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2012-2013 “Party’s over – Starts over”

State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki
Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens

“We all believed in the dream: that we were part of an eternal bloom, that we were living the dream. The economic crisis is the main story of the first decade of the 21st century”.

I started working on this project when the economic crisis erupted in 2008, with the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, and named it Party’s over. The disquiet was accompanied by some kind of hope that governments would start taking new measures and adopting a new economic policy due to the belief that it was no longer possible to sustain a situation where “resource allocation is determined by financial markets, thereby exacerbating inequalities and exercising a destructive pressure on natural resources” while “international rating agencies fail to pay the price for their share of responsibility, whereas they should be replaced by other -not so deeply corrupted- entitites”.

The situation in Greece has already been pitiable for many years, even before the full blow of the financial crisis, mainly because of the colossal corruption that permeated society.

Three years later, with the economic crisis taking a dramatic toll particularly on Greece, my work was completed under the title Starts over. Inequalities are growing exponentially. In the meantime, the international rating agencies, which “played a vile role in the country’s downturn”, “are still operating without any limitation of their uncontrollable power, unilaterally issuing orders and endangering the very democracy of Europe”. Also, «no one ever foresees these great economic crises. And when they erupt, they always tell us that things will get better. In other words, we understand nothing, we don’t know. This is what strikes me the most: this silence getting deeper and deeper…”.

My images resemble the panorama of an entire life that a person sees marching before him in a split second just before he dies. They are coordinated with deconstruction. Silent images. There is no place for unnecessary feelings. The cold has surrounded me.

Lydia Dambassina

PARTY’S OVER – STARTS OVER, Catalogue, 2012

Party's over, diptych, 2008, lambda c print, mounted on frame, 170x125cm

Party’s over, diptych, 2008, lambda c print, mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Το γλέντι τελείωσε
από, Le Monde – Τρίτη 11 Νοεμβρίου 2008

La fête est finie
d’après, Le Monde – mardi 11 novembre 2008

Party’s over
from, Le Monde – Tuesday November 11, 2008

Party's over, diptych, 2008, lambda c print, mounted on frame, 170x125cm

Party’s over, diptych, 2008, lambda c print, mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

1330 g, 2008, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm

1330 g, 2008, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Ο εγκέφαλος του ανθρώπου
1330 γραμμάρια φαιάς ουσίας που συνοψίζουν την ιστορία της ανθρωπότητας, τα πάθη και τις αμφιβολίες της
από, Le Monde – Τρίτη 3 Φεβρουαρίου, 1998

Le cerveau de l’homme
1330 grammes de matière grise qui résument l’histoire de l’humanité; ses passions et ses doutes
d’après, Le Monde – mardi 3 février 1998

The human brain
1330 grams of gray matter that sum up human history, its passions and doubts
from, Le Monde – Tuesday February 3, 1998

Η Ζωή, 2007, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm

Η Ζωή, 2007, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Η ζωή δεν είναι για χόρταση, λένε στη Μάνη
από, Καθημερινή – Τετάρτη 1 Αυγούστου 2007

La vie n’est pas faite pour être rassasiée, dit-on à Mani
d’après, Kathimerini – mercredi 1 août, 2007

Life is not meant to be full, people say in Mani
from, Kathimerini – Wednesday August 1, 2007

Alle Wege sind verschlossen, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm

Alle Wege sind verschlossen, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Όλοι οι δρόμοι είναι κλεισμένοι
από, ΤΑ ΝΕΑ – Μ.Τετάρτη 31 Μαρτίου 2010

Tous les chemins sont sans issue
d’après, TA NEA – mercredi 31 mars, 2010

All ways are closed
from, TA NEA – Wednesday March 31, 2010

Ich war, Ich bin, Ich werde sein, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm
Ich war, Ich bin, Ich werde sein, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cm

Ήμουν, είμαι, θα είμαι
από, Libération – Δευτέρα 23 Αυγούστου 2010

J’étais, je suis, je serai
d’après, Libération – lundi 23 août, 2010

I was, I am, I will be
from, Libération – Monday August 23, 2010

Τα σταφύλια της οργής, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm

Τα σταφύλια της οργής, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

(Les raisins de la colère | The grapes of wrath)

Η Ελληνική Έξοδος

Un Exode Grec

A Greek Exodus

Ουκ επ'άρτω μόνω ζήσεται άνθρωπος, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm

Ουκ επ’άρτω μόνω ζήσεται άνθρωπος, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

(L’homme ne vit pas seulement de pain | Man shall not live on bread alone)

Α, το ψωμί!…
από, ΤΑ ΝΕΑ – Δευτέρα 30 Αυγούστου 2010

Ah, le pain!…
d’après, TA NEA – lundi 30 août, 2010

Oh, the bread!…
from, TA NEA – Monday August 30, 2010

2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm

2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cm

Παρελθέτω απ’ εμού το ποτήριον τούτο
από, Ελευθεροτυπία – Σάββατο 30 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Que cette coupe passe loin de moi
d’après, Eleftherotypia – samedi 30 octobre, 2010

Let this chalice pass from me
from, Eleftherotypia – Saturday October 30, 2010

PIGS Portugal Italy-Ireland Greece Spain, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm

PIGS Portugal Italy-Ireland Greece Spain, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cm

ΓΟΥΡΟΥΝΙΑ
από, Le Monde – Δευτέρα 13 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010

