On the occasion of the call of the art exhibition ”first flag” curated by Iris Kritikou on June 2021 in Moni Eyaggelistrias in Skiathos , the artists were invited to offer multiple and diverse readings and interpretations of the Greek Flag. What is more? Moni Eyaggelistrias was the first ever venue where the idea of a National flag was conceived and where took place the construction of the first blue and white flag of the Revolution and of course the raising of it in 1807 during the local uprising on the island, one of many that preceded the revolution of 1821 ! That is why this Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in Skiathos, is being considered crucial for the history of Greece and this call to implement this project was an honor!
White stripes in the shape of a cross on a blue background, this image describes the first ever Greek flag. Orthodox Faith had always played the most important role for the morale of Greeks, as another strength and resistance booster during wars and sufferings. Personally i chose to hold the cross composition and to enrich it with images and symbols of endeavour . I started to construct individual images, intended to convey, together with the viewer’s imagination, how ineffable and elusive the concept of freedom and self-determination is in times of confinement and slavery. I also include some images that some of them can even function as standalone works and which take part in the construction of the final composition for the flag. Ι wanted to become more descriptive and literal. Usually in my artworks can be found a crew of protagonists that rise because of a specific project or need and then remain in the troupe of new symbols so that can ”play again” in some other visual performance-work. For instance, the crossing escalators, that stand as another cross. People use escalators to come and go , can be an evolving symbol , unless you come and go to the same source -”fountain” without awake different parts of yourself.
In many silk scarf photoshootings i photograph people i know or meet by chance and happen to like and admire for what they are and bring in life equation. Isavella is one of these eartly divine creatures, daughter of a very dear friends. She studies medicine among so many different subjects she could have possibly dedicated herself. Besides her divine beauty , grace and intelligence, she is creatively concerned about what is happening around the world and how affects the everyday life. A young empowering woman who has inspired me ,as another Brigit, to hold anything worth keeping as a flag in our lives!