The talented painter inaugurated yesterday his new, sixth solo exhibition, entitled “The Thing in Itself”, at the Contemporary Athens gallery curated by Art historian Louiza Karapidakis. This was the reason for an interesting conversation with him regarding his painting, regarding Artificial Intelligence, which he tried in his work, regarding his influences.
The painter talks to “ET” on the occasion of his new exhibition at the Contemporary Athens gallery
“Thing in Itself” is essentially what is hidden behind things, what we do not see or what our senses do not allow us to see”, says Adrianos to “ET”.
What are you presenting?
In this exhibition I present more classical, painterly works and some more complex, hyperrealistic works. It is a body of work, one part of which conveys my need to deal with painting as an image, where form, color, movement, this very pleasure of painting are paramount. The other part is based on the studies, where I externalize something more personal, like for example the work “Maternal” or “Time Capsules”, where I try to essentially enclose the figure in a space with multiple symbols. Sometimes the symbolism has to do with space and time and other times it is more visual. For example, I replace the woman’s breasts with two glasses of milk and the uterus with an egg.
Are you inspired by people you know?
No, they’re usually models. When I paint a child, I may have my son in mind, but I’m not trying to paint him by making his portrait. I don’t care if it looks like him. I want it to refer to any child who is in the sea or playing in his bath.
Your painting seems to include different faces within it. Do you feel that way?
I have many interests in painting, it’s a fact. I like many different elements. However, I would say that my works are not different, they all connect somewhere. And everything is a study of something else. I like the geometry, the power of the brushstroke, the color, but also the chiaroscuro that has the power of light.
Does your painting have a metaphysical character?
I am concerned with the metaphysical through both physics and philosophy, which is why I had done a project related to quantum physics and called it “quantum”. The metaphysical element is mainly expressed in the mirrors, where I try to trap the light in the light, the mirror in the mirror, and in the time capsules, where I play with the differences of space and time. Also the triptychs I create have a metaphysical character. I think the symbolic and the metaphysical element are close. You may use some symbolism to express metaphysical elements, because they make you see behind things.
Do you paint because you can’t do anything else?
I paint so I don’t get bored. I can’t get enough of painting. She is more unpredictable. Creation is like that. And if I were a musician, the same would happen. Painting is an open dialogue with the whole world. A continuous development…
The ‘Thing in Itself’, is hidden behind things
“Can not to help me the Artificial Intelligence”
Have you been interested in Artificial Intelligence in relation to painting?
Yes, of course, and I have also done some tests. I’ve tried to help me with my painting, but it can’t. He thinks completely differently from us. I had given some project drafts to Artificial Intelligence and had them make various variations for me, but the result was not something that expressed me and that I would do in painting.
Info:Adrianos Sotiris “The Thing in Itself”. Edited by: Louiza Karapidaki. Exhibition duration: Until 20.04.2024. Contemporary Athens: Neofytou Vamva 5, Kolonaki, 10674 Athens, tel. 6980306941. Opening hours Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 – 20:00 Wednesday, Saturday 10:00 – 15:00. www.contemporaryathens.com
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