HOMO LUDENS – PLAYFUL MAN | ATHENS 2016

About This Project

Installation in space with everyday toys and other sui-generis improvised objects, a detournement of a journal with the technique of collage, as well as a performative action during the inauguration of the exhibition “Joy”, curated by Dimitris Halatsis for the Festival Back to Athens 2016. Space of Ypsilon Publications, 15 Tzavela st., Exarcheia, Athens.

Keywords and terms: children’s play, joy, fun, pace, pointless, diversion/ownership, compassion

The beginning for doing this work is the observation on a child’s game. The recognition of space through play, the rhythm of its movement, as well as the paradoxical use of multiple objects – all of them daily movements of an infant- assembles to artistic actions and installations. The only truth for the child, however, is the pleasure of the very Merry, the joyous situation at that time.

According to the philosopher Johan Huizinga: … “So far so good, but what actually is the fun of playing? Why does the baby crow with pleasure? Why does the gambler lose himself in his passion? Why is a huge crowd roused to frenzy by a football match?”… “Since the reality of play extends beyond the sphere of human life it cannot have its foundations in any rational nexus, because this would limit it to mankind.” … “Play, we began by saying, lies outside morals. In itself it is neither good nor bad.”…

So, I choose different daily activities of a 2 years old child, as well as plenty of objects it uses in these actions, and I transfer all in the showroom. I then make a performative action to present the use of objects I have installed on the site. In this way the visitors will be presented the playful and rather pointless of an artistic act. In parallel, I change an afternoon newspaper making collage and making fun of topical political issues, using photographs of the same infant.