Alexandros Vasmoulakis visits through his new work the period between renaissance and late 19th century art in order to comment on how woman was treated by the masculine glance and desire.
Inspired by Bouguereau, Botticelli, Titian, Etty and others he argues against the model of woman-object, against the image of a woman being the coveted fruit from a financial paradise.
The artist’s cornerstone is nudity. The nude that once was the absolute expression of faith to human spirit.
This same nude that was confined to the satisfaction a man’s gaze. The Aphrodites, Helens and all kinds of “virgins” of Alexandros Vasmoulakis disclose their body to confirm that nude is stronger than naked, that beauty is objective and not ordered, that a body without clothes is enough to bring out the nature and the spirit of a beauty’s character.
Every female figure of Vasmoulakis’ exhibition has a name and a past. She is delivered from the passivity, which the male-buyer imposed on her and she is now claiming a face, which speechlessly describes in details a vigorous personality. She presents herself as she wishes and through an arrogant and come-hither look she asks of the audience. She is demanding the role that either way belongs to her by nature and in her “defenseless” nudity puts forward the map of the game and outlines its rules.
Man enters this game deprived of his basic advantage, his physical strength. All that is left of him is a bodiless face.
He shows off his manhood with an old fashioned moustache and his obedience to this new female world with his smile.
Alexandros Vasmoulakis, a frequent visitor of the man-woman temple of relationship,
sometimes violent and impetuous, sometimes with faith and respect, with tenderness
and always with his profound and radical sarcasm, this time grimes the sanctified
paintings, he genuflects devoutly before them or repaints them, creating organic
palimpsests ready to go on a new war – or love.
Through the bright smile of his figures, the artist articulates clearly his basic idea - the bliss to be vivid, thriving and free.
Solo exhibition
February 15 - March 24, 2011
a.antonopoulou.art 20 aristofanous st. 4th floor psyrri 10554 Athens
info@aaart.gr - www.aaart.gr
