IN THE STUDIO: Nina Papaconstantinou

Starting with new works by artists, that are on exhibition or that have work in progress … we are visiting their studios, interacting with them and we present them… The reason for our meeting with Nina Papakonstantinou is the recent presentation of her series of works with carbon, which processes them for many years and continues to concern her at the Fiac 2014 in Paris at end of October. However, as she supports, works alongside with all the other artworks that creates, designs, thinks and exhibits…

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Kalfayan Galleries Athens Thessaloniki

Mrs. Papaconstantinou, we know that the series of your artworks with carbon paper, inspired by books, begins in 2006 … how emerges While you were using paper and writing in another way?
This series was the result of the investigation of the relationship of the text with his image. At that, time Ι was very interested about the illustrations. Thus, the works are the result of this research; I use the text itself, to come up with an abstract image this time.
Your initial Studies in Philology, was the reason to connect the visual arts to literature or anyhow it would become regardless?
My work in art is clearly linked with my other interests as happens to all artists. Every one of us has a personal experience, which is the essence of the artwork. Therefore, it is expected to appear my interests in literature, writing, and many other things in my work.
What represents for you, this specific material?
The blue carbon paper was in my youth the eminently copying medium.
How easy is the processing and what is the artistic challenge?
The carbon paper is more sensitive than some types of paper, so needs a little caution. It is very interesting as media; I continue to explore its potential in relation to my work.
As we can see. Why you use mainly blue carbon paper in your work? What about the other colors of carbon paper?
I been using carbon paper in blue since school, it was the most widespread. I also used in my works black and red carbon paper.
In this work that is, work in progress …operates and evolves in parallel with other works, which book you want to visualize, but still you have not approached?
I have not elaborate yet many books, for example “Mourning Diary” by Roland Barthes.

*Nina Papaconstantinou born, lives and works in Athens. She studied literature at the University of Athens (1992) and Art at Camberwell College of Arts, London (2001). She has performed three solo exhibitions and has participated in a number of group exhibitions including: ’’Drawing Time, Reading Time’’, N. York (2013), National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens ‘’Heart in Heart’’, Curating: Anna Kafetsi (2009), ’Women Only’’, Mpeltsios Collection, Curating Sotiris Bachteszis (2009), ‘’And Now?’’, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki Curating: Christina Petrinou (2008), Zina Athanassiadou Gallery, Thessaloniki, (2004). Her artworks are included in the permanent collections of Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki and at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens. In Athens she collaborates with Kalfayan Galleries aid in Paris with και Martine Aboucaya Gallery.