Artists residency & exhibition
Date
Ongoing Exhibition
Contemporary ceramics with a view to Keros
Starting from the cultural heritage of the small Cyclades and the recent archeological discoveries on the islands of Keros and Daskalio, Sealed Earth Ceramic Art Studio and Gallery was inspired to create the Big Blue Dot, a 10-day artistic residency in Koufonisia and a public art installation, which would communicate with the heritage and history of Keros and Daskalio and the wider area of Koufonisia and would enhance the cultural activity of the island.
During the 10-day residency in Ano Koufonisi (29/4/2022 to 9/5/2022), the 12 participating artists, ceramists, and visual artists came in contact with the area’s archaeological heritage. They discovered in depth the history, traditions, and events on the islands of Keros, Daskalio and Koufonisia. Inspiration from the site and its history accompanied them throughout their stay on the island and played a significant role in influencing their creations.
The artists also presented a series of workshops to the locals to bring them in contact with the clay material and the processes of ceramics. The workshops “Make your own Cycladic game”, “Offerings – Ceramic bowl” and “Painting on tile” were very successful. The space of the workshop remained open to the locals throughout the ten days to visit it and see the process and the artistic practice of the participating artists closely, and the local community of Koufonisi indeed embraced with great warmth Big Blue Dot and the artists.
All artworks, contemporary ceramics and street art, created during the residency are exhibited now in an open-air art exhibition in various spots in Ano Koufonisi. An artistic path is created with sculptural objects and street art on display, connecting the port with Pori beach and you are all invited to walk it.
Big Blue Dot – Artist Residency
The exhibition will run throughout the summer season of 2022.
Participating artists (in alphabetical order):
Nikos Athanasopoulos, Ilias Christopoulos, Mara Desipris, Sotiris Fokeas, Andrew Hazewinkel, Charoula Koropouli, Nasia Pavlidou, Annie Riga, Loukia Thomopoulou, George Vavatsis, Leonie Yagdjoglou, Giannis Zois
Curated by Nikos Yfantis
Exhibition opening date: Saturday, June 11th, 2022
Location: Ano Koufonisi
Meeting point: Pori Beach at 19:00
Day 1
The journey of the Big Blue Dot has begun! ⛵
On the first day at Koufonisi, the artists had the opportunity to wander the island’s windy beaches, follow the path from the Port to Gala beach and feel the sun (and wind) of the Aegean. Nobody attempted a quick dive though 🤣
At night, the Community President of Koufonisi, Antonis Kovaios, warmly welcomed the participating artists to the island with a seafood feast.
We are so excited for the days to come!
Day 2
Someone once said that you can’t change the world without getting your hands dirty.
Artists rolled up their sleeves and already started working on clay on their second day at Koufonisi.
Day 3
Inspiration can come from everything 🌊
Day 4
Yesterday was the first of three seminars to be held during the Big Blue Dot, titled “Make your own Cycladic toy”.
We hope that the young visitors aged 6-12 enjoyed creating with clay in nature, as much as we enjoyed playing with them. 🗿
Two more two-hour seminars will follow in the next days – “Offerings – Ceramic Bowl” and “Painting on Tile” – for participants aged 13 and over.
DAY 5
The artists continue working on their pieces day and night. 🌙
Yesterday’s highlights was definitely the second seminar for the locals where participants engaged in shaping, designing and decorating ceramic bowls and the Raku firing later at night.
Watching how the fire illuminated the vases was absolutely mesmerising.
DAY 6
The first week of the Big Blue Dot went by so quickly! 🔥
The third seminar, ‘Painting on Tile’ was a success and everybody who attended seemed to have a really good time. The Big Blue Dot’s reception by the locals is so heartwarming, making us so happy!
Yesterday’s raku results were amazing, can’t wait for the next raku firing. Big thanks @bonis.kilns for the support!
DAY 7
Everybody’s is in a creative flow right now and fully immersed in art and we are so excited!
Yesterday the kids from the kindergarten visited us for a fun workshop and later we had a few familiar faces visiting from Athens.
Late night raku firings accompanied by dinners cooked by Loukia are an after dark ritual.
