The Abduction of Europa MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS Sculptress Greek WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARD

THE ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOSSculptress

WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARDwith the support of the European Commission

EUROPEAN WOMENS ORGANISATION


is series on the ABDUCTION OF EUROPE counts 21 works made in marble, which tell of the beautiful romantic story between Europe and Zeus. It is inspired by the Greek Mythology which has its roots deep into prehistoric times. On some day, many many centuries ago, this pretty princess was playing together with other girls on the meadows of Sidon (Tyr). Having fallen in love with her at first sight, the god Zeus changed himself into a white bull. But since he was married to Hera, he couldnt take Europe home to Mount Olymp and hence, he crossed the Aegean carrying the princess all the way to Crete, the island she came from. Here they celebrated their divine marriage. Later on, when Europe gave birth to her first son Minos, Zeus went up in the skies, where he became the constellation named Taurus. Much later, Europe followed him and became a star herself Zeus satellite, so as to always remain close to him. Her brother Kadmos, who had kept looking for her for years, settled in ebes, aer having consulted the Delphic oracle. He then called the huge land extending in front of him by his sisters name: EUROPE. is is how the name of the daughter of King Agenor (originating from Argos), ruler of Phoenicia, was given to this Continent, to our Europe which now has 27 members.

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS

Sculptress

EUROPEAN WOMENS ORGANISATION with the support of the European Commission

WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARD

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS Sculptress WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARD CURR I C U L U M V I TA EMary Papaconstantinou was born in Chios into a family originating from Inousses Island. She studied at the Athens Superior School of Fine Arts and graduated with a diploma in Sculpture as well as in Theoretical and Historical Studies. She then carried on in London, at the Polytechnic School of Fine Arts, with studies on new materials and on History of Arts. She has been teaching as a professor in faculties (KATEE and TEI), on matters of her specialty. In 1989, she was elected the Greek Woman of Europe; this International price was awarded to her by the institution of the Women of Europe Prize belonging to the EU in order to commend her long years of service to Arts and Letters. In 1990, she represented Greek women in Strasbourg before the then twelve member states of the European Community. Due to her constructive service and to her cultural presence in Europe, she has been awarded the medal to a foreign artist by the International Union of painters and Sculptors, as well as medals by the cities of Paris, Strasbourg and Athens. She has also been given other distinctions by the Accademia Italiana delle Arti e del Lavoro, a.o. Works by Mary Papaconstantinou 57 busts and 18 statues - are on public display in Greece and abroad, namely in Athens, Chios, Inousses, Reggio (Italy), Copenhagen, Brussels, the White House (USA), the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, Caracas, Australia, etc. Some other of her works are being displayed in museums and galleries of panitings. Mary Papaconstantinou also writes articles in Greek and foreign publications, as well as books on the Ancient Greek culture in the Aegean, Chios and Inousses. With her speeches, she also takes part in scientific colloquiums in Greece and abroad. More than 100 articles by her relating to Ancinet Greek Art have been published. Mary Papaconstantionu inspires herself from the Greek Mythology and from the Aegean Sea. She lives and works in Athens. In her opinion, her lifetime achievement is a statue of Homer made of marble which now stands at Chios International Airport Homerus. Some other known creations of hers are: the Mermaid of Inousses which sits since 1986 on a rock in the harbor of Inousses; the monument to the Greek Woman on Vassilissis Sopphias Avenue, Athens; Themis at the courthouse of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Seagulls in the Aegean in Inousses Island; Message of Peace in the 13th building of the EEC, Brussels (1984). Others are located in the White House, Washington DC (since the Johnson presidency); in Caracas; in the town hall of Reggio (Italy); in the Dante Museum (Italy); in Wroclaw (Poland); in the Gallery of the City of Athens; in the Greek Ministry of Culture; in the Athens War Museum; in the Brisbane Museum of Modern Art; in the Patriarchate of Constantinople; etc. Mary Papaconstantionou is the President of the Panhellenic Union of Figurative Arts, of the Thalassographic Gallery of Inousses, of the International Union of Painters and Sculptors (Greek chapter), etc. In her home island of Chios, in 2007, she was declared a honorary citizen of the municipalities of Chos, Omiroupolis and Amani.36, Stournari Str. Athens, 10433 GREECE Phone / FAX: +30 210.5236619, Mob.: +30 6932901877

