Info | Jury | Artists | Artworks | Exhibition Views | Program Highlights | Open Call | Partners
BIENNALE OF CONTEMPORARY KERAMICS
SANTORINI 2024
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF H.E.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
MS. KATERINA SAKELLAROPOULOU
CLAY ECHOES: UNEARTHING HIDDEN NARRATIVES
MUSEUM OF PREHISTORIC THERA & AKROTIRI ARCHAELOGICAL SITE
7 June – 26 October 2024
PREVIEW: 6 June 2024
OPENING: 7 June 2024 20:00 pm
CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS EXHIBITION
20 Artists – 20 Original Works
Design & Implementation Team
BIG BLUE DOT NGO
The first Biennale of Contemporary Keramics will be hosted in 2024 in Santorini. With a total duration of five months and with inspiration from the archaeological site of Akrotiri, in the south of the island where the ruins of a prehistoric city of great cultural importance have been revealed, BCK will host twenty artists from Greece and abroad who will be invited through an open call to be inspired, research and present their projects. The projects that an international experts panel will select will draw inspiration from the discoveries in the settlement of Akrotiri, with clay as the main material, and will be exhibited in proximity to the source of inspiration. A program of workshops and lectures will accompany the exhibition and conclude with a publication.
In addition, an expert panel formed by renowned artists, curators, and professionals selected the shortlist and after the installation of the artworks, will vote to award the works of three participating artists.
The choice of Santorini
Akrotiri is the jewel of Santorini. The settlement was one of the Aegean’s most important urban centers and ports during the Middle and Late Bronze Age (20th-17th BC). It was a populous city with admirable social organization, public streets, and high-rise buildings. Impressive frescoes, the oldest examples of monumental painting in Greece, decorated almost all the building complexes, providing valuable information about the society of Akrotiri through their narrative character. The various imported materials and objects prove the relations and communication of Akrotiri with the Dodecanese, Cyprus, mainland Greece, but also Egypt, and Syria.
In the area, 5,000 ceramic vessels of various types and sizes, tools, figurines, ritual objects, and furniture were discovered, testifying to the great development of the settlement.
Furthermore, today Santorini’s global influence makes it an ideal first destination for the Big Blue Dot and a great means to spread local artistic activity worldwide. Finally, the island already has the necessary infrastructure to transport the works and host visitors and artists and is easily accessible by boat and by airplane.
In conclusion, Santorini is the ideal location for the organization of the first Biennale of Contemporary Keramics, as it offers both the inspiration – due to the island’s prehistoric connection with ceramic art – and the necessary infrastructure for such a demanding project.
Theodora Chorafas
Ceramic Artist, Greece
Theodora Chorafas
Ceramic Artist, Greece
Florian Daguet Bresson
Contemporary Ceramics Curator & Art Dealer, France
Florian Daguet Bresson
Contemporary Ceramics Curator & Art Dealer, France
Konstantina Daskalantonaki
Jury & Curatorial Team
Konstantina Daskalantonaki
Jury & Curatorial Team
Marina Fokidis
Jury & Curatorial Team
Marina Fokidis
Jury & Curatorial Team
Fragoula Georma
Archaeologist at the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Greece
Fragoula Georma
Archaeologist at the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Greece
Mareva Grabowski – Mitsotakis
Creative Consultant, Greece
Mareva Grabowski – Mitsotakis
Creative Consultant, Greece
Dr David Jones
Ceramic Artist & Theorist, United Kingdom
Dr David Jones
Ceramic Artist & Theorist, United Kingdom
Loukia Thomopoulou
Founder & Creative Director
Loukia Thomopoulou
Founder & Creative Director
Participating Artists
Stella Baraklianou
Stella Baraklianou
Helena Boddenberg
Helena Boddenberg
Mirka Drapaniotou
Mirka Drapaniotou
Ule Ewelt
Ule Ewelt
Ion Fukazawa
Ion Fukazawa
Amyel Garnaoui
Amyel Garnaoui
Em Irvin
Em Irvin
Iosifina Kosma
Iosifina Kosma
Konstantinos Ladianos
Konstantinos Ladianos
Simon Manoha
Simon Manoha
Natalia Manta
Natalia Manta
Angeliki Papadopoulou
Angeliki Papadopoulou
Desa Philippi
Desa Philippi
Yoav Reches
Yoav Reches
Nikos Sepetzoglou
Nikos Sepetzoglou
Theo Triantafyllidis
Theo Triantafyllidis
Christos Tsoumplekas
Christos Tsoumplekas
Giorgos Vavatsis
Giorgos Vavatsis
Yena Young
Yena Young
Zois Giannis
Zois Giannis
Artworks
BIENNALE OF CONTEMPORARY KERAMICS
You can click to learn more about the artist and the item.
