26 February 2020

By Dimitra Stanga

In a bright space in the heart of the city, visual artist Nikos Moschos unveils his latest exhibition, Conditions of Adaptation. We meet him on a cloudy Saturday morning, smiling as he is surrounded by visitors of all ages—children darting between canvases, friends and acquaintances offering congratulations.

Welcoming us at the Zoumboulakis Gallery, Moschos speaks about his art, the accelerated pace of modern life, and the impact technology has on our psyche. For him, the very idea of progress and evolution has become almost entirely commodified, with technology transforming from a means into an end—one that shapes and defines us.

-How long have you been working on this exhibition?
-“I’ve been working on it for three years—a long time, I’d say. Each piece required a lot of attention. The larger canvases, for example, took around three months each. It’s a process that demands time and preparation. At the same time, I make sure the works are connected—mainly on a conceptual level—which is itself a time-consuming task.”

-Does the speed brought by technology have a negative effect on our lives?
-“I’m not against technology, but I believe it reinforces the human instinct to gain power and assert dominance over others. Technology fascinates us to the point where an object—like a mobile phone—becomes an object of worship. It ends up directing the life of the modern individual. This obsession traps us, creating unnecessary emotions—a constant need to prove who we are and what we’re worth. And this inevitably affects my field as well; we now see careers being built on Instagram.”

-So art is being altered by all this?
-“Absolutely. When, for instance, a gallery starts looking at an artist’s likes, art is instantly shaped by the aesthetic preferences of the Instagram audience.”

-You grew up in Crete. Do memories of the island influence your work?
-“For me, it was the transition from the countryside to Athens that left its mark. Adapting was difficult, and that experience eventually influenced my work—the urban life, in particular.”

-How difficult is it for an artist to survive in Greece today compared to abroad?
-“At this point, I think it’s just as hard for an artist in Greece as it is for one abroad. The difference is that there are many more artists working outside Greece. Here, we are fewer, so in a way, survival is possible.”

-Have you ever imagined yourself doing another job?
-“That’s where I’d have a problem! For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a painter. For me, it was the only path—and I’m glad I was fortunate enough to follow it. Of course, I also worked extremely hard.”

Info
Exhibition dates: 13 February – 7 March 2020
Zoumboulakis Gallery, 20 Kolonaki Square