EUROPEAN WOMENS ORGANISATIONwith the support of the European Commission

What the critics say about Mary PapaconstantinouProfessor CHRYSANTHOS CHRISTOU ZIGOS No. 91-92, Athens 1963 The birds by Mary Papaconstantinou show that the artist can combine simplicity with facility in shaping her material. The way in which she expresses her subject with a line that vibrates and gives shape to her inner inspiration, is unusual SABINE MARCHAND LE FIGARO, 26.10.1967 A few countries take part, but the choice is excellent. One can see the invention of new forms by Mary Papaconstantinou (Greece) DIANA ANTONAKATOU Imerisia Newspaper, 27.06.1974 Mary Papaconstantinou shows her technique in diversified and multiple ways. Some of her most expressive works, the birds, in bronze, invoke in their complex composition the symbolic meaning of flight. The elevated bird (iron) represents her tendency towards the meaning of the ideal. Her small works, as for instance the Masks in bronze, show another aspect of her many skills IAKCHOS TAHYDROMOS, 28.05.1981 The golden metal of the Salsomaggiore Italian Academy of Letters and Arts has been given to the Greek scuptress Mary Papaconstantinou for her work Message of Peace with which she took part in the International Exhibition of Visual Arts. Such presences honour Greece abroad VIMA, 22.03.1981 A unique work in metal by Mary Papaconstantinou is being presented at the Union of Scuptors Exhibition at the Athens Conservatory. The metal is a mixture of aluminium and iron combined for the first time in sculpture HARRIS LIVASATHENS DAILY POST, 20.03.1981 Mary Papaconstantinou does unusual work with forged metal. She pairs the figures together; they are subtle in impact and very striking LA REVUE MODERNE DES ARTS ET DE LA VIE, 01.09.1968 Inspired by the Masterpieces of Ancient Greek art, Mary Papaconstantinou carries on her art researches in the development of Modern Art and creates New Forms with sculpted works in iron, bronze and stone. With this material used to materialise her inspirations, she generates a form of original plastic expression

WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARDEUROPEAN WOMENS ORGANISATION with the support of the European Commission

WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARDED IN GREECE 1988 Virginia Tsouderou : f. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, f. MP; founder of the Free Political Workshop. 1989 Hlne Ahrweiler : f. Head of the University Paris I Panthon-Sorbonne and of the Academy of Paris; founder of the University of Europe.

1990 Mary Papaconstantinos : Sculptress; President of the Greek Union of Visual Arts; Professor of History.1991 Niki Goulandri : Co-founder and President of the Museum of Natural History. 1992 Anne Schlumberger : Founder of the Greek Network of Children Libraries. 1993 Rena Lampsa : f. General Director for Equality ; Vice-President of the European Womens Lobby. 1994 Christina Sakellaridi : Businesswoman; President of the Greek Association of Exporters. 1995 Nasia Michalopoulou : Journalist; Vice-President of the European Journalists Unions Greek section. 1996 Marianna Vardinoyanni : President of the Association of Friends of Children ELPIDA (Hope); Founder and President of the Foundation for the Family and the Child; Responsible for the International Relations in the framework of the Women of Europe Award 1996. 2001 Irne Papa : Actress 2002 Marina Labraki-Plaka : Director of the National Art Gallery. 2004 Aliki Moschi-Gauget : Expert in international relations. 2008 Monica Macovei : Former Minister of Justice of Romania. Head office: c/o Liaison Office Brussels Europe Avenue dAuderghem 63, 1040 Brussels Greek Comity: President Rodi Kratsa-Tsangaropoulou (MEP) Voukourestiou 34, 10671 Athens, Tel: +30210 3647408, Fax: 3633835

