, ACS Athens, because all the participating artists and authors are either alumni or employees here, or parents. So what ties them together is our school, ACES Athens. I'm also exhibiting. I'm exhibiting an audio visual installation and also two paintings here.
[00:15:13] These paintings were first inspired by the illustrations that I had created for two poetry books. And they were actually a part of a series of a total of eight paintings that were exhibited during the presentation of these books in Paris. First of all, I have to say that I have always been drawn to myths in my works. And that's because I think that myths are a mirror of our collective consciousness. So, as you can see here, we see elements of the ancient Greek myths in both paintings.
[00:15:48] Stand taller so I can see you. This painting is inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. And I was always fascinated by this myth because I would always think, how could Orpheus, who could tame even the wildest beast with his music and his lyre setting eyes upon his Eurydice is what killed her permanently. So I was fascinated and by the symbolism of this myth and this painting. The idea of this painting is actually the gaze of the beloved.
[00:16:21] So we have a painting that is divided in two, and in one half we have a face.
[00:16:28] What kind of material are you using for the face? Okay, here I used Chinese ink with acrylics and cutouts. So half of the painting is. Is black and white, and the other half is Orpheus Lear.
[00:16:44] But the most important aspect, the most important element about this painting is that it's a male figure and it looks right and it stares right to the viewer as if he stares at the mirror. Because that was the idea of the painting, that the gaze of the beloved. How do we see ourselves?
[00:17:08] And do we feel smaller at the gaze of the beloved? Are we the ones who create that gaze? This is the idea. And the second one, it's titled Ask. Do not Assume. Ask. Do not Assume. So this painting was inspired by, as we can see, the myth of the Minotaur and its labyrinth.
[00:17:29] Seeing society as a complex and how we live our lives on an everyday basis, as if sometimes we feel like we live in a labyrinth. The question asked here is that does the labyrinth surround us or do we create that labyrinth and we impose it on us? The question is, is labyrinth always something negative and suffocating? Or sometimes it could, should be a safe environment, a nurturing environment, as if we're in our mother's womb. Now, this is the view of the artist.
[00:18:04] If a student who is into art, and either they are in IB art or they are before the last two years, how do you think this student be inspired to reach a level that says, I want to exhibit my work? What kind of advice do you have for a student who wants to go towards an art profession or make a career as an artist? This is an urge that, you know, when you have it as an artist, it can never, you know, go away. But my advice to these young people, to these young students, would be work, work, work, these three words. But also try to be brave to exhibit your works. You have to be brave to make a drawing, you know, throw it away, do another one, because it's very, very hard to see yourself, you know, on a canvas and let everyone else see yourself, because that's what art does. Someone else who's exhibiting their work here said that you have to be willing to expose yourself. Yes, that's exactly what I meant when I said brave. You have to be brave. You have to be able to expose yourself. And the more you do that, the more you put yourself out there, the easier it will be. But it's very rewarding.
[00:19:35] It is a process that really changes as people you know and as artists. Thank you so much. Thank you.
[00:19:55] As you wander through the gallery, your eyes are drawn to the vivid hues and intricate details of paintings crafted by alumni and faculty. Each creation invites you into the artists inner world, offering a glimpse into their introspective dialogues. The atmosphere is alive with the music from students performing, the buzz of conversations as attendees reunite with their friends from back in the day and discuss their interpretations, connecting over shared appreciation.
[00:20:25] In one corner, a cozy nook welcomes book lovers. Here, authors present their literary works, pages brimming with narratives that traverse the landscapes of human experience.