Ion Fukuzawa
Αccelerated Erosion (Terra)
Mirka Drapaniotou
Encapsulated Memories
Nikos Sepetzoglou
Folding Arm Chair (at the turn of the 21st century)
Simon Manoha
Kopfschmerzen (Headache)
George Vavatsis
Incision
Ewelt Ule
Θηρίον
Υena Young
Untold Stories – Figurines of Akrotiri
Angeliki Papadopoulou
A-morphous, an Absence of Form
em irvin
weight (limit of excavation)
Yoav Reches
Ashform
Stella Baraklianou
Blue Monkey, Mistress of Animals, Volcanic Saffron
Christos Tsoublekas
Bull
Desa Philippi
Affinities
Iosifina Kosma
Blossoms of Thera
Natalia Manta
FOR EVER
Giannis Zois
Eye on the Cake
Helena Boddenberg
Earthen Fibres
Konstantinos Ladianos
Blue Monkey
Theo Triantafyllidis
The Metaverse and How We’ll Build It Together
Amyel Garnaoui
CLI(T)HERA
Exhibition Views
The Museum of Prehistoric Thira, having as a point of reference the Prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, presents the life and culture of Thira during the Prehistoric period as depicted through a variety of exhibits, mainly clay vessels and frescoes of fine art, representing the illustrious Cycladic civilization that flourished on the island. The exhibition “Thera wall paintings. The masterpieces of the Aegean Prehistory” was inaugurated in August 2021 at the second floor of the museum where for the first time, wall paintings of Thira are presented according to their iconographic programs, i.e. the way they were unfolded in the buildings’ rooms of the prehistoric settlement where they were found.
In collaboration with Mr. Dimitris Athanasoulis, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades and Mrs. Maya Efstathiou, Head of the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.
Venue
The Museum of Prehistoric Thira, having as a point of reference the Prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, presents the life and culture of Thira during the Prehistoric period as depicted through a variety of exhibits, mainly clay vessels and frescoes of fine art, representing the illustrious Cycladic civilization that flourished on the island. The exhibition “Thera wall paintings. The masterpieces of the Aegean Prehistory” was inaugurated in August 2021 at the second floor of the museum where for the first time, wall paintings of Thira are presented according to their iconographic programs, i.e. the way they were unfolded in the buildings’ rooms of the prehistoric settlement where they were found.
Program Highlights
Incorporating lectures, seminars, exhibitions, presentations, and workshops in both physical and digital formats, our emphasis is on fostering meaningful interactions with the local community and artists. These diverse activities enrich education, enhance interaction, and promote a strong sense of community.
7 June
Akrotiri Guided Tour
Duration: 10:00 – 14:00
Location: Akrotiri Archaeological site
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Biennale Opening Exhibition Clay Echoes – Unearthing Hidden Narratives
Duration: 7 June – 28 October 2024 – Wednesday to Monday 8:00 – 15:30
Location: Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Opening Ceremony: 7 June – 20:00 Welcoming Talks and Awards
Guided Tour: 21:00
8 June
Meet the Artists
Duration: 10:00 – 12:30
Location: Pyrgos- Kasteli
Guided Tour for Artists to the Traditional Settlement of Pyrgos
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Vista Yachting Excursion
Duration: 10:00 – 15:00
Location: Vlychada – Red Beach – White Beach – Volcano (port only) – Caldera – Thirasia (lunch) – Return
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art (maximum of 20 participants, admission on a first-come, first-served basis)
Workshop: “Reconstructing Ceramics Through Drawing” by Sepetzoglou Nikos
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Starting Time: 18:00
Free admission – Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art (20 people)
Group Exhibition: “Her Hands Were Muddy When We Met” by Sealed Earth
Artists: Maru Meleniou, Nasia Pavlidou, Angeliki Stamatakou, Marina Taliadourou, Leonie Yagdjoglou
Duration: 5 June – 5 July – Tuesday to Sunday 10:00- 18:00
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Opening Day: 8 June – 21:00 Free Entrance
Wines and Bites
9 June
Ancient Thera- Guided Tour
10:00 – A guided tour at Ancient Thera by Magia Efstathiou (Museum Curator)
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art (maximum of 20 participants, admission on a first-come, first-served basis)
13 July
Clay Echoes – Interpretations: Curators Guided Tour
Duration: 2 Hours
Location: Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Arrival Time: 10:00 am
Registration is required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Group Exhibition: “Major Greek Ceramicists – Visionaries of yesterday, Teachers of today” , by 6exi Contemporary Ceramics
Section 1 – “The Generation of the 50s“
The emergence of the generation of the 1950s was important for the later course of ceramic art in Greece. Visual artists of the art of clay, who kept ceramics alive and pushed them into new forms of expression, while at the same time standing as ‘teachers’, each in their special way, next to the younger current representatives of ceramic art. The exhibition aims to highlight the work of characteristic representatives of this generation, paying tribute to the contribution and consistency of their work.
