Maria studied Visual Communication Design and Arts in Athens and New York. She is interested in the impact of images on humans and I have used all my creativity and skills to communicate and translate ideas intro visuals. In 2017, I gave the name Metagrunge to all my art and design work, a name representing resilience through creativity. As an artist, I love giving new perspectives to daily issues and make extraordinary out of the ordinary. I use my archive to teach empathy.
Embedded Files
AndthenWeTalked is the result of her love about learning through the arts which then becomes a magic getaway for deep conversations and connection with people. It started from the need to address the phenomenon of loneliness and social exclusion. The main idea is: by creating around various issues through the arts, we discuss and improve our communication and social skills while building quality relationships with our fellow human beings.
One of the many stories: In May 2010, I had to - somewhat suddenly - leave the house I lived in Brooklyn and return to Athens. A bit because it was abrupt, a bit because it was the house where I stayed alone for the first time, I was seized with anxiety, thinking that I hadn't talked to people as much as I wanted and no one would ever know that I had been here. So in the last few days before I left, I decided to find a way to talk to someone in my neighborhood, someone I saw every day, even if I was shy, even if I still felt like a "stranger," and even though I hadn't done it for the past 3 years.
How would I talk? And with whom of all? I remembered a neighbor of mine, who on days with good weather, would come out on his balcony and play loud music, which could be heard in the neighborhood and kept me company. Every day at the same time. "That's a good excuse," I thought. I burned a CD (Mos Dub), rehearsed what I would say, and went. I didn't find him in the morning, but I was determined and tried again that same afternoon: "I have been living here across the street for the last three years, tomorrow I leave, I am going back to Greece.
Your music kept me company all this time and I brought you a CD with music similar to what you like" - reggae.On the very same day, I heard the music I gave him playing loudly.
It was a "human antidote" to the feeling of loss and separation from my neighborhood. I felt visible. I thought, "What if I had done this earlier, how much more could I have 'gained' and now everything makes sense." At the same time, I had also identified an alternative and more meaningful way of communication for those who find it difficult to speak, to express themselves: using the arts as an excuse and common ground, a CD, a movie, a poster.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse