22.7-5.9.2010

Carte Blanche

Concept : Charalambos Dermatis

From the beginning, man sketched and recorded his hope, anxiety, fear or glory. The drawings of our ancestors in the caves of Altamira, the message of a shipwreck delivered in a bottle, the shape of a heart, the engraved initials of lovers, drawings on student bags, prisoner’s diary, political banners, il-legal graffiti, curse words written on bathroom walls of cafe-bars; means of expression that manifest a common motive.

What really motivates us to mark, else leave our personal signature at some point of our lives? One needs a declaration of his/her own existence. But is it at all times possible, legitimate, free? Even the personal right to vote is somehow predefined and is a process much less imaginative than writing a letter to Santa Claus. Fortunately or unfortunately, however, Santa Claus does not exist to receive our drawings, dreams, desires, our beliefs, our outbursts. So what!

To begin on July 22nd until September 5th at the TAF art gallery is "Carte Blanche", an installation in progress created by the visitors based on the 'blank' surrendering of the gallery space to all those who wish to participate. Everyone is welcome to create a work-message.

Isolate yourself in the specially constructed booth and leave your mark on a blank paper. Draw, write, wish, ridicule, idolize, condemn and submit your own personal statement-vote, as many times as you like. Anonymous or not. At the end of each day, the envelopes are opened and your personal "work" will be displayed on the walls of the gallery -next and equally to "works" created by known and unacknowledged ones. The participation of the audience in the installation configures a field of exploration and play, forming an open-ended project. The ultimate purpose of such a happening is the recording of the present, the emergence of dialogue, diversity and uniqueness. Without discrimination, without conditions, without limits. Carte blanche.