Original Sculpture Exhibition From the Cosmospace by Mary Papaconstantinou

For the first time does a Sculpture-Paintings Exhibition in Athens last for six months, and especially in an Academic location. Let me remind you that the inauguration took place on May 3, 2007 in the Kostis Palamas auditorium (Akadimias 48), in the framework of the celebrations for the 170 years past from the foundation of the University of Athens. To our opinion, the success of the exhibition was great for three main reasons: the choice of the topic, being the Space in general, and both units. The first is the spatial area because the admiration for the unknown always provoked fascination and interest for all. Then, the extraordinary space hosting the exhibition in noble rooms with exceptional decoration contributes to the nice presentation of the work. And finally, the people now know how to choose a good work. The sculptress Mary Papaconstantinou surpassed herself. The 30 marble sculptures exposed are sculpted with great ability, offering particular strength to the curved forms and intensity to the spiral forms. The artist ties directly the socalled Cycladic form with the contemporary tendency of art, transferring the spectator to dream words. Her strange compositions of the scenes of the Galaxy, being essentially part of the relief painting, are created with unusual and original materials which she transforms and adapts herself. This work is particularly interesting as it shows the large scale of art dimensions which the sculptress handles. Mary Papaconstantinou dedicates this exhibition, which combines the MOTHERHOOD and the SPACE, to the remembrance of A MOTHER, Krista Makolef, who was lost in space with the Challenger spaceship. The bust of Mary Papaconstantinou is made out of bronze and looks up to the Sky. It will be handed in to the responsible comity in order to be placed in the Museum of Florida, U.S.A., which was specially created for the Space victims. This original work of our compatriot was presented on Tuesday, October 9, at the 3 p.m. News of the NET television channel, with the introductions of the Vice-Rector Professor George Kreatsa and the Professor Laurence Dellasouda. Kostas Abanoudis Poet - Journalist

THOUGHTS CONCERNING THE WORK OF MARY PAPAKONSTANTINOU SCULPTRESS OF PEACEIt is quite difficult for someone to talk about the life and work of the sculptress Mary Papakonstantinou, who is not only well known and distinguished in her country, Greece, but also all over Europe. Many of her works are nowadays present in different European countries and the course of her artistic career includes her participation in more than one hundred collective exhibitions (105), twelve personal exhibitions but also many speeches in international art congresses. An example of that is the annual international congress for Homer in Chios which is organized by the Homeric Academy and Euroclassica. Mary, charmed from the blind bard Homer from Chios, searches and studies for many years the Iliad and the Odyssey in her own way, not only in speech, but also in art, so as to design and create artistically in steady material scenes from the immortal epics, with the hope to complete them very soon. For the first time, she illustrates scenes from the Trojan War in plastics, as she had already done for her other great love, the Greek Mythology, with 23 works of art representing the Abduction of Europa by Zeus in the body of peaceful bull. M. Papakonstantinou gave special care in the exceptional myth which of Aginoros daughter abduction which may not be the whole point as it is mentioned by Homer in the comments (Iliada, . 329) It is obvious that by choosing the Greek little princess who lived in Finiki (Sidona Tyros), but who came from Argos, the sculptress wants to underline the roots of the European continent. It is commonly said that her brother Kadmos, known as the godfather of our continent, gave the name of his lost sister to the continent he had in front of him. Mary Papakonstantinou is characterized by an inwardness that vibrates from emotion, when she creates. She is an exceptionally gifted and talented creator, student of the academician Tomprou in sculpture and of Professor G. Morali in design, who managed to transmit her feelings, throughout her works of art and to give them a special spirituality. What surprises us in her work, are the particular daring ground leveled works which have many blanks, as well as the plastic-shaped compositions that give unpredictable solutions that are not in accordance with the sculptures of masses (ancient Greek runners bull in the Aegean Sea). These works of art are unique and highlight the great capabilities of the sculptress to create an impressive personal combination of modern schematization which is specially visible in the works inspired of from the Aegean Sea, the Maternity in Space and the Greek mythology. By studying very carefully the various levels of her artistic career, one can see that she emphasizes on the movement, an element which is amplified by the symbolic elements she chooses for the balance of masses. During the last few years, the artist is moving towards a general simplification of the shapes and forms by testing various new materials and searching modern ideas. One can find out that shat she has fought for it and that she demonstrates an ease in the use of materials by having an absolute understanding and seizing of the topics. When it comes to the drawings and paintings, we recognize her love for space which is shown by the spiral shapes and the curved forms, the accent and the studied organization of the modern quests that transfer us into a dreamy world of universal harmony. The sculptress is characterized by a strong feeling of inwardness that is full of love for the ancient Greek civilization and for her islands of origin, Oinousses and Chios. Last but not least, an old dream of Mary Papakonstantinou is the artistic creation of the statue of Homer. The work started 2008 and the statue is still and in plaster, but it will be completed in marble and be sited in the Airport of Chios Homer. Today, this project has become the main challenge in M Papakonstantinous life. Rena Meugens EUROPARATIRITIS Monthly review for the greeks in Europe


