Interior design workshop in Athens

It's humanity's nature not only using and shaping it's surrounding space but also fill it with beauty and meaning. By using the term interior design we describe that group of projects that are about transforming an interior space into an effective environment for the spectrum of human activities taking place there. 

Designers and interior architects have defined the relationship of humans and their environment based on psychological and natural parameters, with the purpose of improving their quality of life. This procedure delivers economic, functional, aesthetic and social advantages and in that way provides strategic thought, which aims into the multifaceted performance of an investment. 

The first ESO, a workshop dedicated to interior design, wants to gather the creative society of these designers so as to introduce their work to us and also their dynamic, their thoughts and perspectives. We will be able to see the way in which it develops and draw conclusions about its place in Greek reality.

The speakers panel for ESO, which will take place at the Onassis Cultural Centre on the 7th of February is: 

- Maria Vafeiadis (mkv design) Key Note Speaker  
- Zeppos - Georgiadi (zege)
- Babis Ioannou (ISV)
- Dimitris Karampatakis (k-studio)
- Memos Philippidis (mplusm)
 
Presenting: Giannis Douridas, Architect   |  Pecha Kucha Athens
 
 

Distinguished graphic designers will take part in the workshop with short intervening presentations. They will examine the relationship between graphic and interior design.

The art direction and design of the ESO communication is by Stage Design Office. Soon there will be more information. Due to the limited number of seats, please reserve your seat soon here.

The workshop is organized by the magazine +design in collaboration with ARCHISEARCH.gr

Dimitris Petrou - Theros (or how I met one of the best Greek designers out there)

You must remember my previous post about the talented Dimitris Petrou, if not, freshen up your memory here before reading on. When I was in Athens last April, my dear Margarita (another extremely talented person who I am so lucky to have met) arranged for me to visit Dimitris in his atelier in Kolonaki, Athens and see his newest collection, Theros (means Summer in Greek) first-hand. I must say I approached the atelier with a little trepidation. Kolonaki is a very haute-bourgeois quarter and fashion people are notorious for their huge egos and condescending approach to anyone outside their cocooned world. Boy, was I in for a huge and pleasant surprise.

Dimitris welcomed me in the atelier himself. He was alone, waiting for me, and even though I was a bit late (I will  be late for my own funeral just like Liz Taylor, trust me) he welcomed me with a warm smile and seemed genuinely happy to have me there. Extremely well mannered and polite, he offered me a cup of coffee (in a vintage cup just like one my mother used to have ages ago) and we sat on one of the minimalist white sofas (in Le Corbusier style) that make up the few furniture of the atelier, matching the lovely 3D effect wallpaper on one of the walls. The whole place is painted in grey and white and decorated (sparingly) accordingly, in line with the winter collection. We talked a bit about how he wanted to change that and bring some colour in, to match the latest offerings and the theme, Theros - also his summer mood I must add. In no time we were talking like old friends (I found out he is from Northern Greece as well, Naoussa to be exact) and I felt really at home.

He had a fitting before I arrived there, with a Greek singer named Tamta for her new show opening the week after, and earlier in the day a couple of magazine editors were there for interviews and the new collection. He told me business was going well and the new clothes were greeted very positively from the Greek press and fashion people. I must remind you that his work is sur mesure - so you can find these exquisite pieces only in the atelier at 32 Kanari St, Kolonaki, Athens. 

As enjoyable as our conversation was, it was time to look at the clothes as well. Contrary to the winter collection, the summer one seems infused with colour, even though in reality he is using only three: a caramel/copper brown, a dark navy blue and a lighter blue on denim that looks really old and washed but very uniformly. His fabrics are gorgeous to feel and exquisitely cut while his idea of using a huge batch of silk scarves to make up whole items or part of clothes was brilliantly used and informed rather than dominated the collection. I got to see his incredibly textured knits up close, where he uses 3 or 4 materials knitted together in one piece that looks delicate and feels airy to touch (and wear as well). The denim he uses in this collection has a bit of stretch in it of course; he cut it into a most beautiful evening gown that must surely become one of this season's hits (see last photo of the post). As for his leather, it is soft as fresh butter and even the details made with it on some outfits are meticulously stitched and cut, adding an edge to them.

