Konstantin Kakanias, the Artist Alchemist

If Mrs. Tependris were to visit the new Mitsis N’U’ Piraeus Port hotel in Piraeus, she would humorously comment on the city’s regeneration, request a strong brandy, and make a witty remark about the artwork created by its creator that adorns the central hall. Mrs. Tependris is Konstantin Kakanias, but Konstantin Kakanias is not Mrs. Tependris. He is an artist constantly creating new designs and exploring different avenues of expression, impressing with his works and captivating with his personality. His paintings, murals, and sculptures have a story to tell, reflecting his clever, dark humor. They appeal to viewers both aesthetically and intellectually. As he himself says, «laughing is a serious matter».

At what age did you realize that art was your destiny?
Ever since I remember myself, I have been creating and drawing. As a child, I loved to live another life within my life—a parallel life—that was art, as it was a constant act of imagination.

 

You are one of the most interesting contemporary artists. Can you tell us about your references and influences as an artist?
This is very kind of you to say. I draw inspiration from so many references, based on memories, people, and feelings. An artist is a very sensitive person, and in the artist’s mind, everything is transformed, re-examined, and reconstructed. That is one of the functions of Art, to contemplate and present something from a unique perspective, to reveal to us something in a way we haven’t seen before.

 

Who is Mrs. Tependri, and how would you describe your relationship with her?
Mrs. Tependris is me, but I am not her. Mrs. Tependris represents all the women I have adored (and not) in my life, my mother, and you… Women I have met or would have loved to meet. Some men too, but not all of them… And a little (or a lot) of me. My friend Stavroula Panayotaki, the editor of “Athens Voice”, once sent me a wonderful quote about Mrs. Tependris: «Mrs. Tependris is our collective alibi…».

How important is humor in your life? And what role does writing play in your artistic expression?
Humor and comedy are so important in everyone’s life. I really do not want ever to forget that. I believe that even in the most difficult situations, we can still find a smile and something funny that will give us hope and a sparkle of light. We can learn so much from comedy, even about very serious things, as they are expressed and transmitted to us in a way different from pain. Laughing is a serious matter.

 

You have worked with many different materials. Which one do you love the most and why?
I love painting rooms. It truly captivates me to invite and surround the viewer, the inhabitant of the room, with my paintings, in a different reality.

You are preparing an artwork for the new Mitsis N’U’ Piraeus Port hotel in Piraeus. Can you reveal something more about it?
This is very exciting to me, as I genuinely love creating murals and public art. It has a different effect on people as one eats and sits with the piece. It offers a much more intimate experience than viewing it in a gallery. In this particular project, I draw inspiration from the location of the hotel. It is situated in the port of Piraeus, carrying symbolic significance for all of us. Also, it occupies the old cellars and warehouses of Metaxa Brandy. Therefore, I tried to incorporate this unique and historic Greek brand into the artwork.

 

Athens, Paris, Cairo, Los Angeles: Which among them fuels your work, delights your soul, and eases your life?
I feel at home everywhere in the world. However, often, when I am in Los Angeles, I long for Paris, and when in Athens, I dream of India… I love going to new places and getting lost in the unknown. I have a rule, every year to visit a country that I have never been to before. Most of the time, I stick to it.

 

What is the most beautiful compliment you have ever received, the one that stands out from all the others?
When I was much younger, I worked in a small village by the Nile in Upper Egypt, which was truly a wonderful experience. I was making a lot of work and a lot of sketches. One day, I decided to clean my studio, and many of these sketches were not needed as they were preparatory works, so I threw them away. The next day, when I went for a walk around the village, I had a wonderful surprise – all my sketches were saved and displayed on the walls of every house. That was the most beautiful compliment I have ever received.

Greece traveled everywhere thanks to you and your collaboration with Christian Louboutin. Tell us how it came about and what impression it left on you.
The Greek spirit is everywhere in the world, and I always travel with it. What was wonderful about the collaboration with Christian Louboutin is that it was truly a celebration of our friendship and creativity. I also enjoyed incorporating the Greek aesthetic DNA into products that can be used. I love art that can be used, consumed, touched, and treasured—or not.

 

You have collaborated with important people and famous houses. Are there any collaborations that stand out for you, and why?
A recent collaboration that I love is with Commune, a design firm in Los Angeles, for the restaurant “Fanny’s” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, designed by the architect Renzo Piano. I created a series of murals that celebrate the history of movies through the idea of Fanny Brice, a comedian after whom the restaurant is named. I love movies, and one of the reasons I moved to LA 25 years ago was my love for cinema. I am still in love with Old Hollywood.

 

What are your standards of beauty today?
The beauty within. The original beauty that comes out of anything pure. Just be yourself, and that is beautiful. Always.

How do you feel about the progress of some Greek artists who have been internationally recognized in recent years?
I never consider the nationalities of artists; let me make my point on that. Art has no boundaries, no rules, no passports. Art is beyond all that. However, at the same time, I love art that promotes cultures and incorporates elements from one’s own culture. I am a big admirer of Greek art, of course, as it speaks to my core. I love the work of many celebrated painters of the 20th century, but I also worship the work of the unknown weaver who crafted masterpieces without ever knowing his name— simply due to unfortunate circumstances surrounding his work. This is precisely what society should focus on now— how to invite, how to embrace all the work of so many unknown artists who just didn’t have a chance, and how to provide them an opportunity now.

 

Recently I have read that we are entering the era of animals, that we are getting closer to them. What are your thoughts on this, and if you’d like, share a personal story with us.
I love all animals, and I believe we can learn so much from them. My late dog Renzo truly taught me how to be a better person. I am also a strict vegetarian and a proud father of two Boston Terriers that I adore.

 

You have expressed concerns about the Marbles, which Mrs. Tependris has strongly protested. Do you believe that we might eventually see them returned to where they belong soon?
Yes, it is true. I remember the first time I saw the Phidias sculptures in the British Museum, which had been illegally looted from the Parthenon,
I was shocked. Shocked by their immense beauty, but also by their displacement. I felt pain, as an Athenian boy then, and half a century later, as a grown man, I still do…It is sad that the most emblematic art, created in Athens for the City of Athens, is not displayed in the city where it belongs. So unfair and devastating for culture and art. But I am sure, I am, that they will return.

 

What can we expect from you in the future? What are
your dreams?
I have so many projects in the books, so many dreams… I’m afraid I will need a few more lives… or to work faster!