All works describe the

Abduction of Europaaccording to the Greek Mythology. For the first time, the whole erotic story of Zeus and Europe is worked out in marble not only in Greece, but internationally.

e exhibition will comprehend: A. 24 Marble sculptures with dimensions from 45-50 cm breadth and 35-40 cm height, B. 19 Pencil drawings with dimensions 35 cm x 50 cm, placed in plexiglas.

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS

Sculptress

EUROPEAN WOMENS ORGANISATION with the support of the European Commission

WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARD

MARBLE SCULPTURE ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Portrait of Europa.

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS Sculptress


Zeus on Mount Olympus holds the thunderbolt and sees Europa for the first time, in her homeland Phoenicia.



Zeus holding the thunderbolt, for the first time sees Europa who dances with her friends in the valley of Sidon.



Europa plays the lyra and sings.



Europa, resting at her fathers house, dreams of the two women who want her Orient and Occident, which finally wins.



Both women Europa saw in her dreams Anatoli and Dysi (Orient and Occident) fight on whom she belongs to.



Europa and four friends dance.



One of her friends sings.



One of her friends plays the flute.



Two of her friends dance.



Europa caresses the gold-blond bull which bends down humbly.



Europa and two friends caress the calm animal.



The two friends of Europa pull her back but the journey has already begun.



Her three friends try to hold her back while the bull already gets into the blue Aegean Sea.



Poseidon (brother of Zeus) and his wife Amphitrite assist Zeus with a hippocampus carriage, in order to have a calm sea.



Europa and the Bull in the Aegean Sea.



Europa crosses the Aegean Sea on the back of Zeus.



Europa walks on Cretan soil and is brought to Gortyna for the weddings.



Europa in Phaestos cave, with Zeus transformed in an eagle.



The bull-like Zeus very proudly carries the beautiful Europa on his back.



Europas father Agenor urges his three sons Cadmos, Phoenix and Cilix to search for their sister.



The brother of Europa, Cadmos, asks the Delphic oracle where to search his sister



Talos, a hero of Crete, protects the island and Europa throwing rocks to the approaching ships.



Europa in Crete Gortyna.


PENCIL DRAWINGS FROM THE THEME

ABDUCTION OF EUROPA



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa crosses the Aegean Sea with the bull-like Zeus (sea-gulls and dolphins follow).



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa and Zeus in the Aegean Sea.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

The friends of Europa try to keep her in Sidon.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Zeus, holding the thunderbolt, is impressed by the beauty of Europa dancing with her friends



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Both women Europa saw in her dreams Anatoli and Dysi (Orient and Occident) fight on whom she belongs to.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa and her friends dance in the fields of Sidon.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa and a friend caress the bull.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

The calm animal bends down allowing Europa and two friends to caress it.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa on the bulls back.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa caresses the gold-blond bull.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Three friends try to hold Europa back, while she already sits on the bulls back in the Sea.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa and two friends caress the bull who has bent down.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Poseidon (brother of Zeus) and his wife Amphitrite assist Zeus with a hippocampus carriage.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa crosses the Aegean Sea seated on the back of the bull-like Zeus.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europas mother, Telephassa sits thoughtful on her throne.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europas sad mother, Telephassa, cries on the loss of her daughter.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa, on the bull-like Zeus back, starts her journey to Zeus homeland Crete.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

Europa in Phaestos cave, with Zeus transformed in an eagle.



