The Arts of Paper Meet Ancient Drama. Workshops on bookbinding, paper-cutting, poster design, and screen printing in collaboration with Perakis Papers. Can paper speak with its own voice, in its own language? Can we perceive it, beyond its utilitarian dimension, as a source of inspiration and artistic creation? How fine is the line between art and technique? The series of workshops organized by the Festival in collaboration with the historic Perrakis Papers house is dedicated to this ancient material and its contemporary artistic transformations. Fragile and finite, paper always retains the purity of a tabula rasa. Like every “blank slate,” it invites us to “write” on its surface, to leave our own imprint, and to shape our vision destined for longevity upon its delicate essence. Encouraging physical interaction and live connections, these workshops introduce us to wonderful aspects of the artistic utilization of paper, guided by the finest craftsmen in the field: Kostas Boudouris in artistic bookbinding and concertina creation,Stratis Tavlaridis in the art of

paper-cutting with a scalpel, Dimitris Papazoglou in poster design, and Manolis Angelakis in screen printing. The overall curation of the project is undertaken by Ariadne Peraki. The workshops are part of the broader thematic framework of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival Open Plan creative workshops, which this year draw inspiration from the archetypal figures of Dionysus and Apollo. The theatrical framework is provided by Elli Gavriil. The offices of Perrakis Papers on Alkminis Street in Kato Petralona will host the Paper Seminars, serving as a hub for creative exchanges. They remain always open, aiming to bring together people who love paper. With an introduction to the art of paper-cutting with a scalpel by Stratis Tavlaridis, participants will have the opportunity to create intricate perforated works of art using delicate Asian paper. They will also learn about the history and evolution of paper cuts from their origins to the present day. During the workshop, participants will also engage with artworks from the artist’s latest solo exhibition.

Photo | Alexandra Masmanidi