ART ISLANDS: Chania-Marigo Kassi & Xin Song

The exhibition “Paper Poetry”, as noted by the curator A. Papatzanaki, showcases the exceptional work of two female visual artists, Marigo Kassi and Xin Song, who both have a profound connection with paper as their medium. Despite their diverse origins and artistic backgrounds, they both share a time-consuming process that emphasizes craftsmanship. The exhibition features installations and a series of wall works by each artist. The sensitive and ethereal works engage in a dialogue with each other, as well as with the solidity of the historic stone building in which they are displayed.

By Dr. Sozita Goudouna
Photo: Marigo Kassi’s Archive

The building, known as the “Grand Arsenal,” began construction in 1585 under the direction of Venetian “Provveditore” Alvise Grimani and was completed in 1600. The front part of the building, where the exhibition takes place, served as a shipyard, while the back functioned as an arsenal. In 1872, the original building’s vaulted roof was demolished, with the intervention of Turkish Governor Reuf Pasha of Crete, to make way for the construction of the first floor, which would house the School of the Christian Community. Throughout its history, the building has served various important public functions. It hosted theater performances from 1892, functioned as a public hospital from 1923, and later became a Town Hall from 1928 to 1941. During World War II, the building was bombed by the Germans and remained without a roof for several years. Restoration took place between 1997 and 2002, and today it serves as a Mediterranean Architecture Center, hosting significant cultural events, art exhibitions, and international gatherings. The historical significance of the building led to the selection of Marigo Kassi’s installation, titled “Presences – Absences,” which offers a captivating exploration of memory, loss, presence, and absence. The installation comprises numerous small paper garments suspended from the ceiling, forming a world of unique individuals from the past and present. Using suspension, transparency, and exquisite handmade Japanese papers, Kassi creates a magical and immersive environment for viewers to explore. In addition to the installation, Marigo Kassi presents a series of wall works that involve a meticulous process. She creates the initial material, which becomes the substrate, and eventually develops into the final surface. Utilizing handmade paper, the artist waxes, tears, connects with threads, and colors the paper to produce unique works of art. Xin Song’s works also employ paper but in a different technique. Influenced by traditional Chinese paper-cutting, which she learned from farmers during her youth, Xin Song uses her own photographs, magazine images, and various papers to create large site-specific installations. Her subjects range from abstract floral motifs to urban scenes that reflect her experiences living in New York. Inspired by the building’s initial use, and its proximity to water, for this exhibition, I chose a series of Xin Song’s collages titled “Wave” inspired by water and waves, crafted through hand-cutting and pasting different types of paper. Additionally, her black-and-white installation, titled “Message from Nature – Fog Forest,” portrays a misty forest made of cut paper, creating an atmosphere that serves as a poignant reminder of the dire consequences of reckless tree-cutting, pollution, and global warming. The “Paper Poetry” exhibition brings together the unique works of these two talented artists, showcasing the diverse possibilities of working with paper as a medium for artistic expression. Their installations and wall pieces create a delicate and intimate environment that invites viewers to ponder the complex ideas and concepts explored through their art.

Photo: Marigo Kassi, Presences – Absences, 2020 – 23, Mixed media, χειροποίητα χαρτιά, decorative braids, ribbon, wooden hanger, Dimensions variable

Info: Curator: Antonia Papatzanaki, Grand Arsenal – Center for Mediterranean Architecture, Akti Enoseos & Georgiou Katehaki Square, Chania, Creata Island, Greece, Duration: 1-29/7/2023, Days & Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 & 19:00-22:00, Sun 10:00-22:00, www.chania-culture.gr