ABDUCTION OF EUROPA

The abduction has taken place, Europa seated on the bulls back and three friends pulling her to keep her in her homeland Sidon or Phoenicia.


Marble sculptures THE ABDUCTION OF EUROPA1. Portrait of Europa. 2. Zeus on Mount Olympus holds the thunderbolt and sees Europa for the first time, in her homeland Phoenicia. 3. Zeus holding the thunderbolt, for the first time sees Europa who dances with her friends in the valley of Sidon. 4. Europa plays the lyra and sings. 5. Europa, resting at her fathers house, dreams of the two women who want her Orient and Occident, which finally wins. 6. Both women Europa saw in her dreams Anatoli and Dysi (Orient and Occident) fight on whom she belongs to. 7. Europa and four friends dance. 8. One of her friends sings. 9. One of her friends plays the flute. 10. Two of her friends dance. 11. Europa caresses the gold-blond bull which bends down humbly. 12. Europa and two friends caress the calm animal. 13. The two friends of Europa pull her back but the journey has already begun. 14. Her three friends try to hold her back while the bull already gets into the blue Aegean Sea. 15. Poseidon (brother of Zeus) and his wife Amphitrite assist Zeus with a hippocampus carriage, in order to have a calm sea. 16. Europa and the Bull in the Aegean Sea. 17. Europa crosses the Aegean Sea seated on the back of the bull-like Zeus. 18. Europa walks on Cretan soil and is brought to Gortyna for the weddings. 19. Europa in Phaestos cave, with Zeus transformed in an eagle. 20. The bull-like Zeus very proudly carries the beautiful Europa on his back. 21. Europas father Agenor urges his three sons Cadmos, Phoenix and Cilix to search for their sister. 22. The brother of Europa, Cadmos, asks the Delphic oracle where to search his sister. 23. Talos, a hero of Crete, protects the island and Europa throwing rocks to the approaching ships. 24. Europa in Crete Gortyna.

Pencil drawings from the Theme

Abduction of Europa

1. Europa crosses the Aegean Sea with the bull-like Zeus (sea-gulls and dolphins follow). 2. Europa and Zeus in the Aegean Sea. 3. The friends of Europa try to keep her in Sidon. 4. Zeus, holding the thunderbolt, is impressed by the beauty of Europa dancing with her friends. 5. Both women Europa saw in her dreams Anatoli and Dysi (Orient and Occident) fight on whom she belongs to. 6. Europa and her friends dance in the fields of Sidon. 7. Europa and a friend caress the bull. 8. The calm animal bends down allowing Europa and two friends to caress it. 9. Europa on the bulls back. 10. Europa caresses the gold-blond bull. 11. Three friends try to hold Europa back, while she already sits on the bulls back in the Sea. 12. Europa and two friends caress the bull who has bent down. 13. Poseidon (brother of Zeus) and his wife Amphitrite assist Zeus with a hippocampus carriage. 14. Europa crosses the Aegean Sea seated on the back of the bull-like Zeus. 15. Europas mother, Telephassa sits thoughtful on her throne. 16. Europas sad mother, Telephassa, cries on the loss of her daughter. 17. Europa, on the bull-like Zeus back, starts her journey to Zeus homeland Crete. 18. Europa in Phaestos cave, with Zeus transformed in an eagle. 19. The abduction has taken place, Europa seated on the bulls back and three friends pulling her to keep her in her homeland Sidon or Phoenicia.

MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS Sculptress36, Stournari Str. Athens, 10433 GREECE Phone / FAX: +30 210.5236619, Mob.: +30 6932901877

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The Abduction of Europa MARY PAPACONSTANTINOS Sculptress Greek WOMEN OF EUROPE AWARD

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