“Psychogeographies” – Art exhibition by Frédéric Bootz – Panos Charalambous

As noted by the Art Historian, Constantinos Basios in his text regarding the exhibition entitled:”Gia tis elloges eikones”

The paths in life followed by artists are not easily intersected. They can, however, waver slightly in an attempt to meet. An event such as today’s, gives the opportunity to all, meaning the public and also to the artists themselves, for a meeting of essence which will arguably put our expectations, curiosity and prejudices to the test.

Two people, on different courses, each with his own individual life and education experience, are cross-exposed and position-altered through their art. And although this is not a calculated approach which may have been aiming to highlight the common or non-common elements, nonetheless in an obscure and latent manner as such is suggested.

Works from previous years and as such previous eras, which were created almost at the same times, inspired by entirely different occasions and under differing styles manage to provoke analogous and almost identical reactions, thoughts and above all emotions.

The encounter between all these works that we now have at our disposal is an offer of a philosophical composition, which, although incomplete, may be concluded individually according to whatever one has absorbed from the propinquity of the exhibits.

This exhibition does not demand validation, nor does it suggest at rigid and conventional understanding and interpretation of the exhibits.

It does, however, constitute a form of common proof that the need for expression and communication of our essential nature belongs to us all, whether we be artists or spectators.

So let this exhibition be an opportunity to overcome the classic techno-critical segregations: how a conceptually constructed group of paintings by the Greek artist, Panos Charalambous could become a landscape, and how a calm landscape by the French artist, Frédéric Bootz, could take the place of a meditated statement.

Because it is after all, thought, through cultural understanding, which allows this type of transgression which will bring about a fusion far more fertile than ever imagined.

* Panos Charalambous is a professor and president of the Department of Visual Arts at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
** Frédéric Bootz is a French painter and sculptor working between Greece and France.