INTERVIEW: Mina Karagianni

The exhibition about the Mykonian Traditional Costume, had mentioned me some time ago Marigo Kassi, who is participating in the exhibition, with great enthusiasm for the exhibition and the Curator Mrs. Mina Karagianni, she brought us in contact, and emerged cooperation, and the interview that follows. The artworks, the basic concept of the exhibition and the way Ms. Karagianni develops it, are in full dialogue with tradition, history and contemporary living. Therefore, 18 artists have been invited to create contemporary artworks, arising from the history and the traditions of Mykonos Island. These artworks are on exhibition for 10 days starting from tomorrow at the Angelos & Leto Katakouzenos in Athens, while the exhibition is planned to be transported in Mykonos Island in September.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Mina’s Karagianni Archive

 

 

 

Mrs. Karagianni, as curator of the exhibition “Women Clothes of Mykonos: A study in Aegean Material Civilization”, we would like to explain how arose the idea to compine contemporary artists, with Mr. Metzikof?
The idea follows two paths. One is the discussion that started lately in the field of Folklore, on how our material culture that we call it “Tradition” can inspire the contemporary reality of Art. The other path start from the Summer of 2013, when we organized in Mykonos, with great success the exhibition “Stitches of life: The Lace in Mykonos”. The exhibition was about the recording and the presentation of oral testimonies and works from the traditional art of lace in which the women of the island were active since the beginning of the twentieth century.This was the beginning of a collaboration with the Women’s Cultural Folklore Association of the island. When the Association assigned Mr. Y. Metzikof, to reconstruct the female clothing from 1700, as they were recorded by the French traveler Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, those two paths joined and we were led to this exhibition.
Why did you choose only women and not men, do you believe tat it is a matter purely female and with what criteria you selected these artists, do you wanted, all the artist to have the same visual look and references or completely different?
I always have the memory of the summer afternoon, where family members, friends from the neighborhood, namely women in small groups to embroider or knit in front of the door of their houses. I have no personal experience from the island or from other places, but I have read, I have seen pictures and I know that the courtyards and the streets also were filled by such groups, through them women were feeling more free, they could talk without the presence of men. I considered interesting scientifically and a tribute to these forgotten joys, to see what kind of effect would this univocal approach. Therefore, in our team we are all women except Mr. Metzikof.
Mykonos not only today, but forever had great interest as island, in many levels. In the field of Art was and is very much alive, do not forget the Annex of the School of Fine Arts, where several artists such as Mitaras, Christakis and younger, organized and organize workshops with students, since 2013, began the Biennale of Contemporary Art, which was extended in many spaces in the city including the Folklore Museum. From your personal experience since you have successfully worked with the women of Mykonos, are they open in the contemporary art?
The truth is that the employment with tourism has decisively influenced the lives of women and men. During summer, women deal exclusively with this sector, as the majority are active in this area. I do not think they have time for other things. In recent years, there is a tendency to return in the archetypes in many sectors. I imagine that their relationship with art, is as in all societies, small or large, depends on their social and living standards and their education.
“Women Clothes of Mykonos: A study in Aegean Material Civilization” is a project that we know ,you are working about eight months, what was your experience during this period and the creative process with the visual artists?
It began in September 2014, Mr. Metzikof had started a little earlier. Each exhibition is a research project from which generated new knowledge and experience. The exhibitions that I curate follow this principle. These exhibitions raise questions and provide answers, this has to be their role. For this exhibition, I did primary research in archives. The marriage contracts and the City Testimonials from the period 1700-1800 were among the others, source of valuable information on parts and materials of the clothing. Apart from the engraving of Tournefort, there is no other evidence that records details relating to this. The marriage contracts showed Mr. Metzikof and us some ways. The research extended to all Aegean costumes, common elements were found and all the sources were used. The contact with the visual artists every time is unique. With some of them I have worked in the past and this helps both sides. Nevertheless, there is always the element of surprise. The experience to take from the visual artists what they have to give you is precious. I wish it happened always on a reciprocal status.
Although one might assume that the Bath House of the Winds, the House of Angeliki Hatzimichalis or some other relevant sites, would not be the right places to house the exhibition, you chose the House of Katakouzenos, what are your reasons behind this choice?
Our objective was to find a place that can accept our artworks, without giving them the heaviness of our folklore. When we saw the House of Katakouzenos, it was consensus that we wanted to get our artworks in this space. In House of Katakouzenos, the Greek Culture is present everywhere, in the walls, the furniture, the books, without having a single orientation. The couple of Angelos and Leto Katakouzenos, were trying to maintain, the tradition, the customs and the ideals of the Greek people, but with a vision for the future as we strive in this exhibition. These common elements and the historicity, inspired almost all the involved artists and have incorporated their elements in their work.
How important was this very special place, in the creation of the artworks? As we know, all the artworks were created specific for the exhibition.
The inspiration of the artists from elements of the space, such as the couch of Neurologist-Psychiatrist Angelos Katakouzenos, the prevailing atmosphere of his office. Even the imposing presence of Leto Katakouzenos and her aura in the space, the specific weight of the people who passed by this house, gave us much food for thought and valuable tools of artistic work. For all of us it is an honor and pleasure that we can for ten days to become a part of the history of this house.
As an epilogue, we would like to tell us, if your first vision and concept is close to your desires as the curator of the exhibition, you are satisfied or is it beyond your expectations?
The aim to show if there are and how transformed in the work of contemporary visual artists the elements of our material culture to the extent that we worked for it, reached. I want to thank all the artists who worked with me all this time and I suppose that and the artist, did not expect to see these results. I hope to have help them to give those items to the visitors of our exhibition.

Participating Artists: E. Angelou, A. Alkalai, B. Amezkua, M. Vardopoulou, D. Georgiadis, G. Gremouti, E. Goulakou, E. Ellina, M. Zaboura, A. Theocharakis, S. Kaziale, M. Kassi, C. Koen, C. Mitrentse, E. Pavlopoulou, S. Politi, E. Fouriki, K. Chistoforides.

First Publication: www.dreamideamachine.com
© Interview – Efi Michalarou

Info: Women Clothes of Mykonos: A study in Aegean Material Civilization, Curating: Mina Karagianni, The Angelos & Leto Katakouzenos Foundation, 4 Amalias Str., Syntagma Square, Athens, Duration: 29/4-10/5/15, Days & Hours: Fri: 17:00-20:00, Sat-Sun: 12:00-15:00

Media Partner
www.dreamideamachine.com