I loved the fact that again men and women's outfits are equal in the collection - Dimitris does not focus on one part more than the other, while some pieces can be worn by both men and women alike. Some details of course are mostly for the catwalk effect or a client mostly interested in stage clothes than every day (like the heavily embroidered cuffs and collar on a male shirt or the long almost transparent sleeveless knit top shown on male models but being on the women's rack in the atelier). I absolutely adore the shorts and I definitely would have gotten one if I had the time to do the fittings (the prices are really good and very very very affordable). I promised myself I will get something from the next winter collection instead.

Dimitris told me he is working a lot with couples getting married. I loved the idea of a bride and groom getting something made for them in the atelier by Dimitris and recommend it wholeheartedly. Plus it will be something you will surely want to wear again and again and not let it hidden in the back of the closet.

I must also point out that the accessories are designed by Dimitris as well: brilliant belts and gorgeous bags were there, in matching colours to the clothing, while he told me of his bespoke service too. There are two bag designs in two sizes each, where a client can pick the colours she wants for it from a palette and it will be made for her in two weeks. This service is also available in Thessaloniki, at the boutique of Anna Kapsali, Stylefax at 19 Proxnou Koromila St.

After checking out all the clothes of the summer (and last winter's too) collection, it was unfortunately time to go. I promised my self to visit again when in Athens, and said goodbye to Dimitris, wishing him all the best - he really deserves it. If you find yourself in Athens, go and check the clothes - I bet you will not be able to resist getting a piece of the collection. And it is a keeper. Promise.

Photographer :Yiorgos Kaplanidis
Fashion editor: Manos Jojos
Make up artist: Christina Agatha
Hair stylist: Dimitris Sarantou
Models:Idan - vn models, Kelvin - d models
Graphic Design : Angelo Pantelidis.

A few words about the show (which took place ten days before Easter, in April) at Thision theatre, with about 150 special guests, due to the size f the venue (Dimitris always shows his collections during their proper season and not earlier as the clothes are made to measure and there is no sense in making them 6 months before). The show started with a dance, choreographed by Apostolia Papadamaki and performed by Ioannis Emmanouilidis and Maria Lambropoulou, dressed of course in Dimitris' clothes, bringing to life the painting by Michael Tsakounti, made especially for the collection and featured on the invitation cover (designed by Aggelos Pantelidis). Then the proper fashion show began with 30 models parading like an army of modern reapers, with music by Amateur Boyz and video art by Thanassis Tsimbinis. 

The make-up was done by the talented make up artist Yiannis Marketakis with MAX FACTOR products. Hair was designed by Dimitris Sarantou and fashion direction by Manos Jojos.

Sofia Alexiadou took care of lighting (alluding to summer light) while the twin 2D gave a sense of a field of wheat on stage under the direction of scenographer George Asimakopoulos. The art direction was by George Nanouris. And of course Margarita Gourgourini was helping organize the whole thing. So much talent together! 

Dictatorship 1967-1974: the print resistance

The exhibition of documents titled "Dictatorship 1967-1974: the print resistance", organized by the Cultural Foundation of Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers  is being transferred to Athens. In collaboration with the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation (ΜΙΕΤ) the more than 120 publications printed during the Junta period and circulated in illegal or nearly so circumstances, within Greece and abroad, along with the complete visual environment that was installed last year in  the Cultural Foundation of Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers, will be hosted from the 16th of December 2010 until the 30th of January 2011 at  the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation - Eynard Mansion, in Athens (20 Agiou Konstantinou St.).

It is the first time such a big number of printed documents of anti-dictatorship action has been gathered in an effort to systematically document this material and representatively reflect its big dispersion geographically and the wide political spectrum they represent. 

 A volume of the same name as the exhibition will be published at the same time with it's opening. In it,  the Cultural Foundation of Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers has gathered all the informational and visual material of the exhibition along with the minutes of the workshop organized last February with the same theme. 

