Diamantis Sotiropoulos solos at UPSTAIRS / berlin

Saturday, 15 March 2008 23:37

Berlin, Germany - Upstairs berlin is pleased to present Diamantis Sotiropoulos’s first solo exhibition at the gallery. In his new large-sized works on paper the Greek artist (born 1978 in Athens) illustrates an anthropocentric view of the world with humankind as the central concern, as the measure of all things. Sotiropoulos describes the instability of modern man incapable of both moderating his greed and living in harmony with nature and his fellow human beings. The consequences – violent conflicts of power and ecocide – are transposed in a storyline inspired by myths.
 
The human protagonists are symbolized by animals and legendary figures or hidden behind pompous masks and garments. Trigger-happy is Diamantis Sotiropoulos’s view of the current state of the world. Diamantis Sotiropoulos narratives are built around a central theme. Man cherishes the desire to dominate others, be it through violence, war, defraud, repression or senseless cruelty. Sotiropoulos’s associative, almost allegorical compositions are most intricate. Skulls, thrust weapons, glorioles, eternally burning candles and excessive jewellery pervade his work, their refinement reminiscent of the baroque or rococo era. The humour is as black as the gouache and ink the artist is using, first lightly and then gradually darker, accentuated with relief-like, shiny gold colour.
 
Weighty, dark and highly elaborated the floral border reveals its eerie and brutal character. Beautiful, symmetrical roses with lanceolate and thorny sepals, tulips with snaky double tonguing or marguerites with razor sharp teeth entwine around leaves and flowered branches where dead black ravens threateningly await their violent assault. As a parable for nature fighting back human beings and their violations, here even idealism and beauty are in the hands of evil and any optimism is nipped in the bud.
 
Exhibiting internationally since his graduation from Athens School of Fine Arts in 2004, Diamantis Sotiropoulos is represented by Upstairs berlin and Gazonrouge Gallery in Athens. Sotiropoulos, who currently lives and works in Berlin, has participated in group exhibitions Myth – Matrix of the World at upstairs berlin and AFFINITIES. Deutsche Guggenheim 1997-2007. New Acquisitions Deutsche Bank Collection at the Deutsche Guggenheim in Berlin in 2007.
 
On exhibition from March 29 until May 24, 2008.  Opening 1st floor: Friday, March 28, 2008, 6 to 8 pm. Upstairs berlin is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.  For further information please contact Mr Aeneas Bastian per phone under +49-30-209 157 90 or per email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Founded at the beginning of the year 2005 upstairs berlin gallery is located in central Berlin. The gallery is in the gallery building on Zimmerstrasse 90/91, staircase A 2, 1st floor. Upstairs berlin’s program concentrates on international contemporary art. Its main focus is on young European artists working in a wide range of media. Promoting the long-term development of artistic careers the gallery's aim is to discover and establish new talents. Visit : www.upstairs-berlin.com/