OSTEOTOPIA INSTALLATION (2016)
Vertebrae plaster molds, iron, plaster, teeth molds, and canvas textile.
16x8 M
Vertebrae plaster molds, iron, plaster, teeth molds, and canvas textile.
16x8 M
Osteotopia is the main installation piece that resulted from my research and “Thanatometria” theorem. Installed in old army barracks with a controversial role in the 1997 Albanian civil war. Those barracks housed both the soldiers and the prisoners of war. Greek soldiers were commanded to guard the borders and kill everyone trying to cross the border and escape into Albania. Those who managed to make it reached town were considered dead for their country. If captured, they were taken to the barracks as prisoners until someone was to search for them. In the process of completing the artwork, I found and interviewed soldiers serving their military service at that time and a prisoner who had escaped successfully to Greece.
The installation was composed of 33 vertebral columns with their vertebrae being classified as a system in numerical order.The first column consisted of 33 Atlas vertebrae the second of 33 Axis vertebrae, the third spine column of the third vertebrae (C3) and so on. ( Atlas is the topmost vertebra, axis forms the joint connecting the skull and spine).This composition creates an impression of pareidolia due to the uncanny design of these new vertebrae by progressing from a child-sized spine to an adult full length one. The installation’s spines come to an end and transform conceptually into an ensemble of a formless array. The ground transforms along with the installation through a cluster of teeth moulds and plaster fragments.
To enter the room, one had to pass through a black but fully illuminated room resulting in the Purkinje effect and become virtually colour-blind (for 5 minutes) under the low levels of rooms illumination. Exiting the installation room, one came across “Pantepoptes”, two paintings placed on either side of the entrance. Having used to the absence of light, it is impossible to see the paintings clearly as the irises readjust to the influx of light.
The installation was composed of 33 vertebral columns with their vertebrae being classified as a system in numerical order.The first column consisted of 33 Atlas vertebrae the second of 33 Axis vertebrae, the third spine column of the third vertebrae (C3) and so on. ( Atlas is the topmost vertebra, axis forms the joint connecting the skull and spine).This composition creates an impression of pareidolia due to the uncanny design of these new vertebrae by progressing from a child-sized spine to an adult full length one. The installation’s spines come to an end and transform conceptually into an ensemble of a formless array. The ground transforms along with the installation through a cluster of teeth moulds and plaster fragments.
To enter the room, one had to pass through a black but fully illuminated room resulting in the Purkinje effect and become virtually colour-blind (for 5 minutes) under the low levels of rooms illumination. Exiting the installation room, one came across “Pantepoptes”, two paintings placed on either side of the entrance. Having used to the absence of light, it is impossible to see the paintings clearly as the irises readjust to the influx of light.
