Costas Xanthis
Costas Xanthis was born in Thessaloniki where he currently resides. He was admitted to the Department of Visual and Applied Arts at the School of Fine Arts, AUTH (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), in the academic year 2018-2019, and graduated in 2023 from the Sculpture Faculty, with an Integrated Master with excellence and with distinction as Valedictorian, under the guidance of the professors: Aris Katsilakis, Zapphiria Athanasopoulou, George Pananakis, Maria Xalvatzi and George Liamadis. He is also a graduate of the Department of Theology at AUTH. Among the most important exhibitions with his participation are the Inspire Project 2023: Tension-Future Scenarios and Other Stories in Thessaloniki at Momus - Museum of Contemporary Art, Brande Biennale 2023 in Brande in Denmark, Ivan Kliun. Transcendent landscapes. Flying sculptures. Luminous spheres inThessaloniki at Momus - Museum of Modern Art - Kostakis Collection in 2021 and the Uncharted Places exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki in 2020.
Q&A
Artist Statement
“I create toy-like constructions of dubious nature in order to confront the viewer with superficial eutopias. My goal is to showcase the paradox of a superficially utopian dystopia and the potential trap it represents. I devise “enticing” sculptural creations, drawing inspiration from modern and contemporary architectural and design trends, reminiscent of precious artefacts and amusement parks, aiming to invite the viewer to interact with them.
Each formation is initially constructed digitally, through three-dimensional design applications, and then followed by the actual construction based on the digital plan. The forms of the compositions are objects that I either create from scratch or are pre-fabricated, and then subsequently transformed. These toys prompt interaction and promise rewards, with the goal of either leading the viewer to make assumptions about the outcome of the interaction, based on careful observation and thought before action, or to engage in impulsive actions. Once the viewer engages, the toys are activated and act unpredictably and unexpectedly. Through observation, listening and tactile interaction, one understands that nothing is as it seems and that the outcome is different from what was expected.”
Media & Contact
Representation
Freelancing
References
Website: https://xanthiskk2.wixsite.com/costasxanthis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costa.xanthis/
Email: xanhtiskk2@gmail.com
Photography credit
Costas Xanthis
Location
Greece