Antonis Pittas
dal 3/7/2009 al 24/8/2009
Segnalato da
3/7/2009
Antonis Pittas
Smart Project Space, Amsterdam
Untitled ( ). His work is a meditation on the subjective experience of time and the manner in which particular spaces become sites for personal stories or larger histories. Pittas monumental piece is rhythmic and elegant and based on a sensitive investigation of a distinct architectural setting and its social surroundings. The centre of the installation is an impressive 9.1 meter long panoramic drawing, composed from countless vertical pencil lines.
Untitled ( ) is an exhibition and publication by Antonis Pittas (GR/NL). His work is a meditation
on the subjective experience of time and the manner in which particular spaces become sites for
personal stories or larger histories.
Pittas monumental piece is rhythmic and elegant and based on a sensitive investigation of a distinct
architectural setting and its social surroundings. The centre of the installation is an impressive 9.1 meter
long and 2.2 meter high panoramic ‘drawing’, composed over a 3 month period from countless vertical
pencil lines. Pittas created this complex, architectural installation in a performative manner, deciding to
abandon the confines of his studio, slowly and meticulously realising his drawing in front of his visitors
over an extensive period of time. Focusing on art history and the interplay between medium and
mediation, Pittas’ folly is the creation of ‘the story of art’ itself.
The work creates an exciting interplay
between traditional means and references, such as drawing, and Abstract Expressionism, and posits the
effect that temporal experience and media have on them and their reception. The work instigates an ironic
game between the ‘pure’ gesture of the artist and the repetitive, time consuming work of the craftsman,
thrown open to the public to bear witness to the creation of the work.
The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Untitled ( ), and offers essays written by Jennifer
Steetskamp and Steven ten Thije and designed by Our Polite Society, published by SMART Project
Space and distributed by Idea Books. The publication has been made possible with the generous support
of the Netherlands fund for the Arts, Design and Architecture.
Antonis Pittas (b. Athene, 1973) lives and works in Amsterdam. His recent exhibitions include
Untitled ( ), Pompgemaal Den Helder, NL, 2009 (solo); Bargain prices on elephant Gun, Ilean Tounta
Contemporary Art Centre, Athens, GR, 2008; People, Margaris Foundation, Amfilochia, GR, 2008; Into the pill,
Parallel plan art-athina 08, Athens, GR, 2008; 8,83 x 7,20 - Zaal 5, Filmhuis Den Haag, NL (solo), 2007; Emergency
Room - Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre, GR, 2007;Two velvet years - Bios, Athens, GR, 2007; 5rooms -
Kapatos Gallery, Athens, GR, 2007.
SMART Project Space is kindly supported by the Mondriaan Foundation, Gemeente Amsterdam, Bureau Broedplaatsen, Stichting
DOEN, The Netherlands Film Fund, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, VSBfonds, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts; Netherlands fund for the
Arts, Design and Architecture
Opening Saturday 4 July 2009, 17.00 hrs
Smart Project Space
Arie Biemondstraat 105-113 - Amsterdam