The group exhibition “Black & White” explores monochrome as a field of aesthetic and conceptual exploration (Black and White), which opens on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Kalamata Dance Hall (Black Box Hall, 12 p.m.).

The exhibition, curated by Artemis Potamianou, is organized by the Visual Arts Department of the Municipality of Kalamata, under the direction of Panagiotis Lambrinidis. It features works by 33 Greek and foreign artists who focus exclusively on black and white.

Nikos Alexiou, Curtain, paper, thread, reed, 100 x 85 cm, no. 2.253, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery

It is a multidimensional conversation about the limits of the color spectrum, where painters, sculptors, and engravers from different generations and countries come together around the concept of contrast—not only as an aesthetic choice, but also as a tool for dialogue. In the works presented, the creators stand at the extremes of the color palette to emphasize complexity, difference, and contrast, creating a space where the viewer is invited to explore questions about the body, nature, gender, society, and artistic practice itself.

The artists in the exhibition essentially do what mythmakers do: they start from a basic dichotomy (black/white, nature/culture, representation/abstraction) and use it to explore the much more complex field of their visual practice, drawing on constants familiar to the collective subconscious.

George Lazogas, Female Body, spray on canvas, 180 x 110, no. 355, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery

“Art is not just an aesthetic phenomenon that concerns art lovers and experts. It is an act of reflection, a vehicle for ideas, an invitation to a new way of thinking and coexisting. And this exhibition proves that, even through the simplest of materials—black and white—we can draw strength, hope, and inspiration for the future,” notes the Mayor of Kalamata, Athanasios Vassilopoulos.

Artemis Potamianou states in her curatorial note:
“The artists in the ‘Black & White’ exhibition, starting from themes such as home, the environment, the human condition, women’s issues, representation (Nature/Culture/Writing according to Derrida or Nature/Culture, Life/Death, Male/Female, Black/White according to Lévi-Strauss), raise questions, denounce practices, and highlight the traces of existence, meaning, and artistic practice.”

The Black Box space presents works by (in alphabetical order):
Nikos Alexiou, Angelos Antonopoulos, Terry Atkinson, Guerrilla Girls, Giorgos Gyparakis, Vangelis Dimitrea, Bella Easton, Nikos Engonopoulos, Nikos Exarchos, Giorgos Lazongas, Panagiotis Lambrinidis, Yannis Lasithiotakis, Boris Lafargue, Mariano and Dennis Kapourani, Vaso Katraki, Nikos Kessanlis, Irini Bechlizanaki, Takashi Murakami, Mj Tom of LosOtros, Dimitris Mitas, Yoko Ono, Nikos Papadopoulos, Artemis Potamianou, Giorgos Sikeliotis, Takis, A. Tassos (Anastasios Alevisos), Mark Titchner, Tassos Triantafyllou, Yannis Tsarouchis, Kostas Tsoclis, Giorgos Harvalis, Vangelis Hatzis, and Dionysis Christofilogiannis.

George Sikelotis, Village in Wales, 1971-75, engraving, 75 x 106 cm, no. 1217, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery

“We want to bring the city’s audience into contact with both the most daring and experimental directions in visual arts—aspects that are rarely encountered—and the work of important artists who have left their mark on the field. This year, the Visual Arts Department is taking a step further, presenting an exhibition that attempts to transport the visual arts into the realm of ideas and critical thinking. It is a proposal that seeks, above all, to encourage viewers to reflect, to generate thoughts and reactions. It is a pioneering and groundbreaking exhibition that combines boldness and high artistic quality,” notes Panagiotis Lambrinidis, Director of the Visual Arts Department of the K.E. “Faros” of the Municipality of Kalamata.

The visual arts event is organized by the Public Benefit Organization “Faris” of the Municipality of Kalamata, with the assistance of the George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery, the Polly and Christos Kollialis Contemporary Art Collection, Dimitris Lymberopoulos, and all participating artists.

The Georgios and Victoria Karelia Foundation made a significant contribution to the financing of the exhibition.

Nikos Exarchos, Theophilos, 2015, 3/7, construction, 87 x 50 x 80 cm, no. 4.206, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery

Information

Exhibition: «Black & White» 
The Artists: Nikos Alexiou, Angelos Antonopoulos, Terry Atkinson, Guerrilla Girls, Giorgos Gyparakis, Vangelis Dimitrea, Bella Easton, Nikos Engonopoulos, Nikos Exarchos, Giorgos Lazongas, Panagiotis Lambrinidis, Yannis Lasithiotakis, Boris Lafargue, Mariano and Dennis Kapourani, Vaso Katraki, Nikos Kessanlis, Irini Bechlizanaki, Takashi Murakami, Mj Tom of LosOtros, Dimitris Mitas, Yoko Ono, Nikos Papadopoulos, Artemis Potamianou, Giorgos Sikeliotis, Takis, A. Tassos (Anastasios Alevisos), Mark Titchner, Tassos Triantafyllou, Yannis Tsarouchis, Kostas Tsoclis, Giorgos Harvalis, Vangelis Hatzis, and Dionysis Christofilogiannis.
Opening: Sunday 26 October 2025, at 12:00
Venue: Kalamata Dance Hall – Black Box Hall
Duration:till 17 November 2025
Artistic Director: Panagiotis Lambrinidis
Organized by: Visual Arts Department of the Municipality of Kalamata
Curator: Artemis Potamianou