EPIKYKLOS once again supported the exhibition as a creative partner, as part of the actions of the Academy of Culture.

On Saturday 20 May in the morning, in the Hall of the “Chrysostomos” Philological Association and in the presence of the president of the association Mr. Kostis Mavrakakis and the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Chania Mr. Nikolaos Hazirakis, a roundtable discussion was held on the topic “Symbols and the arts”, with speakers Mr. Dimitris Antonakakis (Architect and former Artistic Director of CAM), Mr. Ilias Malandris (Theatreologist, Director and Writer), Mr. Michalis Manousakis (Artist and Professor of the Athens School of Fine Arts), Mr. Panagiotis Pagalos (Architect and Assistant Professor of the University of West Attica), Mr. Nikos Xanthoulis (Composer, Lyricist and Research Associate of the Academy of Athens), Mr. Nikos Tranos (Artist, Rector and Professor of the Athens School of Fine Arts) and Mr. Dimitris Tsakalakis (Architect and Professor of the Technical University of Crete). The speakers presented their perspective on the importance and use of symbols in architecture and the arts, while the session was followed by a discussion with the audience.

In the afternoon at Yali Tzamii, one of the venues that house works of the exhibition, the composer and lyricist Mr. Nikos Xanthoulis took us on a journey with his ancient Greek lyre to a “Lyric meeting of rhythms”. Many people attended and enjoyed a mystical marriage between the unique melody of the ancient lyre and the works of art, each of which had its own unique story to tell the spectators, in a historical space, a symbol of the Old Port of Chania. Afterwards, a scientific tour around all the exhibition spaces was held by Mr. Panagiotis Pagalos. Visitors had the opportunity to chat with some of the creators who were in attendance and presented their own works.

Then, the audience was transferred to the Mikis Theodorakis Auditorium, where the official opening of the exhibition took place, with the Mayor of Chania, Mr. Panagiotis Simandirakis, prefacing the event by pointing out the importance of the presence of the International exhibition “Symbols II: Memory” in the city of Chania while expressing his thoughts on whether the development of artificial intelligence can affect contemporary art.

The floor was taken by Mr. Lefteris Vergerakis, member of the Architecture Committee of CAM, who emphasized how important it is for the Mediterranean Architecture Center to engage in high quality events, followed by Dr. Panagiotis Pangalos, who referred to the objectives of the “Symbols II: Memory” exhibition and pointed out the difficulty of setting up such a large exhibition in 5 different exhibition spaces in Chania. An ambitious venture that was crowned with success, thanks to the help of the Public Benefit Enterprise of Culture and Environment of the Municipality of Chania – Mediterranean Architecture Center and the co-organizers, whom Mr. Panagiotis Pangalos specially thanked for their initiative and support.

The opening event came to a musical close as Mr. Nikos Xanthoulis performed his work “The search for harmony through the symbolization of resonances” which was followed by a performance by the brilliant Teens Choir of the Municipality of Chania.

The exhibition will run from May 20 to June 15, 2023, with free admission for the public, and will simultaneously unfold in 5 historical landmarks of the Old Town of Chania: the CAM, the Yali Tzamii, the Sabbionara Gate, the small church of Saint Rocco and the Hammam on Katre Street. The experience of browsing the entire exhibition as it spreads across town and the prospective labyrinthine routes that connect the distinct spaces that accommodate it, bring the archetypal form of the mythical labyrinth to mind, an abstract version of which is the actual logo of this exhibition.

Over 100 creators from Greece and abroad, as well as from Crete, participate in the exhibition, with many works by world-renowned personalities showcased for the first time as part of the exhibition “SYMBOLS II: Memory”, curated by associate professor of the University of West Attica, Dr. Panagiotis Pangalos.

Duration of the exhibition: May 20 – June 15, 2023
“CAM, Yali Tzamii, Sabbionara, Saint Rocco & Hammam on Katre Street
Old Town of Chania”

See more about the project here