Onassis Foundation presents "The Kiss" mural by Ilias Papailiakis at Avdi Square
Athens, a city full of emotions
A deeply human-centered, easily comprehensible and, at the same time, complex artwork, Ilias Papailiakis’ “The Kiss” (2019) is transformed into a contemporary mural for a contemporary city.
Photo: Stelios Tzetzias
Two figures and a kiss embrace Athenian people and visitors alike, as a cordial and intimate image that makes the city’s heart beating faster. As of today, the Onassis Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Athens Culture, Sports and Youth Organization, ‘showcases’ the Ilias Papailiakis’ painting transformed into a mural at Avdi square, in Metaxourgio, the Athenian downtown neighborhood, across the New Municipal Gallery of Athens. “The Kiss” evokes a vivid sense of life and optimism, and starting of today embraces both residents and passersby, highlighting the value of human contact, even in times of social distancing, such as the present one. The internationally acclaimed Greek artist’s work that adorns the facade of the Giatrakou street block of flats, and rises up to 72-feet high, seeks to offer a sensual delight amongst the city’s dense web, as well as an opportunity to rest our sight and express our feelings, the very moment we face it.
Two figures and a kiss embrace Athenian people and visitors alike, as a cordial and intimate image that makes the city’s heart beating faster.
“The work expresses a certain and unique moment between two people. Love, desire, tenderness, proximity, and awareness of the other are some of the issues echoed in these few lines. Showcasing the work in the public realm aims at encouraging the dialogue in a city meant for meeting and being with each other. An emotional city.”
Photo: Pavlos Fysakis
“The kiss depicted in this mural is a universal image for everyone to identify with, regardless of gender, age, and ethnic background. Athens’ public space is enriched with a valuable artwork promoting dialogue, kinship, the idea of meeting and being with each other. The minimalism of the lines comprising ‘The Kiss’ is reminiscent of Yannis Moralis’ relief mural on the facade of the Hilton Athens, while the immediacy of the image and its message lures the passersby. As any other ‘Kiss’ in the history of art, like the ones created by Rodin, Klimt, Brancusi, Warhol, and all the artists that dealt with this theme in the past, Papailiakis’ mural sends a message of unity, and hones our senses. A private moment, at times public, especially among young people, is here rendered monumental. Papailiakis’ ‘The Kiss’ is a deeply human-centered, easily comprehensible and, at the same time, complex, ambiguous artwork, full of meanings. A contemporary artwork for a contemporary city. Today, Athens is much in need of works breathing a hopeful, vibrant, and joyful air, works that defy a simple decorative purpose, and give rise to reflection and debate. Papailiakis’ mural paves the way, as an example of a fresh approach to the public art in Athens.” - Christopher Marinos, art critic
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Photo: Stelios Tzetzias
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Photo: Pavlos Fysakis
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Photo: Pavlos Fysakis
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Photo: Stelios Tzetzias
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Photo: Pavlos Fysakis
“The Onassis Foundation is presenting a series of works on which to rest and refresh our gaze. Works that bring us comfort, and give us pause. In neighborhoods that need a breath of fresh air.
UrbanAct (members and co-workers) has an active presence in Greece since 1998. Its primary goal is to promote the art and the techniques of public mural (street art etc.), intervening mainly at public spaces. UrbanAct implements organized public mural projects, such as the “School Buildings Murals” and “Colors in Hospitals” projects, mural festivals featuring renowned artists, visual art exhibitions, and publications in Greece and internationally.
Credits
Ilias Papailiakis, painter
Curator: Christopher Marinos, art historian, City of Athens Culture, Sports and Youth Organization’s exhibitions and events curator
Onassis Foundation Project Manager: Maria Vassariotou
Line Production: UrbanAct
Realized by Life In Colour
Commissioned & Produced by Onassis Foundation
In collaboration with the City of Athens Culture, Sports and Youth Organization
The work is a rendering of the painting presented at Ilias Papailiakis’ solo exhibition “Theoretical Objects: Works 2017-2020” at the Municipal Gallery of Athens, organized by the City of Athens Culture, Sports and Youth Organization.