[00:20:38] You're not just saying what you look at in the exhibit, but why do we have this particular exhibition in the school? This is the first artists and authors exhibit Spotlight, as we call it. Why at this point in time, what is the significance of bringing alums who are authors, who are artists to be here and exhibit? Well, first of all, it's always gratifying to see alums coming back to the school and sharing their successes and sharing the work that they have been engaged in. And I think it's a source of inspiration for our students who want to, you know, be creative, who are creative and who want to write and who want to be artists. And the idea is to continue to develop this network out there of alums, not only for us to share their work with us and us with them, but also for when our students do graduate and they move out into the world. There's a great network of people who are very, you know, creative and are very successful out in the world, and they can be resources for our students. But in addition to that, as I said before, they're a source of creativity. So it's very inspirational to see what they have done. And really, I'm amazed by some of the work that I see here today that I probably wouldn't know of unless we brought them here together. And so that's something very significant for the ACS Athens community. In light of the 80 years celebration that's coming up, and of course our launch, launching event, which is the 80 years gala, it's really important to celebrate our successes and of course our successes. You know, there's a history of these 80 years of history. And so it's not just about what the students are doing now, but it's what they have gone off to do. And I think the more we celebrate, the more we share with one another, the more this kind of thing grows. And, you know, we need more beauty in the world. And so. So this is a good way to bring it all together and share in that experience. So we are in the virtual corner here and we have some work of artists, of alums who have been in the school for many years. We have a poetry reading by a class of 72 alum. We have an author's reading of the class of 2011. So we have different generations and all of them are saying how much the school has changed. You also exhibit. What are you exhibiting here? I have several books. First of all, as a psychologist, I've written a few books on coping with change and how people cope with changes in our lives, because change is something that is inevitable. And working with people. Over the years, as a psychologist, I've come to see that there are certain patterns, but also unique ways of. Of coping with change depending on each person's personality. So those are a couple of those books. But I also have a book written on professional development in international schools with several other authors. And this is my deep belief that, you know, as the world changes. Education needs to change as well, so that we're not teaching outdated ways, so that students know more than you know, the professors do, but that we come together in the creation of new knowledge and also that we're able to be ahead of that game. And to do that, we have to make sure that our teachers and administrators are lifelong learners. They have to continuously learn and we have to provide that opportunity and we have to provide that kind of training. For example, now AI is coming to the forefront. The students are using it, they're already there. And we need to be there as well. And we need to be side by side, if not ahead of that game. So that's professional development. And then a couple of chapters in another book about leadership and one in particular that I call Courageous Leadership because it's true that a leader is tested during times of challenging times and difficulties. And of course, I seem to know something about that. So I wrote that about courageous leadership in a particular book. Do you think a leader is an artist?
[00:24:55] A leader must be an artist to some degree. You know, it's about strategy and it's about action plans and it's about visions and missions. But to have a vision and to be able to help people come into that, to that journey and really believe in the vision and move towards it takes a lot of creativity. You have to pivot a lot. You have to be flexible. You gotta move things around if they're not working, really find people's strengths and the areas that need to grow and provide opportunities for growth. So to a large degree, I think, yes, you're an artist as well. Thank you so much. Thank you. Mr. Papadakis. Hi, I'm Dr. Mary Mel Gabrielle, founder and CEO of Bronic, a biotechnology company that I founded. And today I'm exhibiting my novella called Everlasting.
[00:25:47] And it's about a 16 year old girl during the Elizabethan time and her societal skepticism and how she found herself and her growth during those very sensitive years. The topic is a little bit provocative because you are in technology, you're doing all kinds of stuff and you're talking about the Elizabethan era. What was the inspiration?
[00:26:13] It was actually one of my favorite teachers was Daley, who taught our English class. At the time we were reading a lot of Shakespeare and she had given us an assignment of an essay, a reflection of some of Shakespeare's work that we had just read and something she just called me and I got really inspired. We had our 10th grade personal project coming up and I really wanted to expand on those Initial thoughts. I thought the essay was a little too short, and I. And I took it a step further. So the essay became a book. You said it's your first book. It is my first book, yeah. I wrote it when I was 14, actually. So someone who reads the book, what do you think? Or what do you want to know about you?
[00:26:58] Very good question.
[00:26:59] I think the reason why I really wanted to write it is to express a lot of my personal experiences, too.
[00:27:10] I just use those Beethan era as a dichronic kind of setting and perspective of the things that every teenage girl kind of passes through those sensitive years. And I was seeking for more connection. And I think that's something very special that you can do with things like writing or any other form of art. It's a form of expression.