DAY 8
A long walk around the island with a view to Keros scouting for spots to place the artworks, the prehistoric steel barrel technique for firing and a huge thank you to the wonderful ladies of @politistikos_sullogos_keros for the wonderful dinner!
Another day of the Big Blue Dot.
DAY 8
Ηere comes the end of the 9-day residency of Big Blue Dot in Koufonisia and start the preparations for the open exhibition on the paths of the island that will be inaugurated on 11/6 and will last all summer 2022. 🔵
We would like to thank all participating artists for the wonderful moments we spent together, for the conversations, the dreams and the love we shared about ceramics.
Thinking of you @nikls___/, @vavatsisceramics, @leonitaki, @maradesipris, @into.ceramics_giannis.zois, @andrew_hazewinkel, @loukiathomopoulou, @haroulakoropouli, @nasia_pavlidou, @annieriga_, @soteur, @ilias.christopoulos.ceramist makes our hearts smile!
A big thank you also goes to the people of the island and especially the President of the Community of Koufonisia Mr. Antonis Kovaios, the Vice-president Mr. Yiannis Tagkoulis, for their help, the @politistikos_sullogos_keros for the wonderful meal and the warm smiles, the Koufonisia Tourist Business Association, and John Prasinos, Giorgos Christou and Costis Papadopoulos for their support.
We couldn’t be more grateful to the restaurants Αλμύρα και Πιοτό, Φως Φανάρι, Μέλισσα, Καπετάν Νικόλας for the delicious meals, the Dimitrios Katsanis Transport Company and the @bluestarferries.
Also @fotisvallatos, @ccaravatellis, @natkatigoudi and @george__rossi, @nycons for the contribution and the @project496dotcom team for their support.
A very special thank you to the sponsor of the Big Blue Dot, Starbulk Carriers Corp.
Starting from the cultural heritage of the small Cyclades and the recent archeological discoveries on the islands of Keros and Daskalio, Sealed Earth Ceramic Art Studio and Gallery was inspired to create the Big Blue Dot, a 10-day artistic residency in Koufonisia and a public art installation, which would communicate with the heritage and history of Keros and Daskalio and the wider area of Koufonisia and would enhance the cultural activity of the island.
During the 10-day residency in Ano Koufonisi (29/4/2022 to 9/5/2022), the 12 participating artists, ceramists, and visual artists came in contact with the area’s archaeological heritage. They discovered in depth the history, traditions, and events on the islands of Keros, Daskalio and Koufonisia. Inspiration from the site and its history accompanied them throughout their stay on the island and played a significant role in influencing their creations.
The artists also presented a series of workshops to the locals to bring them in contact with the clay material and the processes of ceramics. The workshops “Make your own Cycladic game”, “Offerings – Ceramic bowl” and “Painting on tile” were very successful. The space of the workshop remained open to the locals throughout the ten days to visit it and see the process and the artistic practice of the participating artists closely, and the local community of Koufonisi indeed embraced with great warmth Big Blue Dot and the artists.
All artworks, contemporary ceramics and street art, created during the residency are exhibited now in an open-air art exhibition in various spots in Ano Koufonisi. An artistic path is created with sculptural objects and street art on display, connecting the port with Pori beach and you are all invited to walk it.
The exhibition will run throughout the summer season of 2022.
Participating artists (in alphabetical order):
Nikos Athanasopoulos, Ilias Christopoulos, Mara Desipris, Sotiris Fokeas, Andrew Hazewinkel, Charoula Koropouli, Nasia Pavlidou, Annie Riga, Loukia Thomopoulou, George Vavatsis, Leonie Yagdjoglou, Giannis Zois
Curated by Nikos Yfantis
Exhibition opening date: Saturday, June 11th, 2022
Location: Ano Koufonisi
Meeting point: Pori Beach at 19:00
Note that all artworks are displayed outdoors and may be affected by human intervention and weather conditions.
Exhibition Map
Exhibited Αrtworks
The artworks of the Big Blue Dot open-air exhibition.
You can click to learn more about the artist and the item.
You can click to learn more about the artist and the item.
