Vivi Touloumidi

Wet

Greece, 2010

Necklace

Materials:

150 laminated tissues , black ink , tape,

nylon

Techniques:

lamination , stitching

Dimension in cm:

2.5 x 45 x 45

Artist Statement:

The words “Middle East“ bring into my

mind pictures of great sοrrow , suffer and

despair. Words full of hate , a hate already

planted into the next generation;

Frightfully mangled bodies; seriously

maimed children ; infants screaming in

fear and pain;

mothers crying out for help; eyes bursting

into tears. My hometown, Athens, had

always been a near destination to escape

this terror. On its streets , far away from

home , all these nationalities coexist next

to each other confronting the same

anxieties of immigration. In their battle of

survival , they share spots at traffic lights,

where , ironically , they are selling tissues.

We all need it. Highlighted oriental

patterns ; tissue strips in flag colors of the

Middle East nations; A necklace forming a

circle of tissues.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

The violent views on TV and the

confronting reality of the humans two steps

away. A reality, in which I grew up and is

still ongoing.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

Everyday pictures of my life in Athens. The

fact, not just to know, but to see and feel it

in front of you.

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

I believe the choice of the tissues is clearly

explained in my concept. The oriental

patterns are highlighted to  emphasize the

cultural origin. The color of the tissue strips

refer to the strips of the flags of the Middle

East nations and are accordingly placed in

composition for this purpose. A necklace

forming a circle of tissues. Circle have  no

beginning  or ending , all points are  equal.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

These of Union .It is a problem to all of us.

If you could give your Jewelry to an

important figure in the Middle East who

will he/she be? and why?

To a street seller as an action of

demonstration.