Yorgos Maraziotis Mythical Truths

Can you describe your research project?

Mythical Truths was realised between 2022 and 2023 and focused on the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp as a pedagogical, historical and cultural ecosystem. During the autumn of 2022, students, professors, technicians, administrative personnel and others from the Academy’s community, were invited to share their everyday experiences while walking around the school buildings. Their narratives touched, among others, notions on apprenticeship, representation and identity structures, spatial understanding, everyday-life joys and burdens. Later, the recorded stories were edited into a written archive and in April 2023, parts of it, gained momentum through their sculptural, design and sound translation in space. More specifically a series of sculptures, pictures and sound projections were exhibited in various indoors and outdoors spaces of the Academy and the University of Antwerp; the garden, the Orangerie, the Wintertuin, various halls and the library. In January 2024 Mythical Truths was published by Track Report in a 56-pages book.

Why have you chosen this topic?

I am interested in the ways art institutions function daily and how their identity influence the cultural and educational schemes of our times. Before coming to Antwerp to study – I did a one-year MA in Sculpture – I knew the Academy by its reputation which is mostly formed by the practice and the stories of its “stars alumni” and of course by the media. A sort of mythology, I would say. After my graduation I realised that in order to understand better how such an institution functions in reality, I had to listen to the people that are mainly left outside the spotlight (students, technicians, cleaning and administration personnel, etc). In addition, I wanted to explore how space and architecture influence daily-learning and how the character of the Academy is affected by the fact that some of its departments are scattered around the city.

What research methods do you use?

I follow a multidisciplinary methodology that is mainly based on language and human relations opening up to visual arts and architecture. Storytelling, walking-dialogues and archiving are used during the first stages of my research. Sculpting, drawing, graphic design and installation art practices follow up and help me shape the artistic outcomes of my project. I always consult with architects, designers, writers and photographers.

In what way did your research affect your artistic practice?

I definitely write more than I used to. For example, when I start creating a new artwork, I find myself composing my thoughts first in writing rather than through drawing or crafting. I do enjoy it as it makes me more self-critical and it helps me find the reason behind producing. Five years ago, during the preparations of a solo show I would fill up my studio with materiality and endless try-outs. Now I often work mobile and I am surrounded with notes and writings more than I am with matter.

What are you hoping your research will result in, both personally and publicly?

On a personal level I did learn a lot and I evolved as an artist thanks to the people that trusted me with their meaningful stories and thanks to the Academy that welcomed me, allowed me to apply a sort of institutional critique and gave me the chance to test the possibility of an alternative school model. I am already developing further my methodology by researching different European art institutions. Regarding the public, I hope that they can experience my artworks either in print or on site – all my sculptures are still on view at the Academy or in the Faculty of Design Studies of the University of Antwerp – and they can contemplate oral histories as tools for designing sustainable spaces and achieving institutional pluralism.

The publication of Mythical Truths is available at Tique | art space for books.