[00:27:31] So someone reads the book and suddenly they get an inspiration to start writing and become an author.
[00:27:39] What is a piece of advice that you have for them?
[00:27:43] Okay, this one's a little spicy.
[00:27:46] Sometimes when we express ourselves through art. Actually not sometimes. I would say true art is a reflection of pure vulnerability. So in order to actually express yourself through writing or any other art piece, you're completely vulnerable. And that's kind of. That's a little scary sometimes, but I would kind of advise everyone out there to kind of give into it and lean into it, because it's a process, and you're meant to feel like that. And what comes out of it is really rewarding. It's a form of catharsis.
[00:28:20] Key word. Thank you so much. Thank you.
[00:28:28] Throughout the evening, the synergy between visual and literary arts becomes palpable. Artists and authors engage in animated discussions, their dialogues weaving a rich, rich tapestry of creativity and inspiration. The event not only showcases individual talents, but also fosters a sense of community where art and literature intersect to spark new ideas and collaborations.
[00:28:54] Hello. We're in the humanities corner.
[00:28:58] Humanities has a deep, deep history at acs.
[00:29:03] It was conceived as a course by John Demos, I think, in 1972. So it's 50 over half a century of humanities at ACS. I took it as a student. I'm a graduate of 1992. My teachers were Ms. Kathy Jasonides and Mr. Steve Medeiros. And I was very, very fortunate to have them. I believe humanities course was probably my most significant academic experience in my life.
[00:29:34] As a space and as a class, it was a world of its own.
[00:29:41] It was a place where all sorts of students, different types of students, met. And in that space, they wrestled with significant questions on life, on ethics, on morality, and they did it together.
[00:29:57] The field study trips we took to Delphi, Mistra, Florence, Paris. And we studied the art and architecture and the history. It was an immersive experience that we did together. So it sort of created a sort of family. So let's describe what we're looking at. My name is Amalia Copoulou. I'm the other half of the humanities team.
[00:30:23] Over here we have a display of student work from the past and the present. We see some field study notebooks, which is the result of the immersive learning experience that students undertake at the sites that Mr. Lenos mentioned earlier. We see here some photography projects made by students. There's a 3D print of the spring.
[00:30:48] We have some clay work. Over here you can see digital photography, painting sketches in charcoal, even printing and stamping.
[00:30:59] The idea is that students showcase their learning and understanding in many different ways. Of course, we have literary analysis and normal essays. But when we go on field study, we offer students the opportunity to engage in the course content in a more meaningful and purposeful way, so that through storytelling and self expression and creativity, they're able to contemplate their place in the world and understand our common humanity. If we think of students that are taking the course, tell me two qualities that you think are important as a takeaway from this course. I think they wrestle with our essential question. I'm not sure we ever really answer it completely because it's always in flux.
[00:31:48] And the question is they think about, well, what makes us human and what makes us human in a landscape that is ever changing and is also more digitized as well. And it cultivates a philosophical mind. I agree. And I'd also like to add how we also think. I think critical thinkers is a very important characteristic that is nurtured through this course because especially in the age of AI, we need students who are able to navigate this rapid technological change. And the study of the humanities and the arts kind of provides ethical, cultural and emotional frameworks to navigate that so we don't lose our human touch and identity in this globalized, uniform world.
[00:32:35] Thank you so much. Excellent work. Our pleasure. Thank you.
[00:32:39] This is one of the exhibitions and we have the author of a few books that are on the exhibit. What are these books? Who are you and why are you exhibiting?
[00:32:50] My name is Vanny Kaki and I'm exhibiting three of the books that I wrote back in the day in 2004. That was for non native speakers of Greek.
[00:33:01] You're teaching Greek, both Greek and esl.
[00:33:05] So at the time, I was teaching Greek. Now, the material back then was not enough for the students for non native speakers of Greek. So we had very few resources in our hands. So I decided to create three different books. One, this was a real life situation dialogue that was a listening activity book for intermediate level students with hands on activities, with dialogues through which students would be able to understand what to say when they would go to the supermarket or what to ask for in a cafeteria, or what happens when it travels when they travel in Greece.
