SERGIS
«METAMORPHOSIS, 2»
CYPRUS HOUSE OF CULTURE
CYPRUS EMBASSY ATHENS
OPENING 12.9.2022 / UNTIL 7.10.2022
A second phase of the "Metamorphosis" project is presented in this exhibition by the South-African-born, Cypriot artist Sergis Adamos.
The triptych "Paphos Souls," which was awarded at the 2018 Larnaca Biennale, provided a visual explanation of Sergis' use of the original material derived from the decayed, water-damaged negative plates of the famous Cypriot photographer Spyros Haritou 1901-1991, which served as an introduction to the exhibition as well as documenting the archive.
-These negatives, which the artists use as raw material, provide an insight into Sergis’ future direction and are clearly evident here. There are two different yet related aspects of imagery.
The bulk of the work here is a group of works where Adamos has eliminated, and in one case completely removed, the moisture-damaged textures on the periphery of the negatives, focusing solely on figurative elements, randomly superimposed on each other. These superimpositions are almost imperceptible unless the works are studied carefully. Then, and only then, will one become aware of singular, dual, and multiple clothed abstracted figures.
One cannot fail to be impressed by Sergis’ remarkable talent. Employing the last 25 years of digital technology, Adamos has accumulated many skills. His ability to introduce what best can be described as "new pointillism" recalls Seurat for one. Additionally, in the lighting one senses Vermeer's presence, chiaroscuri like that of Rembrandt, compositions similar to Cezanne's, textures employed by Gustav Klimt, and emotions akin to Van Gogh.
I know Adamos was unaware of such similarities. It occurred naturally and spontaneously, as so often it does with creative artists' vision at play. Taking all of this into consideration, this is a remarkable exhibition and a stepping stone toward exposure on an international platform.-
Professor Maurice Kahn
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem
Metamorphosis 1/1 - 2022
By rejecting the limitations of traditional categorization, these pieces of art emerge as testaments to uniqueness. They are the lone travelers, celebrating their uniqueness and resisting any appearance of similarity.
Almost Vanished Friends
The first six of the 40 characters, each with their new identities, were introduced at the exhibition.
Strangers Forever
I showcased "Strangers Forever" at my exhibition in Athens in September 2022, with 10 of the pieces on display for visitors to see. This collection consists of artworks created from a damaged glass negative plate archive discovered abandoned in poor condition. Created by Spyros Haritou 1901-1991, in Paphos, Cyprus, the archive dates back to the early 1900s. In the digital age, reviving historical plates and bringing them to life through art is truly powerful.
