This summer, we were invited to take part in a great art project initiated by our friends from Galerist, as they have reached us to participate in this celebratory and vibrant creative process.
Galerist and Perasma proudly presented ‘Time is a Child’, a group exhibition that took place on the Island of Leros, Greece between the 9th and 30th of July 2023. This exhibition took its name from the words attributed to Heraclitus: “Time is a child playing draughts by the sea”, an expression defining his perception of the fleeting and ever-changing nature of time, the exhibition brings together works by artists who reflect on the ceaseless possibilities inherent to the concept of time.
The poem’s eloquent verses reflected on the scenes depicted on the urn, imagining the limitless potential experiences of the preserved figures, so long as they remain unrealized. Humans, mere transient passengers in this relentless journey called life, are but immobile images on the urn. The artworks served as a testament, the object becoming a homage to the enduring nature of all living and non-living beings.
Leros, one of the Dodecanese Islands, situated a short distance from the Turkish mainland, is intimately connected yet exudes a carefree pace, much like any island. It endured Italian occupation for decades and played a significant role during World War II.
The island’s architectural landscape, stands as a tangible reminder of its rich history, with memories intertwined around the columns, arches, walls, stones, sand, and the embracing waters. ‘Time is a Child’ unfolded along the modest shore of Koulouji Bay in Lakki, in and around a structure constructed in the 1930s by the Italian Navy for storing mines, now serving as the Nautical Club of Leros.
As part of the sponsors for this graceful exhibition, we designed pillows and cushions for the seating area for guests to take a breath and digest the enveloping beauty around them. We took inspiration from the island’s history, the tranquility surrounding us, and of course the ever-calming summer vibrations. We were very much moved by the solitude within the environment and wanted to host the guests harmoniously among the surrounding nature.
In our role as Ethnicloom, we had the privilege of designing the entire seating arrangement, complete with pillows and cushions, to harmonize with the entire venue. Drawing inspiration from Greece’s iconic whites and blues, we crafted a collection that featured aquamarines, gentle shades of blue, and tangerine accents, as well as natural tones of beige and off-white. These elements were interwoven into our creations, inviting both guests and art enthusiasts to pause and savor the ambiance.
Works included artists such as Alice Guittard, Ayça Telgeren, Burcu Yağcıoğlu, Elif Uras, Evgenia Vereli, Kostis Velonis, Lara Ögel, Malvina Panagiotidi, Maria Joannou, Martin Creed, Merve İşeri, Nazım Ünal Yılmaz, Nil Yalter, Nuri Kuzucan, Rashid al-Khalifa, Savvas Laz, Serkan Özkaya, Serra Duran, Silva Bingaz, Stefania Strouza, William Kentridge, Yeşim Akdeniz and Yusuf Sevinçli.
We took great pleasure in taking part in this ephemeral, eloquent, yet unforgettable exhibition and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others through Ethnicloom’s well-established, timeless design sensibility.