to the Heyman Center for the Humanities at the Columbia University.
Talismanic Aloe-Tunic
The action of this protective clothing made
from hemp
yarn and calabash fertility seeds “written” in a pseudo-script, is reinforced by the “magic” power of the
knot knitting net and the healing properties of dried Aloe Vera flowers.
Votive Peplos
An inscribed confession cloth,
which relieves the possessor of his or her harmful secrets. The fact that it’s
specifically designed and tailored to fit the physical and spiritual character
of the owner, enhances the peplos’ ability to provide relief.
Protective Tunic with Written
Reeds
On the South Mediterranean coast script is believed to have a magical force and the written word is thought to
provide protection. The amuletic ornament of the reed, which is concurrently a
writing implement, is “written” in Greek, Arabic and Tifinagh scripts.
Talismanic Cloth
The calabash “written” seeds knotted on this talismanic cloth are a
strong fertility symbol in North Africa meant to be recited as magical
incantations.
Ritual Garment with Copper Ceremonial Bells
A tunic made of cotton permeated with
vegetable dye roots, bark and leaves inscribed and “charged” in a mystical way. The sound
of the copper bells follows the ritual of the wearer in action.
Ritual Garment with Tiny Ceremonial Bells
A tunic made of cotton permeated with
vegetable dye from roots, bark and leaves inscribed and
“charged” in a mystical way. The sound of the tiny bells follows the ritual of
the wearer in action.
Big Protective Tunic
A supernatural cloth-shield garment to ward off the evil eye and all evil
intentions, activated even by a simple touch. The “written” verses of Gibran
emit their protection through Art.
The sheltering word
This
exhibition is an art quest which explores the healing and protective power of
the written word as a specific cultural idiom and takes the form of a dialogue
between Greek and North African cultures
The spectator revisits the
symbols again in order to reactivate ancient bonds with the eternal subject of
supernatural protection drawn from the continuous exchange across this specific
geographic and cultural area with its distinctive indigenous scripts.
Irini Gonou was born
in Athens. She studied sculpture at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des
Beaux-Arts and at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.
From 1980 she has shown her work in thirty two solo exhibitions and she has
participated in many group exhibitions in Greece and abroad. Her artwork is
included to a variety of important public and private collections in Greece and
abroad. She lives and works in Athens. www.irinigonou.gr
The duration of the exhibition is from
September 25th to October 23rd 2013
