_{Image courtesy of Christina Michalopoulou}

Interview: Christina Michalopoulou

Luca Curci talks with Christina Michalopoulou during THE BODY LANGUAGE 2019 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Christina Michalopoulou returned to painting after a long hiatus. It would seem that I was gathering images and shapes during that time. I was building an unconscious archive that lived somewhere underneath my breath. They are all now pouring out, unstoppable, in acrylic and oil, in abstraction and hyperreal figuration, in blossoming color and start monochrome. In my real time, I live through tubes of acrylic paint, large canvas surfaces, tones of tea and a catenation of Adagios and Arias. In non-real time, I raise my kid, I live a happy family life, I paint for a living and I try to confront my fears and insecurities. I have studied Art at Ergastiri School of Arts under mr G.I.Christopoulos (Thessaloniki, 1993) & Psarakis School of Arts, drawing & color technics, (Thessaloniki, 1990). I have participated in many Art exhibitions in Greece and abroad.

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_{Image courtesy of Christina Michalopoulou}

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Luca Curci – Which subject are you working on?
Christina Michalopoulou – For the time being, I seem to experiment in creating a dialogue between photorealistic body parts and non-realistic forms of nature, pop objects and fictional places. To structure a game between the real and the non-real, a contrast between the importance of the figure and the lightness of her environment.

LC – What is art for you?
CM – Art is the way I tolerate reality, I grow older, I face my fears

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
CM – It’s hard. Too many distractions, too much commercialization.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
CM – Everything is challenging in creating art, a constant battle to filter the expectations, to express the inner thoughts, to try not to lose yourself in it.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in the society? And the contemporary art?
CM – The art, contemporary or not, has always been a medium of expression for the society. A way to underline, sometimes even scream, the needs, the fears, the way things ought or tend to be.

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_{Image courtesy of Christina Michalopoulou}

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LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
CM – The body language is a deeply personal, yet socio-political matter in art, reflecting the artist’s inner world but also a posture of the society. So, I guess it is a very interesting, contemporary theme, giving opportunities to different voices to be heard.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? In which way did it inspire you?
CM – I have always been interested in the body forms and expressions, my work is figurative, so the festival is an inspiring environment to fit in and also a great opportunity to communicate and interact with other artists.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
CM – I think that it’s an active organization, offering interesting opportunities to young artists.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
CM – Yes, I would, I was pleased with my participation. Maybe there should be a pre-event just for the artists taking part, in order to cultivate linking, and some feedback during the exhibition in order to keep in touch with the artist, but everything else was very organized.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
CM – Yes, I do.