Tribute to El Greco by Nikos Floros

"From December 3, 2014 through January 15, 2014 ... one of the largest and most significant museums, the State Museum of St. Isaak Cathedral in St. Petersburg will host the exhibition of new works by the world renown Hellenic sculptor, Nikos Floros ..." - reported official press release.

And further - " Utilizing a unique technique created by Mr. Floros, he uses tiny mosaics of recycled aluminum to reinterpret two major and well-known works of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, “The Disrobing of Christ” and “The Resurrection of Christ”.

Nikos Floros commented that the invitation he received from Russia to commerate the 400 year anniversary of the death of this most significant Hellenic painter, Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) was a great honor but also a great challenge since these sculptural paintings honor El Greco while also expressing a great respect and reverence toward the image of Jesus Christ."

“This marks the first time my work has gone on display inside a religious monument which is also a church, a place where people come to pray. It’s an almost metaphysical sensation,” the 44-year-old artist told Kathimerini English Edition. “You have a particular responsibility when presenting a figure which is not only very familiar, but a symbol through which people express themselves.”

Meanwhile, December days are short in Saint Petersburg, the former imperial city which was renamed thrice in the space of a century and survived a 872-day Nazi siege. Saint Isaac’s own history reflects the city’s turbulent past: Designed by French architect Auguste de Montferrand, the building’s construction began in 1818 and ended 40 years later. In 1931 the cathedral was named the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism and following the fall of the Soviet regime worship resumed in the left-hand side chapel. The main part of the cathedral is only used for special services.

Links for home reading:

• SCULPTOR WEAVES MAGIC FROM REFUSE, article by Lana Matafonov, March 12, 2014 (Issue # 1801), The St. Petersburg Times

• El Greco-inspired, metal sculptures in Russia, article by Elis Kiss, December 17, 2014, http://www.ekathimerini.com

• Tribute to El Greco. Sculptured paintings by Nikos Floros. Greece, article by Marai Georgousi, November 25, 2014

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