The full list of the exhibition contributors and the archives from which the exhibits come from is as follows: 

Co-organized by

National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation (MIET)

Cultural Foundation of Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEMTH)

Organizing Committee ,

Christos Zaphiris, Ilias Koutsoukos, 

Dimitra Kehagia, Giannis Kotsifos, 

Scientific Editor - Texts

Vaggelis Karamanolakis (Historian, University of Athens)

Graphic Design 

Thanassis Georgiou

Overseer - Co-ordinator 

Christos Zaphiris

Museological and Museographical Design and Construction 

TETRAGON Ltd.:  Eleni Vretzaki

The documents and objects exhibited are from the archives and collections of the following organizations and persons:  

Archives of Contemporary Social History 

Company of Rescuing Historical Archives 1940-1974 Central And Western Macedonia 

Greek Literary Historical Archive 

Greek Parliament's Library 

Association of Imprisoned and Exiled Resistance Members 1967-1974

Company for Studyind the History of Left Youth 

Christos Zaphiris

Manolis Kandylakis

Vasileios Nikolitsios

Kostas Pyrzas

Photographed by Dinos Michail in 2009 at the first  exhibition in Thessaloniki.

Dimitris Petrou - How to wear ice grey

Dimitris Petrou is a young and very talented Greek fashion designer. A few days ago he opened his showroom in Athens, at 23 Kanari St. in Kolonaki, where most Greek fashion houses are located and has a multitude of big-name designer boutiques from all over the world. He launched the showroom with a fashion show where he showed his winter 2010-2011 collection, called "Sur Mesure" (made to measure) for women and men. The photographs accompanying this post are from this collection.

His designs are all in ice grey, a totally monochromatic collection, toying with how the colour looks in different fabrics and textures. The results are spectacular. The way he plays with fabric is incredible, either in the way he cuts the clothes or the way he treats fabric, cutting it into small pieces which then he sews back together or cutting patterns with holes into the fabric to make a futuristic lace effect. And every woman outfit in the collection has it's male counterpart - although I would not suggest matching dressing up for a couple - avoid at all costs!

Every piece in this collection can be ordered sur mesure from his atelier - so it's like getting a couture piece for you in a fraction of the price. So go to the atelier and get yourself a piece of this collection. It's worth it.

Photos : Yiorgos Kaplanidis
Fashion Direction : Manos Jojos
Creative Supervisor :Antonis Kozakidis
Hair : Dimitris Sarantou
Make Up : MAC
Models : Rossana , Panayiotis  at VN Models



Video Art - Director: Tina Sardelas
Hair : George Marascas
Make-up : Tzeni Toumazatou
Models : Haley , Christos at VN Models
Creative Supervision : Antonis Kozakidis
Styling Advisor : Manos Jojos

Afu Custom Furniture

 The Afu shop in Kolonaki, Athens

Knot series

Dimitris Tsigos is a very talented Greek architect. His latest venture is Afu Custom Furniture and he send us a letter for it:

In our latest enterprise, our objective
was to introduce to the public the results of our ongoing research in
the fields of advanced geometries and modern CAD/CAM methodologies.


Therefore we have opened up a concept store in Athens, Greece where we exhibit furniture pieces and objects designed by us.


To get a better idea of the concept and see all the designs, we are glad to present you with the following options:


1) Visit the afu store!


8 Haritos St. Kolonaki
Athens, Greece, 10675


2) Visit the afu website:


www.afu.gr


3) Visit the afu facebook page, by clicking on the link.


For all comments – enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact us:


info@afu.gr
T +30 210 7210148


Best regards,


Dimitrios Tsigos
Chief designer

Another Afu shop view

 The finished products look incredible - Usus series

Tractus series in the shop

 Fluctus series

Green Design Festival 2010 in Athens

Green Design Festival, is back in Athens, two years after its first successful show. From the 23rd of September until the 10th of October, an original, open space and open to the public action will take place, under the auspice of the Municipality of Athens and the Ministry of Environment, sponsored by the Post Bank and has 150 designers from all aspects of design collaborating along with architects, curators and volunteers.

