ПОСОЛЬСТВО ГРЕЦИИ В МОСКВЕ
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
CONTACT: Dora Ziongas doraziongas@gmail.com
RETROSPECTIVE SOLO EXHIBITION OF THE EMINENT SCULPTOR, NIKOS FLOROS AT THE “TSARITSYNO STATE MUSEUM AND RESERVE IN MOSCOW From September 5th 2013 through March 2, 2014, art lovers in Moscow will have the opportunity to travel to the surrealist world of the artist Nikos Floros and be as captivated by his incredibly original creations as have so many other art lovers around the world. The Tsaritsyno State Museum and Reserve in Moscow is hosting a major retrospective exhibition of this internationally recognized sculptor of Hellenic descent. Exhibited in the Hall of the Tsaryna are these unique sculptural costumes created from recycled aluminum. This original method was created and patented by Nikos Floros in 2003. Commenting on his artwork, Nikos Floros said: "I wanted to do something with consumable products, because I believe our modern temples today are supermarkets and malls, where you feel you exist, in other words, "I consume therefore I exist" People use to ask, what kind of art is this? Aristotelis Karantis, exclusive Curator of Nikos Floros, around the world give his answer :” You can say that this is surrealism or pop art or minimalism, but no this is FLOROSART and he is one of the kind!” The opening reception, held on September 5, 2013 at the Museum, was attended by representatives of the cultural, diplomatic, scientific and business worlds of Muscovite society including the Consul General of Greece, Honorable Ioannis Plotas, the General Director of the Tsaritsyno Museum and Reserve, Ms. Olga Dokuchaeva, Director of the Hellenic Cultural Center of Moscow, Ms. Theodora Giannitsi and the General Director of Fix Hellenic Breweries, Mr. Ioannis Hitos along with many, many others who were enthralled by Nikos Floros, exquisite sculptures. The Gold Sponsor of this event is the Hellenic Brewery FIX Hellas which is celebrating its 150 th year anniversary. The artist, Nikos Floros, has created a sculpture specifically commemorating this anniversary. The sculptural costume “Violetta” inspired by the opera diva Maria Callas was presented for the first time at this exhibition’s opening reception on September 5 th.
The exhibition is under the auspices of the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Culture and Athletics, the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Tourism and with the support of the Embassy of Greece in Moscow as well as the Hellenic Cultural Center of Moscow. During this very difficult period of time for Greece, art can be a true and shining example of the Hellenic spirit and culture projected around the world through the work of artists such as Nikos Floros; they can serve as the best and most appropriate international “ambassadors” of Hellenism. “My art and this exhibition can be a bridge between the cultures of Russia and Hellas,” stated Mr. Floros at the opening reception. After completion of the exhibition in Moscow, the exhibition will travel to the Museum of the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg where it will be on display for one month beginning March 6, 2014. This exhibition entitled “Tribute to Maria Callas and Grace Kelly” includes the sculptural costumes inspired by these exceptional women. Created from recycled aluminum cans, these surrealist pop-art creations have been exhibited around the world including Monte Carlo, Monaco under the auspices of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Club in New York City, among many others. Nikos Floros’ sculptural costumes are in museums and private collections around the world and as Aristotelis Karantis (curator) said “Tsaritsino Museum of Morscow is one of the best for this kind of Art “FlorosArt” but a big challenge for me too !”. Nikos Floros utilizes materials from our everyday lives which he transforms into magnificent original works of art. A major inspiration for him has been the lives of extraordinary women such as Queen Elizabeth I, Katherine the Great, Maria Callas and Grace Kelly. These women themselves have been transformative figures who have inspired many others. Nikos Floros has been inspired by them and created moving tributes to their art, their lives, their spirits and their legacies. Nikos Floros was recognized for his talent and originality early in his career. One of his first sculptural costumes, "Silver Elizabeth I" received the first prize at the Young Friends Heritage Society in New York City. Following that, in 2003, he took part in «Save Venice Benefit Gala", in New York, presenting two costumes, "Gold Elizabeth Coronation" and "Black Marie de Medici". The following year at the same event, he presented "Red Elizabeth", created from 2,004 Coca Cola cans knitted into fabric and was awarded the first prize which was presented by Harold Koda, curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Αrt Costume Institute. This was followed by an incredible burst of creativity culminating in Nikos Floros moving tribute to Maria Callas on the 30 th anniversary of her death. One of the major highlights of his career, this collection included 14 major sculptural costumes evoking the passionate spirit of La Divina. The red Tosca, the green Rosina (from the Barber of Seville), the multicolored Madama Butterfly, were just a few examples of these shimmering flowing sculptures inspired by the costumes worn by this great opera diva during her illustrious career. After their initial exhibition in Athens in 2007, during the special tribute to Maria Callas, they travelled to Thessaloniki as part of the annual Dimitria Cultural
Festival. Among others, this collection has graced the majestic halls of Hofbug Palace, and the Opernhause in Vienna, Austria as well as the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes, Greece. Presently, Nikos Floros was invited by the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy to present a solo exhibition commemorating their 250th anniversary. The artwork of two creative and talented Hellenes have been presented at this, one of the oldest and most distinguished opera houses in the world, Maria Callas and Nikos Floros. Continuing his work inspired by extraordinary women, Nikos Floros was invited for a solo exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts with his special tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco on the 30th anniversary of her untimely death. The centerpiece and highlight of this exhibit was a spectacular sculpture inspired by the beautiful wedding dress worn by Grace Kelly for her fairy tale wedding to Prince Rainer of Monaco. This exhibition was later presented in Monte Carlo, Monaco during the international event, Grace: Symbol of Change, followed by a solo exhibition at the Metropole Palace. Nikos Floros’ work has received worldwide recognition and has been covered by major news services such as Reuters, BBC, Sky News, ABC News, New York Times, Vogue, W, Associated Press, Fashion TV and many other news and television channels throughout the world. Nikos Floros was recognized for his contributions to the arts and was awarded the Golden medal of Arts and Sciences, Albert Schweitzer Foundation in Vienna, Austria 2011 Curators of the Exhibition are: Angela Dikeoulia Aristotelis Karantis Photos: Elias Diamantakos
The Artist: Nikos Floros was born in Hellas. He grew up in Athens and has lived and worked in several major cities around the world. He studied at the School of Fine Arts (Ecole des Beaux Arts) in Paris as well as classical piano and classical theater in Greece Nikos Floros’ is an award-winning, extremely prolific and creative artist who has gained worldwide recognition for his artwork. His sculptures are unique and original designs utilizing recycled materials such as aluminum cans which he transforms into fabric-like material used to create unique sculptural costumes. This method was created and patented by Nikos Floros in 2003.