BLOOM (group exhibition, Callirhoe gallery Athens)

Despina Charitonidi, Antonis Theodoridis, Kostis Velonis in collaboration with SWAN S.A., E. SKRIMIZEAS S.A. and OCEANIC PRO

31 May – 28 September 2024
Opening day & first act: 31 May 2024, 7 pm – 10 pm
Opening day & second act: 03 September 2024, 6 pm – 9 pm

Antonis Theodoridis's project " Sungazers" (2024) continues his exploration of Athenian sunlight as an agent of change, juxtaposing the pristine with the decaying and the contemporary with the old, as in his series "Nothing New Under the Sun" (2019). This new work draws visual inspiration from close-up photographs of the sun taken during the summer wildfires of 2023 near Athens, where the sun, viewed through smoke clouds, appeared dimmed and ever-changing in color and brightness.

Theodoridis uses industrial and commercial materials like acrylics and UV ink, which deteriorate under sunlight, reflecting the decay of both materials and images. Specifically working with plexiglass—a non-environmentally friendly material—he examines its lifespan, discoloration, and fragility, and considers the emotional impact and shifting perceptions of such materials in the context of environmental awareness. Utilizing unrefined by-products from acrylic production, he embraces their organic-like qualities such as melting, flowing, and cracking, in contrast to refined commercial materials. The work consists of semitransparent "black boxes" with sun and sky photographs printed on all sides using ultraviolet printing. These boxes, inspired by traditional devices used to experience solar effects, such as darkened glass and camera obscura, feature a strict, defined shape juxtaposed with the organic textures of the materials. Acting as light-capturing devices, the boxes obscure and reflect images of the sun and sky while also reflecting the viewer's image.

Through this project, Theodoridis not only captures the ephemeral beauty of sunlight but also invites contemplation on material decay, environmental impact, and the complex relationship between the natural and industrial worlds.