[00:33:47] Who was another Greek teacher was kind enough to lend the voice, her voice to these listening activities. And the funding, the fun part was that all of the three books were illustrated by students.
[00:34:02] My students, our students. So in the back of the book you will be able to see alumni who have graduated. Whoa. Graduated Back in. So look at that. Those were students who graduated who were fifth graders in 2009.
[00:34:18] So from the material that we have in front of us, how much of this is still in action?
[00:34:25] Well, the books were taught here in the school for like 10 years in a row. They are still teachable. This is teachable material. Maybe not from these books, but the material is there. Yes, it's original material material. Then there's another one for grammar skills and reading comprehension with Zogo. That was a really interesting story because I invented Zogo. Zogo was an alien who came to Earth and found himself in Athens. And he just needed to pull more information about what Athens was like and what he can say in Greek.
[00:35:04] What planet was he from? Mars, of course. What else? That was for third graders. And then another one called Sto Vivliomo. My book for students of a higher level, let's say upper intermediate students, still reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, thematically based vocabulary mostly.
[00:35:29] And there are two more coming out, not in Greek though, in English for ESL students. Ms. Gaeki, thank you so much. You're welcome.
[00:35:43] In the back corner of the theater lobby that serves as our exhibition hall, a large TV screen shows artwork from the online Global Alumni Artists and Authors group with authors and poets reading their work on video. So when. When you come in and you see everything that is going on in this space, most probably something comes to mind from your years here at acs.
[00:36:10] How has the school changed in this particular regard? And why. Why you are an author? Let's say that. Let's. It's an easy question, I think.
[00:36:21] What? Well, the school has changed so much. We were just taking a little tour around. We didn't have this nice theater, we didn't have this nice swimming pool, but the feeling is the same. I find the school very welcoming, very homey.
[00:36:38] I saw people I haven't seen in decades here.
[00:36:42] It's very nice to see how many children ended up being authors or artists. And I'm one of them. So what have you written? I'm actually new. I've written one book. It's my first one. It's called the Book of Zero. It's for children that are starting to be able to read around first grade.
[00:37:03] And it's about their well being, their mental well being. It's about a shy little zero who was left out of the game and felt lonely.
[00:37:16] And then how it overcame its fears with some mindfulness exercises. And what was the inspiration behind this book? Yeah, my daughter. My daughter who at the time was in kindergarten, she was the inspiration and she's inspired me to write another. I have another two books on the way, so I'm hoping that they will soon be out and about for everyone to enjoy. And this one is now on Amazon and it's just a new venture for me. I didn't know I was gonna ever write a children's book. So here I am and I'm embracing it. I'm really enjoying it. So people who are in the school right now, students that are in the school and they're thinking of, you know, I like writing. How can I become an author or. Or how can I write my own children's book? What would you tell them?
[00:38:09] I would tell them to go for it and to keep writing, to keep editing their story. And there's so many resources online, I had no idea myself. I just sort of did some research and took it step by step and then I self published it.
[00:38:27] You can go with a traditional publisher. Sure. You can do it on your own.
[00:38:32] Just, just if you have a dream, if you have an idea, go for it. Not to worry so much about making a mistake or failing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Also, good to see you.
[00:38:55] Foreign hello, my name is Pandora Bethea. I graduated from ACS in 1972 and my love in life is poetry. I would like to read to you a couple of poems from my poetry book, which is called With Eyes Wide Open.
[00:39:26] I'd like to read to you some poems from my travels. Another passion of mine is traveling, so I have gotten a lot of inspiration from my travels.
[00:39:38] This one is a poem that I wrote in San Francisco.
[00:39:44] Food stamps.
[00:39:48] Brown, white, black, yellow. That interwoven pattern of despair on every face, whatever color.
[00:40:04] Sitting on plastic chairs, row after row of poverty, eyes staring down at Dirty floors, ears perched in case one's called, one being a number, not a person.
[00:40:26] The wall clock stretches its arms.
[00:40:31] A stranger's voice calls out her number.
