Exhibition “A History of Revolutions” at the Consulate General of Greece in New York

The opening of the exhibition entitled "A History of Revolutions" took place with great success on Wednesday, November 14th, at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, where 21 jewelry creators from Greece and the US unitewith original works inspired by past and present remnants of revolutions across the globe.

The artists drew inspiration mainly from the Greek Revolution of 1821, or from other revolutions that influenced their experience as citizens of a modern society.From the 1821 Revolution to the Industrial Revolution and the influence of Social Media,the artists focus on the interpretation and understanding of concepts related to nation, tradition, gender and reconciliation with the human body. Their aim is to critically connect the past with the present by drawing inspiration from historical objects, events or contemporary social issues.

Jewelry becomes the vehicle of material extension to consciously respond to, protest and express dimensions of the individuals, from two extraordinary communities. Artists elaborate on traditional forms of jewelry to express their art.Inthis exhibition works demonstrate innovation with the choice of unusual materials, techniques, and forms.

The idea for the exhibition was inspired by the historical periodic exhibition presented by the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum entitled "Form & Function, 200+200" in the year 2022, on the occasion of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution. That exhibition aimed at tracing the evolution of decorative and applied arts from the 15th to the 20th century, through the presentation of 500+ original relics from private and museum Greek collections.

In his welcome address at the opening of the exhibition, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Mr. Dinos Konstantinou, referring to a unique exhibition of its kind at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, shared his experience from his visit to the Elias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens, a legacy of the pioneer in the field of Jewelry making and an ambassador of cultural diplomacy, Ilias Lalaounis.

Ioanna Lalaounis, Director and Curator in Chief at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, went on to say that the creator of the Museum, Ilias Lalaounis, inspired by archaeological treasures and using modern innovative technology, paved the way for the international cultural journey of his jewelry making, as well as he provided new horizons for jewelry makers.

She also stressed that the Exhibition commemorates the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution, and that modern Greece has powerful ties with art communities around the world. She also noted that next year the Museum will celebrate 30 years since its creation, setting the stage for more meaningful projects that will impact the Greek and American art communities, constituting in the current era a silent peaceful protest.  

Finally, the President of the American Friends of the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, George Tsougarakis, referred to the importance of donations in order for the Museum to continue its unparalleled cultural work.

The opening was attended by a large number of people and artists from the American and Greek-American communities.