Artists: Chalkiadakis Manousos, Bakatsi Stella, Ekklisiarchou Margarita, Iatropoulou Carmela, Karakitsos Kostantinos, Kolaitou Eleni, Makaris Andreas, Papadopoulos Menandros, Sklavenitis Nikos
Section 2 – “ Greek Ceramics Today”
Artists: Boudaniotis Ilias, Christopoulos Ilias, Fragkou Vasiliki, Ioannou Maggy, Kyriaki Vasiliki
Koropouli Chara, Libereou Chrysanthe, Livathinou Nancy, Mamoutzis Giannis, Meleniou Marou
Michopoulou Marilena, Perakis Stavros, Pontikis George, Stavrou Dimitra, Taliadourou Marina
Theodorou Maro, Tsirakoglou Theodora, Vlantopoulos Giannis, Yagdjoglou Leonie, Zois Giannis
Duration: 13 July – 24 August – Tuesday to Sunday 10:00- 18:00
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Opening Date: 13 July at 20:00
Free Entrance
22 September
Clay Echoes – Interpretations: Curators Guided Tour
Duration: 2 Hours
Location: Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Arrival Time: 10:00 am
Registration is required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
28 September
Clay Echoes – Interpretations: Curators Guided Tour
Duration: 2 Hours
Location: Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Arrival Time: 10:00 am
Registration is required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Solo Exhibition: Theodora Chorafas, by Sealed Earth
Duration: 28 September – 27 October – Tuesday to Sunday 10:00- 18:00
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Opening 27 September at 18:00
Free Entrance
21 October
Educational Seminar: “House of the Archaeologist” by Vivian Flwrou
Duration: 21 – 25 October
Location: Santorini – Schools
Time: School Hours
24 October
Workshop: “Bare Hands” by George Vavatsis
Duration: 24 – 27 October
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Time: 24-25 10:00 – 14:00, 26-27 17:00 – 20:00
For more information related to workshop fee and registration details please send your messages to 6exiceramics@gmail.com
26 October
Biennale Closing Exhibition Clay Echoes – Unearthing Hidden Narratives
Curators Guided tour
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Arrival Time: 10:00
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Akrotiri Guided Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Akrotiri archaeological Site
Starting Time: 13:00
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Biennale Closing Party
Location: Cavo Tagoo Santorini
Starting Time: 18:00
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
27 October
Closing Solo Exhibition “No birth, No death – Personal Excavations” – Theodora Chorafas
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Time: 11:00 – 18:00
Creative Writing Seminar with Ioanna Gerakidis
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Time: 12:00
Registration required – rsvp@bigbluedot.art
Completion of Giorgos Vavatsis Workshop
Location: Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) – Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
Time: 16:00
Partners
Production
Co-production
With the support of
– Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO)
– NEON Organization for Culture and Development
– COSMOS – ESG & CSR consulting
Collaborations
– Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades
– Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos”
In the context of
– 2024 | Japan – Greece | Year of Culture & Tourism
Exclusive Partners
Exquisite Partners
– Aegean Airlines | Official Air Carrier
– Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos
– Interbus
Vanguard Partner
– OCEANBULK
Prime Partners
– Deloitte
Supreme Partner
– SITE-SPECIFIC Light Engineering
Essential Partner
– Franman
Donors & Friends
– UTECO
International Media
– A*DESK
– NEO2
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