[00:40:36] As if from the depths of Hades, she arises, unstable at first, and steps up to the occasion, stripped down to the bone of how much, when, where, why, when. Satisfied, the interrogator leads her to another barren room.
[00:41:04] And after she is classified, demystified, recorded, photographed, fingerprinted and awarded, she gathers the remnants of her fighting spirit and returns home with food.
[00:41:33] On the opposite corner, towards the gym, an audiovisual multimedia installation invites the attendees to enter a dark room filled with the sounds of poems and opera music, overflowing visually with light and blue waves, and experience a painting of a woman diving below the sea as it's dressed in light and overlaid with a video, making the painting alive. Okay, so this installation, it has a lot of elements. The main element of this installation is the painting, which was done with acrylics on canvas. The title of the painting was what if Oedipus Knew? Again, the main figure of the painting is a female figure who is underwater. And the moment that I chose, the moment that I decided to bring the painting here in the exhibition, I thought that I would really love to create an experience with this painting. So I didn't want people to just see the painting. So what I did, because the painting is underwater, I wanted the viewer to. When they go inside the room, I wanted them to feel like they're underwater. I wanted them to feel like they're part of the painting. That's why there is audio with sound effects, and there is a feeling that you are actually underwater. And there's also audio. I chose the Vivaldi piece from the opera I, Justino. What are the elements of the installation? There is the painting, the canvas, then there is the speakers, the projection, the audio file, and the video, because there is a video projecting on the canvas of the painting with some visual effects. And it brings it alive, in a sense. Exactly. It brings it alive. And that's what I want the viewer to feel. I don't want them to understand. I want them to feel that they're underwater. And that, in a sense, the title Eternal Uterus is, you know, where we go back to our primitive, you know, the way that we were born.
[00:43:54] It's impossible to describe properly all the exhibits of these remarkable artists and authors, but through these discussions, we attempt to explore the stories behind their works and the journeys that led them to this spotlight. As more alums explain their passion and dedication that fuel their creative processes. Let's attempt another audio glimpse into the minds behind the masterpieces.
[00:44:17] Hello, Calispera. My name is Cristina Papas. I'm a graduate of the class of 99.
[00:44:25] The work that I am participating with in this exhibition is a triptych from a body of work called Moving Still Still Moving.
[00:44:35] The entire body of work is diptychs and triptychs. And essentially it's a study of space and time and the relationship between space and time, and a rather big reflection on Albert Einstein's theory of space time. So essentially there's a continuum between each image and a fluidity, let's say, where they might appear to be taken in sequence and in the same time and location, but they actually are not.
[00:45:10] Can we describe it a little bit for someone who's not here today? Well, in this specific triptych, essentially it looks as if these photos could be connected or they were connected and I took them apart. But essentially there are three unique photos taken in three unique moments of time and locations.
[00:45:31] And this is essentially almost a little game that the series of work plays.
[00:45:40] And essentially what we want to, let's say, reflect upon is the fact that time, there's no now, there's no past, and there's no future. It's all one continuum. Everything is connected. Another detail about this work is that all images are taken in motion from various means. Actually, some are from trains, some are from cars. Most of them are from cars. Another interesting detail, at least in the process of my personal process taking these images, was how how motion and time was interpreted through motion. Like there were moments where focusing through my lens, I felt even though I was moving in a high speed vehicle, I felt like time and motion was slowing down. Or depending on the angle I was shooting, maybe it was speeding up. Hence the reference to Einstein. And hence the reference to Einstein.
[00:46:44] And of course the title, which is Moving, Still, Still Moving. Because these are stills, even though they're taken in motion, they are actual stills. And the still moving is, we'll say on another cognitive level. Do you usually work with photography or you also paint? Do you do other kinds of paint? I'm generally a visual artist. I use mixed medium, but my main focus is with photography. So someone who is in the art curriculum or someone who would like to follow an art profession, and they're not quite sure how to go about it, how to find inspiration, how to go with their studies, what would you advise them to do? My advice is always to get out there and see as much work as possible. And I would definitely start doing that wherever they are located to network themselves within the community.
