Myrsini Artakianou and Stéphane Clor intertwine their work to construct seemingly weightless environments, combining fragile and solid materials. Organic forms, clean-cut shapes and light syntheses create a unique atmosphere, which may feel both welcoming and bizarre at times.
The influence of minimalism is evident in both artists’ oeuvre, and so is nature’s dominant role. Simplicity is key here, and in most works there are as few colors as possible, in order to enhance this sense of elegance. There are no fussy structures, no jabbering and nothing more than what’s needed. The materials are versatile, but their presentation remains plain and clean. Their placement, however, may result in interesting illusions regarding the texture of each item, which may vary depending on the point of view. Light, soft, or vulnerable objects compose larger cohesive solid structures, turning from single fragmented elements, into distinct shapes that define space.
The two artists seem to share a common aesthetic vision, the roots of which can be traced to Eva Hesse’s oeuvre. Artakianou also incorporates Louise Bourgeois’s ideas and her own remarks on gender issues, while Clor is further inspired by land artists like Richard Serra, simultaneously exploring the power of sound. Thus, their works often create a flow stream, where imaginary (or actual) lines produce new shapes or areas in space. This is especially the case with thread or thin wire, which both artists use, but in different ways and with inverted results. On the one hand, Artakianou wishes to create a single indissoluble form (or elements of it) by using large amounts of thread, or other times by imitating its texture graphically. On the other hand, Clor aims to define and delimit space with the fewer lines, using thin wire as a building material for visual creations with sonic aspects.

Despite this multilayered combination, the lightness of the overall outcome prevails. The artworks maintain their autonomy, when at the same time they can be perceived as an undivided entity. Diverse forms take over the whole space, leading to a flux, unexpected, yet powerful result.

Elli Leventaki
Art historian/Curator
Independent researcher