PORCS
d’après, Le Monde – lundi 13 septembre, 2010

PIGS
from, Le Monde – Monday September 13, 2010

Untitled, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cmΣτο μεταξύ η Ελλάδα ταξιδεύει ολοένα ταξιδεύει κι αν ορώμεν ανθούν πέλαγος Αιγαίον νεκροίς

Entre temps la Grèce voyage, sans cesse voyage et si on regarde les morts fleurissent sur la mer Egée

Meanwhile, Greece travels and travels and we saw the Aegean sea aflower with dead bodies

Hommage à Jannis Kounellis, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm
Hommage à Jannis Kounellis, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cm

Θα κάνω ένα Δούρειο Ίππο σαν τον Οδυσσέα και τα καΐκια που τους κάψανε οι Τρώες, και θα πάω στην ΕΕ. Δέκα χιλιάδες καΐκια έχουνε κοπεί
από, Η ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ – Δευτέρα 4 Αυγούστου 2008

Je ferai un cheval de Troie comme Ulysse et les bateaux que les Troyens ont brulés, et j’irai à la CE. Dix mille bateaux ont été démantelés
d’après, I ALITHIA – lundi 4 août, 2008

I would build a Trojan horse as did Ulysses and the boats that Trojans have burned, and I would go to the EU. Ten thousand boats have been cut out
from, I ALITHIA – Monday August 4, 2008

Headless Ltd, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm
Headless Ltd, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Headless Ltd: Η οικονομία ακέφαλο τέρας
Πώς να βρούμε κάτι που δεν είναι εδώ, πώς να καταγράψουμε το αόρατο;
από, Libération – Σάββατο 18 και Κυριακή 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010

Headless Ltd: La finance monstre sans tête
Comment trouver quelque chose qui n’est pas là, comment filmer l’invisible?
d’après, Libération – samedi 18 et dimanche 19 septembre, 2010

Headless Ltd: Finance headless monster
How to find something that is not there, how to film the invisible?
from, Libération – Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September, 2010

Ombre, 2009, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm
Ombre, 2009, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Όλοι αυτοί που εικονίζονται σε αυτές τις εικόνες έζησαν την έκσταση και τον γολγοθά της show-business, την εργασία και την οδύνη της επίδειξης… Τόσο φώς γύρω τους, όλη τη ζωή τους, που έχασαν τη σκιά τους…
Jean Baudrillard, στο Big Room του Guy Peellaert

Tous ceux qui figurent dans ces images ont vécu l’extase et le calvaire du show-bizz, le travail et la souffrance de l’exhibition…Tellement de lumière autour d’eux, toute leur vie, qu’ils en ont perdu leur ombre…
Jean Baudrillard, dans Big Room de Guy Peellaert

All those depicted in these images have experienced the ecstasy and debasement of show-business, the hardship and suffering of exposure… Overwhelmed by light their entire lives, they no longer have a shadow…
Jean Baudrillard, in Big room by Guy Peellaert

Pina Bausch gestorben, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170x125cm
Pina Bausch gestorben, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame,170 x 125 cm

Η Pina Bausch πέθανε
από, Ελευθεροτυπία – Frankfurter Allgmeine – Τετάρτη 1 Ιουλίου 2009

Pina Bausch est morte
d’après, Eleftherotypia – Frankfurter Allgmeine – mercredi 1 juillet , 2009

Pina Bausch is dead
from, Eleftherotypia – Frankfurter Allgemeine – Wednesday July 1, 2009

Untitled, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170x125cm
Untitled, 2010, lambda c print mounted on frame, 170 x 125 cm

Πένθος είναι όταν απαγορεύεις την είσοδο στο φώς
από, Καθημερινή – Κυριακή 18 Ιουλίου 2010

Le deuil: c’est quand tu interdis l’entrée à la lumière
d’après, Kathimerini – dimanche 18 juillet, 2010

Mourning: when you forbid light to enter
from, Kathimerini – Sunday July 18, 2010

 

State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012 / Installation views

Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party's over - Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
Party’s over – Starts over, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, 2012
A blue-green byzantine toy, 2011, scale, blue-green pigments, 25x76,5x20cm
A blue-green byzantine toy, 2011, scale, blue-green pigments, 25 x 76,5 x 20 cm
Mélancolie, 2007, color lambda print, mounted on aluminium, 170x125cm
Mélancolie, 2007, color lambda print, mounted on aluminium, 170 x 125 cm

 

L'échelle, 2011, wood, inscription, 300x150x7cm

Untitled, 2011, ladder, wood, writing, 300 x 150 x 7 cm

ΑΥΤΟ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΤΟ ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΟ ΣΚΑΛΟΠΑΤΙ
ΜΗΝ ΠΑΤΑΤΕ ΠΕΡΑΝ ΑΥΤΟΥ

CECI EST LE DERNIER BARREAU
NE POSEZ PAS LE PIED AU-DELÀ

THIS IS THE LAST STEP
DON’T PUT YOUR FOOT BEYOND

Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50x26.7cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50 x 26.7 cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50x26.7cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50 x 26.7 cm diameter
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, dimensions variable
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, dimensions variable
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions 
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions
Untitled, 2008, 185 nooses, variable dimensions

 

Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013 / Installation views

Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Party's over - Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012-2013
Party’s over – Starts over, Museum Alex Mylona-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, 2012 – 2013
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50x26.7cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50 x 26.7 cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50x26.7cm diameter
Prozac, 2005, plastic brain, glass bowl, water, pump, 50 x 26.7 cm diameter

Press Release, Museum Alex Mylona