[00:47:42] But first of all, to be able to see what artists are putting out there. What is not a matter of what is popular, but what are people thinking and feeling at this time and expressing through art. And one of the main ways to do this is to and also gain inspiration is to visit art galleries and museums and be aware of the scene, let's say, and then moving forward.
[00:48:11] Really important advice is the necessity to network. So by being present and meeting other artists and meeting curators and talking about your work and of course showing your work wherever possible, I think that's the most important. So this is something you can do parallel and before your studies and after your studies. It's not something you need to wait to do until you finish studying and decide what kind exactly artist you want to be or, you know, this is, you know, it's a continuous process and a significant one. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
[00:48:48] Hello, my name is Peggy Apostolo. I'm the music teacher in middle school and academy and it's a wonderful event here, the art exhibition. I'm so impressed with all the artwork.
[00:49:01] We have many students here who are exhibiting together with alumni and other teachers. It's absolutely beautiful to see all these art and to combine these different forms of art together. We have some music students who are playing. Playing. They're playing the piano, they're playing the guitar. Are these some of your students? Some are my students. So where my students when I was teaching in elementary school and some are still my students.
[00:49:32] So proud to see them performing and carrying on with their music and wanting to perform.
[00:49:38] What do you say to students who are afraid to perform?
[00:49:42] I always say that mistakes are of the experience. We're not robots, we're human beings and this is art. Art is full of impromptu experiences and mistakes and getting things right or expressing yourself when you are in a certain environment. So these same students are going to perform in a different way now and they're going to perform in a different way. They're performing on stage with a silent audience, etc, so it's just beautiful to have them here. And I think that music definitely adds to this experience and it would have made our world such a more beautiful place to exist if we had music and art in our lives every day. Thank you so much. Much. Thank you.
[00:50:38] Good afternoon, I'm Jenny Gregoropoulos and I'm exhibiting two pieces of my art in our amazing art exhibition celebrating the 80th year of our school. ACS, Athens.
[00:50:54] What you see here are actually fabrics and stones that come into life with color, with texture, and with the perspective of how much we see into the horizon. So there are two different paintings. One is in the green and yellow colors, and the other one is in gray and blue. So the green and yellow is the autumn excursions. And it's actually the excursions. Excursions that our mind takes. And actually, I was talking with someone before, asking me what they are, and I said, this is what they are, and this is what I saw. But when I put it on paper, it just completely changed. And now you just see forms, which is so smooth into the eye, that travels you into space or wherever you want to travel. So. So from what you saw up to now, how do these pieces fit? Why exhibit here today?
[00:52:00] Because I love our school. When I heard that we have this exhibition, I wanted to become part of this exhibition. And it's a great honor to be here. Thank you so much. Thank you.
[00:52:13] So we're in front of the art by Ms. Elves Yaridis, and she's giving us an idea of what we are seeing here. Okay. These works are acrylic inks on paper.
[00:52:28] If I had to describe them, I would say they're kind of abstract, explosions of color, maybe flowers, organic, underwater.
[00:52:40] It's up to the viewer. What inspired you?
[00:52:45] Everything. Life. My feelings.
[00:52:48] That's a hard question to answer.
[00:52:51] So you are an alum of the school? Yes, I am. And you are back after how many years? Oh, quite a lot. Quite a few, I think. I was in class of 82.
[00:53:03] It's emotional. And, yes, I'm happy to be here because it was a beautiful time in my life. You said before that the school has changed. In what way? In a good way. I mean, it has.
[00:53:16] The basketball courts were not here when I was in school. I mean, it has improved.
[00:53:22] So the class of 2025 is going to be the class of the 80 years of the school. What advice would you give them? Oh, my God. Follow your heart. Be creative.
[00:53:33] Yeah. Thank you so much.
[00:53:36] My name is Sofia Stella.
[00:53:39] I am an art teacher here at ACS Athens since 2012.
[00:53:45] And the artwork that I'm exhibiting here was done in 2020. So it was right after Covid. I remember we were still doing virtual lessons, and I had some time.
