REFUTE IT @ The art foundation in Athens

Metamatic: taf opens on Thursday the 23rd of October 2014 at 8:30 p.m. the exhibition ΔΙΑΨΕΥΣΕ ΤΟ (REFUTE IT).

Ten comic book artists and four scriptwriters from the contemporary Greek comic scene introduce themselves while opening an interactive dialogue with the public

These artists stand against the present social condition and choose a word, which according to them reflects contemporary life, in order to produce a work based on it. All the words arising have a negative connotation: Dissension (Διαίρεση), Fanaticism (Iδεοληψία), Low Spirit (Ακεφιά), Lie (Ψέμα), Egoism (Εγωισμός), Hypocrisy (Υποκρισία), Decay (Σήψη), Obsession (Εμμονή), Humiliation (Ταπείνωση) and Rage (Οργή). Their negativity will be reversed soon; the first letter of each word in Greek eventually forms an acrostic which constitutes the title of the exhibition, while being a direct challenge to the public: REFUTE IT (ΔΙΑΨΕΥΣΕ ΤΟ).

Drawing inspiration from John Dewey’s popular quote claiming that “a problem well defined is half solved”, the participating artists compel the visitor to a full consciousness of reality. Each of the words and by extension their semantic content is presented in a raw, divested or even pretentiously harsh way both in their meaning and in their consequences and extensions. Through the multilevel art of comics that combines the undeniable influence of the image with a minimal yet substantial text, the artists are trying to provoke emotional reactions and ultimately transform them into thoughts, concerns, ideals and above all actions which will go beyond the limited grounds of metamatic:taf’s exhibition space.

Konstantinos Sklavenitis

At the same time the artists introduce themselves, being exposed along with their works, while opening an interactive dialogue with the public. They willingly accompany the visitors from the first reaction or aversion to the acceptance and awareness of the problem.

Each and every creator puts their personal signature using their own techniques and experiences, utilising an arsenal of pencils, inks, watercolours, ecoline and acrylics. Students and teachers, professionals and amateurs from different backgrounds and with different means of expression, unite under the art of comics, striving, venturing, educing or provoking: REFUTE IT.

On Saturday 15 November at 7 p.m. on the occasion of the exhibition closing, metamatic:taf will host a live music show by the band Happy Dog Project.

Paricipating artistis: Katerina Bakagianni, Manolis Frangidis, Valia Kapadai, Vera Kartalou, Eugenia Koumaki, Giannis Monogyios, Kostas Pantoulas, Pavlos Pavlidis, Fotis Pehlivanidis, Thanasis Petrou, Konstantinos Sklavenitis, Sophia Spirliadou, Panagiotis Tsaousis, Angeliki Tzortzakaki, Kostis Tzortzakakis, Dimitris Vanellis, Martha Vosdou, Klio Xenidou

Curated by: Vera Kartalou

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-19:00

Admission Free

Address: 5 Normanou str. 105 55 Athens, Monastiraki