beauty temple

site-specific installation in Stoa 42, Panepistimiou 42, Athens

mixed materials, dimensions variable

05 - 27.01.2019

δέηση./ αινώς αθανάτησι θεής εις ώπα έοικεν/ φρικτά με τις αθάνατες θεές μοιάζει στην όψη.

η ομορφιά θα σώσει τον κόσμο/ η ομορφιά θα πρέπει να σώσει τον κόσμο/ αχ. ας σώσει η ομορφιά τον κόσμο

με μυστήριο υπέρ./ δέομαι. εγώ/ άκου. εσύ/ και δέξου. δέηση.

The art installation Beauty Temple, a common work by Eriphyli Veneri and Naira Stergiou, is composed in different sculptures, devoted to the Sanctity of Beauty. The invocation of the beautiful-Beautiful, the demonization of the horrible-Beautiful and the desire of the unattainable-Beautiful mutate into tangible entities and acquire materiality through flexible imitations of leather, shiny pearls, golden coins, along with materials for memorials, colorful butterflies and incense. The aesthetic objects of the installation, arranged in a ritualistic narration, display their double qualities as literal objects and as significant marks or fetish objects. Ritualistic references with metaphysical powers for the release of agony and the fulfillment of deeper inner wishes, longings, cravings, desires. 

Toiletries and jewellery, crowns and gloves that cannot be worn are dedicated; offerings, prayers, spells, ex-votos, sacrifices. In the Temple of Beauty the Goddess stands and awaits. Demanding.