[00:54:00] At least I was not driving up and down. I had that little bit of extra time. So I. I did those two. It's a diptych, those two paintings. What are we looking at? Describe it for us. Okay. It's Clearly a man. He is in agony. He's not wearing clothes. We can see his muscles and the pain through every inch of the body. In the one we see a close up, while in the other one we see the full body body and the way that he crawls around like he holds the head and in both of them we filling the space like both of them. The person is touching all sides. That makes him completely close to us, like coming out to the audience. What is the medium? It's a mixed media. It's with acrylic paints and palettes, pastels on top. It's a technique that I like lately because I like the drawing and I like the painting. I'm an oil painter. I like the ability that gives you to work with mixed media when you do acrylics. That's why I chose to do this one. And why did you choose to exhibit today?
[00:55:18] Well, I feel part of the community and even though I'm not an alumni, I'm part of acs and I wanted to showcase something that was something that I had at home. I made other paintings after this, but I gave them away. And it's a strong piece, it's very internal and I thought of exhibiting. So for a student artist who is either your student or you know, that he wants to go towards that particular profession or what is your advice to that person?
[00:55:50] I give advices every day to my students and it's not just one. They need to keep on working and they need to keep on being educated. They are at a point that they need to see what artists are around, where art is. And they learn from looking and they learn from working and obviously, obviously their art needs to be meaningful.
[00:56:16] Thank you so much.
[00:56:21] Finally, you cannot miss the imposing drawing of one of the biggest names of the spotlight, Khalid Hirsinas, Class of 2015, which commands attention next to the piano. His piece, characterized by fluid forms and dynamic structures, explore the interplay between nature and human emotion, capturing moments of introspection frozen in time.
[00:56:45] Hello, my name is Khaleed Cristinas.
[00:56:49] So this is one of my larger pieces. Its title is a universal dialogue between the two homes. As we can see here, we have the Statue of Liberty, on one hand resembling the US and on the other hand we have Toure.
[00:57:10] So for me, my upbringing after graduating from the American community schools of Athens, you can see here the reference, the statue.
[00:57:22] I moved to Paris, the Mecca of the arts, and I started discovering how this has shaped my creative style.
[00:57:35] Those two figures, the Statue of Liberty and Tour Rafel, are protagonists in my Paintings because, you know, I've traveled a lot, but deep inside me I have Paris. And, you know, the US have tremendously shaped me as a human.
[00:57:55] And of course, I need to showcase them somehow. So here you have them. Why do you think was important for you or why did you choose to come with this particular painting in ACS and participate in this exhibition?
[00:58:09] So this particular painting is the beginning and the middle of my career, I would say the start, you know, because I did ib Visual Arts here in ACS and. And also humanities.
[00:58:24] They were a protagonist in my education.
[00:58:29] They gave me, you know, a strong push and they challenged me in so many ways. So here you can see it's a very vibrant painting, very alive. There is so many things happening.
[00:58:44] And this was me, you know, in my childhood years.
[00:58:48] You know, I was a young kid trying to find my identity, to find my world. And, you know, ACS actually helped me to discover that moving forward. Paris standing next to it was the continuation of this, you know, of my creation as an artist, but also as a human being. So this painting actually for me was exactly this. It's a huge part of my life, my soul, and I'm very happy to present it here. And one advice to a student who would like to go towards an art profession or an art career, I would say believe in you. Don't be afraid to showcase yourself. You're very unique. There is only one of you out there.
[00:59:40] Push yourself, break your boundaries and make it count. You know, put yourself out there. And the best is yet to come.
[00:59:57] Each artist and author featured in the Introspective Dialogues exhibition brought a unique perspective in this first artists and author spotlight of ACS Athens.
[01:00:08] All the work showcased in the event collectively reveals the unique, rich tapestry of creativity and expression that celebrates the diverse talents that were inspired through their life in the ACS Athens community. An event to remember. The spotlight is sure to become a cultural tradition of ACS Athens.
[01:00:36] You are listening to the owlcast, the official podcast of ACS Athens. Make sure you subscribe to the owlcast on Google Podcasts, Spotify and Apple podcasts. This has been a production of the ACS Athens Media studio.
