Dimitris Papaioannou
A special new creation
for the Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art in conversation
with Dimitris Papaioannou

As part of the event, the Museum produced a 176-page collective edition, featuring photographs and texts about the performance and Early Cycladic art, as well as a rare conservation with Dimitris Papaioannou discussing his relationship with the Cyclades and Cycladic Culture.

Read the conversation:

THIS
THAT
KEEPS
ΟΝ
– a personal archaeology –

A special new creation for the Museum of Cycladic Art

Dimitris Papaioannou invokes images and hybrid chimera-like bodies from nearly four decades of his work, reassembling them with new elements of moving images, physical intensity, and sculptural installations, into a deeply personal composition.

Bodies and materials explore themes of memory, excavation, fragility, eroticism, union, origin, and the joy of being alive—within the unique historical, geological, and artistic landscape of the Cyclades. This new creation, designed as a living dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary, is a synthesis / an assembly and a reimagining of (existing) material by an extraordinarily multidimensional artist, grounded in the discipline of his distinctive style, form, and media.

Production: Museum of Cycladic Art

Conceived, visualized and directed by
Dimitris Papaioannou

With
Orestis Alexiadis, Gian Angelos Apostolidis Isaak, Mary Chandrinou, Spyridon Christakis, Costas Chrysafidis, George Dereskos, Nikos Englezos, Dimitris Goulios, Yiannis Karababas, Makis Katsaneas, Dimitris Lagos, Ektor Liatsos, Nikos Manolas, Maria Manoukian, Dimitris Matsoukas, Daniel Michna, Vasilis Mihas, Breanna O’ Mara, Lukasz Przytarski, Aidi Ormeni, Gal Robissa, Elli Skourogianni, Thanos Stasinos, Dimitris Stavrianopoulos, Christos Strinopoulos, Benjamin Stroman, Stelios Theodorou, Michalis Theophanous, Dimitra Vlachou, Maria Vourou

Set design:
Tina Tzoka

Lighting design
Stephanos Droussiotis
Dimitris Papaioannou

Original music – Sound compositions
Giorgos Poulios

Music
Arvo Part, Richard Strauss, Jean Sibelius, Wayne King, Victor Young, Egbert Van Alstyne, J.S. Bach, Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore

Music supervision
Stephanos Droussiotis

Costumes
Dimitris Papaioannou

Costume production
TUBE_ATHENS (Dina Tsichli)

Sculptures & Special props
Nectarios Dionysatos

Photographs – Cinematography
Julian Mommert

Creative and Executive producer – Assistant director
Tina Papanikolaou

International relations, Communications, manager & Tour Programmer
Julian Mommert

Contributors from the Museum of Cycladic Art

President & CEO:
Kassandra Marinopoulou

Vice President B:
Titina Stravelaki Patera

Academic Directors:
Dr Panagiotis P. Iossif, Dr Ioannis D. Fappas

Development:
Marianna Kikiza, Christina Koratzani

Communication:
Lida Karanikolou, Stella Tsagkaraki, Maria Malichoutsaki, Giorgos Karampelas

Organization:
Deligina Prifti, Dionysis Sakellarios, Barbara Karpodini, Nefeli Bantela, Nastazia Sfika

 Special thanks to MEGARON – The Athens Concert Hall, and the Greek National Opera for generously offering their spaces to Dimitris Papaioannou and his company for the creation and rehearsals of this project. Warm thanks also to the Athens and Epidaurus Festival for their overall support in the realization of the performance.

Envisioning an ambitious future the Museum of Cycladic Art is embarking on a transformation journey that will drastically enhance the collective gaze of visitors reengineering itself as a cultural landmark and a worldwide venue prepared to leave an inedible mark on the community.

In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Museum is embarking on a transformation that will reimagine how it serves the public as a dynamic, inclusive, and immersive cultural hub.

Transforming from the inside out, changes will include a new physical space that reflects the Museum’s priorities, including its renewed commitment to creativity, sustainability, and access. Together with its supporters, the Cycladic will advance its legacy as a pioneering institution where culture, innovation, and community meet.

More than a renovation, the Transformation will empower new ways for people to engage with the Museum’s collection and with the stories – ancient and modern – that they inspire.

True transformation begins from within. As the Museum reimagines its physical space, it is equally committed to strengthening its core—ensuring that its portfolio of programs, as well as its leadership and operations are as forward-thinking as its vision.

Join us as we build the Cycladic Museum of the future.