The notebook of Dromokaitio
Akrithakis Alexis (1939-1994)
1993 | 26.5 x 20.5 cm
61 photocopies of drawings, ink on paper
Museum of Contemporary Art
MCA.MMCA.C98
Donation of Fofi Akrithaki
ARTWORK DETAILS
Type: Drawing
Subject: Human figure, Contemporary art
Art techniques: Drawing/ Sketch
ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
The "Notebook of the Dromokaiteion" consisting of 61 photocopied drawings, represents a significant moment in the overall artistic creation of the artist and possibly his most personal. These years were among the most critical, as he spent them at Dromokaiteion due to health issues and the ups and downs of his detoxification process. Despite the general decline in his health, Akrithakis did not cease his artistic activity. On the contrary, the unique conditions of confinement, isolation and cohabitation fuelled his distinctive creative expression. While hospitalized, he created 61 drawings, portraits of the inmates of the institution he interacted with daily. The forms are captured in a kind of almost impulsive drawing, where shapes, straight and curved lines, are reproduced and multiplied. The exact moments or conditions under which these drawings were created are not known, but it is known that this notebook, which he always kept with him, was stolen shortly before his death. However, he had ensured that they were photocopied earlier.
CREATOR
Alexis Akrithakis was born in 1939 in Athens. In 1958, he moved to Paris, where he studied and came into contact with personalities such as Alberto Giacometti and Jean Seberg. He returned to Greece in 1960 and began his exhibition activity, while at the same time, he made illustrations, drew covers and sets for experimental performances, and developed his characteristic black and white "chiki chiki" script, which dominates the works of this period. In 1968, with a scholarship from the Academic Exchange Service, he travelled to Berlin, where he created a significant body of artwork. His pieces incorporated various motifs, such as aeroplanes, arrows, hearts, suitcases, etc., which played a substantial role in his artwork. He returned to Greece permanently in 1984 in poor health, which is reflected in his painting, which is more melancholic and sarcastic. During his hospitalization at Dromokaiteio Hospital, he created " Notebook of the Dromokaiteion". He passed away in Athens in 1994.