Its aim is to speak about a modern way of live, environmentally friendly, thorugh design and its applications and produce environmental behaviour through its themes and proposals.

Green Design Festival is organised by Brainlab, an independant non-profit and non-govermental organization. The ceter of activities is again Syntagma Square in Athens at the Eco Museum, an environmentally friendly recyclable construction which will house exhibitions, actions, events and educational programs. At the same time, architectural exhibitis will be at seven more central points in Athens, inviting the people to see their city in a different way.

During the Green Design Festival, the city is transformed into a live interactive space of ideas and suggestions, through new technologies, of image and design. Through the various aspects of design and with a strong emphasis on the templates of sustainability (in environmental as well as in a social level), the festival speaks about the consequences of climate change, uses renewable and alternative energy sources, explores the relationship between ecological conscience and economy and focuses on an environmentallyf riendly "re-design"of our everyday life.

6th Biennale for Young Greek Architects - September 2010

The committee for choosing the works of young Greek Architects to participate in the 6th Biennale for Young Greek Architects, organised by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture and held this September at Benaki Museum in Athens has picked unanimously 75 works out of 368 submissions, the most works ever picked for the show. The criteria were their high design and construction quality but also their originality. The selections also cover a wide variety of categories.

Half of the projects chosen are already constructed, while the rest are still only at the design phase. The fact that many of the submitted projects have already received other architectural awards, some of them international, is very encouraging for the future of Greek Architecture.

The selection of the proposals on display was carried out by architects Nikos Kalogirou, Lois Papadopoulos, Dimitris Papalexopoulos and Elias Konstantopoulos.

The exhibition of the 75 projects will be held at the Benaki Museum at Pireus St., from the 16th of September to the 17th of October.

Mirό of Majorca

The exhibition Mirό of Majorca was hosted from the 9th of June 2009 till the 7th of February 2010 at the Teloglion Foundation of Art in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is now moving to Athens, where it will be exhibited at the Hellenic Cosmos "Theatron", Ismini Hall, from today, February 22nd, till the 30th of May 2010.

I went to see this show while it was still here in Thessaloniki. I was surprised by the bad design of the exhibition itself. I did not expect to see, in 2010, in a renowned Art Foundation of our country, such a significant artist exhibited in such an elementary way.His works were simply put on display grouped in periods, without text to accompany them showing what each period meant to the artist and connecting it to contemporary art and history.

The signs with the information for each work of art were placed on the ground, making every visitor taller than 1,50m (i.e. most of us) struggle to read it. The fact that they were made of transparent plexiglass did not help of course.

The lighting was bad, non descript. The sculptures suffered particularly of this, arranged in the middle of the biggest room and simply spot lighted without any thought of how the shadows would play both on the sculpture and around it.

A series of works were about sketches and drawings the artist made about various large scale works, either paintings or sculpture, prominently displayed in various parts of the world, most of them orders by municipalities, countries, rich individuals, companies. What struck me is that not a single photograph of the finished art was displayed, for any of the above.

There was a room dedicated to the work Miro did inspired by the theatre play Roi Yby. They had a single opportunity to make a very theatrical room to inspire and guide people to why he was so connected to this piece of theatre. They missed. The show also missed how his art influenced and came to represent the national identity of Spain.

A very positive aspect of the show was the exhibition of special copies of some of the paintings made for blind people - I had never seen that in a major show in Greece and was pleasantly surprised. And another interesting set up was the exhibition of some artefacts, small furniture and stuff from his studio, on a stage with a panoramic photo of the actual place as a background - but then again, it remained a plain and simple display of objects, not engaging the visitor in any way.

The graphic design of the exhibition's brochure and posters were excellent: they were done by Rooster Design, a great and much lauded graphic design studio from Thessaloniki. The exhibition is organized by Teloglion Art Foundation in cooperation with the Pilar i Joan Miro Foundation of Majorka - all of the artwork comes from there.