"Meta(mor)phrases: Translation as a Transformative Act" by Marios Chatziprokopiou, Assistant Professor, University of Thessaly
2nd Vakalo Family Fund Visiting Artist
October 13, 2023 | Watch Lecture
Considering translation (metáfrasis) as a metaphor (from latin translatus, that is a ‘carrying over’ or ‘carrying across’ of meaning), "Meta(mor)phrases: Translation as a Transformative Act" builds upon his own practice as a poet, performer, and translator, in order to unpack the process of translating as a key artistic methodology which can lead to metamorphotic acts. Through this perspective, which emanates from texts but also slides between the voice and the body, he will perform and discuss parts of his book ‘Topical Tropics’ (Τοπικοί Tροπικοί, Antipodes, 2019), his current projects including Schebermaschine, and his translations of Clarice Lispector into Modern Greek. Key elements are queer desire and lament; fluid genders and genres; fictive archives; corporeal biographies; polyphonic oralities; liminal vocal states; and the (im)possibilities of reappropriated myths.
Marios Chatziprokopiou has studied and worked in Spain, France, Brazil, and Wales and is currently based in Greece. Shortlisted for the State Literary Award for Best Poetry, his book ‘Topical Tropics’ (Τοπικοί Tροπικοί, Antipodes, 2019) explores issues of queer mourning and desire in connection to oral traditions. Blurring the limits between fiction and criticism, he has performed and lectured internationally. Marios has translated four books by Clarice Lispector, and has collaborated as a dramaturg with several theatre companies. Published in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, his research focuses on performances of migration and displacement, contemporary re-readings of the classics, performances of gender and sexuality, and rituals of lament. He works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Culture and Creative Media and Industries at the University of Thessaly, Greece.
"Chimeras" by Phoebe Giannisi, Professor, University of Thessaly
1st Vakalo Family Fund Visiting Artist
April 13, 2022 | Watch Lecture
"Chimeras" in ancient Greek are female goats and any mythical animal with parts taken from various animals. In biology, a chimera is an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues. For Donna Haraway, we are all chimeras, cyborgs, hybrids of machine and organism. Professor Giannis’s chimeric works slide between different media taking form through performative actions. Key elements are the music of place, animal voices, myths and memory; and fragments on identity, genre, gender, and the species drawn from ancient Greek poetry
Born in Athens, Phoebe Giannisi is a poet and professor of Architecture at the University of Thessaly and the author of 8 books of poetry and a book on architecture. She holds degrees in Architecture, Philosophy, and a PhD in Classics. Her poetry moves between word, performance, and installation and investigates the connections of poetics with body and place.
