¶ ΤΗΕ DAEDALUS PROJECT ≈≈≈ ΤΟ ΔΑΙΔΑΛΟΥ ΕΡΓΟ ¶

≈THE SYMBIOTIC ETHOS OF ART, TECHNOLOGY, THE BODY AND MYTH≈

STELARC
IOANNIS MICHALOUDIS
VICTORIA HOLESSIS
CHRIS COBILIS
RENEE DOROPOULOS
MASONIK
STEVE PARASKOS
PETROS VOURIS

The Daedalus Project is an ambitious multi-venue art event held across 4 Galleries (plus one symposium venue) over two weeks within the Lively Maylands cultural precinct. The exhibition showcases new and challenging work from 8 Hellenic-Australian artists all working with a broad range of technology enabled mediums through performance, robotics, Aerogel sculptures, sound installation, video, photography and textiles.

The theme of The Daedalus Project interweaves through a timeless concept, drawn from a symbiotic relationship between art, technology and science, that is often erroneously considered an exclusively modern concept. We also look into the cyclic nature of myth in its role in this relationship, while discovering that the body, and even identity, are used as memetic devices where such discourse is thought and fought over. 

The name of the project itself comes from the myth of the first Greek sculpture and inventor Daedalus. Daedalus, who is better known for his invention of mechanical wings and the plight of his son Icarus, is symbolic of the symbiotic nature of art and technology prevalent in the ethos of Greek myth and culture. 

The significance of such ideas to us ‘moderns’ is analogous to the current reignited relationship between art and science; therefore, an investigation into the past may also reveal some insights into our future. 

Venues: 

Ferguson Foundry - 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands
www.studio281.com.au/ferguson-foundry

Chrissie Parrot Arts - 4 Sussex St, Maylands
www.chrissieparrottarts.com

Johnny Ma Studios - 305A Railway Parade, Maylands
www.facebook.com/johnnymastudios

Henry On Eighth – 49 Eighth Ave, Maylands
www.facebook.com/henryon8th

Exhibition times for all spaces except Henry On Eighth:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 10am - 5pm
Friday: 5pm - 9pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 3pm

Henry on Eighth:

Monday: 7am – 10pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Thursday 7am – 10pm
Friday: 7am – 11pm
Saturday: 8am – 11pm
Sunday: 8am – 10pm

Show us love and favourite ♥ our event on the Fringe World Website:
www.fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/event/the_daedalus_project/dee1f078-5ab0-42d5-ae6e-9048a5197ec8/ 

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¶ 15th Feb 'Daedalus Reanimated ≈≈≈≈ Δαίδαλος αναπτέρωσε' ¶
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A one-day Symposium on The Daedalus Project's related themes of technology in art, Hellenic ethos in contemporary art, and art, among the Hellenic diaspora will take place with 4 Key speakers already confirmed. 

Oron Catts (SymbioticA, UWA) 
Guy Ben-Ary (SymbioticA, UWA)
Dr Ioannis Michalou(di)s (Charles Darwin University) 
Dr John Yiannakis (Curtin University)

Talks and performances from Daedalus Project artists and guests will take place in between symposium topics and will be hosted at The RISE conference and community centre in Maylands, thanks to the in-kind support of the City of Bayswater. More info on the Symposium will be revealed soon.

Anyone interested in presenting works or being a part of the Symposium please email us at hellenic.ekhos@gmail.com

http://www.bayswater.wa.gov.au/about-bayswater/the-rise

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¶ Daedalus the man & myth ≈
Δαίδαλος ο άνθρωπος και ο μύθος ¶
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Daedalus was known for his creation of the Cretan maze, the flying apparatus he made for Icarus and himself, and a giant robot like sculpture called Talos, whose creation was also attributed to Hephestious, the god of art & technology. 

“ His statues (were) like living beings: for they saw and walked, and, in every word, exercised every function so that his handiwork seemed to be a living being.” 
Diodorus Siculus 49 BCE

This approach to art was passed on through Greek art from Polykleitos’ canon – an algorithm like formula for perfectly harmonious ratios in sculpture. Similar attention to this ethos was also placed on music by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras and his followers. Later during the Hellenistic period, artist/inventors such as Heron of Alexandria created robotic automatons that could pour you wine, play you a tune and even re-tell myths through a mechanical theatre no bigger than a small TV.

The Hellenic Ēkhōs initiative was founded by Petros Vouris in 2015. It is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to inform and challenge predisposed ideas of Hellenic culture and art - beyond cultural clichés and racial caricatures. It sees culture as a constantly evolving entity that needs its artists and storytellers for its survival beyond the dusty shelves of antiquarian institutionalism. Hellenic Ēkhōs also sees culture as independent of borders and race and finds the legacy of a cross-cultural dialogue as principal to the advancement of Hellenic culture. 

Hellenic Ēkhōs second event, The Daedalus Project presents works of wonder, leaving the viewer in awe as it weaves through themes of culture and identity, myth and reason, and the relationship between techne (craft/technology) and art. The significance of these ideas to us ‘moderns’ is in the reignited relationship between art and science, which is now once again, urgently contemporary.
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"No words, no actions, but their echoes through eternity - thought is an idea in transit."

-Pythagoras
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