Participating Artists
Big Blue Dot Merchandise
If you’re looking for something fun to wear this summer, the Big Blue Dot tote bags and t-shirts are here!
Big Blue Dot Diary
The days of the residency
The journey of the Big Blue Dot has begun! ⛵
On the first day at Koufonisi, the artists had the opportunity to wander the island's windy beaches, follow the path from the Port to Gala beach and feel the sun (and wind) of the Aegean. Nobody attempted a quick dive though 🤣
At night, the Community President of Koufonisi, Antonis Kovaios, warmly welcomed the participating artists to the island with a seafood feast.
We are so excited for the days to come!
Someone once said that you can’t change the world without getting your hands dirty.
Artists rolled up their sleeves and already started working on clay on their second day at Koufonisi.
Yesterday was the first of three seminars to be held during the Big Blue Dot, titled "Make your own Cycladic toy”.
We hope that the young visitors aged 6-12 enjoyed creating with clay in nature, as much as we enjoyed playing with them. 🗿
Two more two-hour seminars will follow in the next days - “Offerings - Ceramic Bowl” and “Painting on Tile” - for participants aged 13 and over.
The artists continue working on their pieces day and night. 🌙
Yesterday’s highlights was definitely the second seminar for the locals where participants engaged in shaping, designing and decorating ceramic bowls and the Raku firing later at night.
Watching how the fire illuminated the vases was absolutely mesmerising.
The first week of the Big Blue Dot went by so quickly! 🔥
The third seminar, ‘Painting on Tile’ was a success and everybody who attended seemed to have a really good time. The Big Blue Dot’s reception by the locals is so heartwarming, making us so happy!
Yesterday’s raku results were amazing, can’t wait for the next raku firing. Big thanks @bonis.kilns for the support!
Everybody’s is in a creative flow right now and fully immersed in art and we are so excited!
Yesterday the kids from the kindergarten visited us for a fun workshop and later we had a few familiar faces visiting from Athens.
Late night raku firings accompanied by dinners cooked by Loukia are an after dark ritual.
A long walk around the island with a view to Keros scouting for spots to place the artworks, the prehistoric steel barrel technique for firing and a huge thank you to the wonderful ladies of @politistikos_sullogos_keros for the wonderful dinner!
Another day of the Big Blue Dot.
Ηere comes the end of the 9-day residency of Big Blue Dot in Koufonisia and start the preparations for the open exhibition on the paths of the island that will be inaugurated on 11/6 and will last all summer 2022. 🔵 We would like to thank all participating artists for the wonderful moments we spent together, for the conversations, the dreams and the love we shared about ceramics. Thinking of you @nikls___/, @vavatsisceramics, @leonitaki, @maradesipris, @into.ceramics_giannis.zois, @andrew_hazewinkel, @loukiathomopoulou, @haroulakoropouli, @nasia_pavlidou, @annieriga_, @soteur, @ilias.christopoulos.ceramist makes our hearts smile!
A big thank you also goes to the people of the island and especially the President of the Community of Koufonisia Mr. Antonis Kovaios, the Vice-president Mr. Yiannis Tagkoulis, for their help, the @politistikos_sullogos_keros for the wonderful meal and the warm smiles, the Koufonisia Tourist Business Association, and John Prasinos, Giorgos Christou and Costis Papadopoulos for their support. We couldn’t be more grateful to the restaurants Αλμύρα και Πιοτό, Φως Φανάρι, Μέλισσα, Καπετάν Νικόλας for the delicious meals, the Dimitrios Katsanis Transport Company and the @bluestarferries. Also @fotisvallatos, @ccaravatellis, @natkatigoudi and @george__rossi, @nycons for the contribution and the @project496dotcom team for their support. Big Blue Dot Sponsors
Great Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Sponsors
Supporters
Acknowledgments
Sealed Earth Ceramic Art Studio and Gallery would like to thank the people of the island and especially the President of the Community of Koufonisia Mr. Antonis Kovaios, the Vice-president Mr. Yiannis Tagkoulis, the Koufonisia Tourist Business Association, and John Prasinos, Giorgos Christou and Costis Papadopoulos for their help and support.