Vlassis Caniaris

In the current climate of economic crisis, Vlassis Caniaris’ historical installation “In Praise” is timelier than ever. A work of pivotal importance and unique in its style, it sheds light on the current complex socio-political and economic situation in Greece. Constructed almost as a funereal monument with only a few elements, it exerts an ideological and emotional pressure as a commentary on uncontrolled urbanization and the importance of preserving historical consciousness.

Presented at the artist’s retrospective at the National Gallery in Athens in 1999 and at Omonia Square as part of a project of the National Museum of Contemporary Art in 2011, the work consists of piles of vintage cement sacks wrapped with Greek flags.

With major international exhibitions and participations at the Greek Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (1964, 1988, 2013) and Documenta 6 (1977), Caniaris is one of the pioneers of post-war art in Greece and a major influence in emergence of a new artistic climate. In the 1960’s and 1970’s he developed a distinctive style, experimenting with modes of expression that strayed from the mainstream, as well as an iconography focused on socio-political themes.

* ‘In Praise’ is the title of an ode by eminent Greek poet Andreas Kalvos (Zakynthos/GR 1791 – Louth/UK 1869). Due to his active involvement in the revolutionary group, the Carbonari, he was expelled to Geneva in 1821 where he stayed for about four years. The ode ‘In Praise’ belongs to Kalvos’ first collection of poems titled ‘Lyra’, which was published in Geneva in 1824 and consists of ten patriotic odes.

Booth U34

In collaboration with Kalfayan Gallery

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Vlassis Caniaris: I Praise
Art Basel Unlimited, Basel, Switzerland

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