The upcoming exhibition of the British Museum on the body in ancient Greek art has drawn great interest long before its official opening on 26 March. Those who wish to see the exponents can now purchase their tickets in advance within the impressive advertising campaign of the London Museum.
The subject of the exhibition "Defining Beauty. The body in ancient Greek art" itself is popular, attractive and totally capable of developing a story, as is the intention of the British Museum, writes the Greek daily Kathimerini. Proof of this is that it will combine iconic works such as the famous sculpture of the Vatican, Belvedere Torso, which itself has a long history and symbolism, and will be exhibited for the first time in the British Museum.
Interestingly, its transferring to London coincides with the exhibition of one of the Parthenon marble sculptures. Thus, the visual, sensory and communicative connection of Fidias with Michelangelo and of classical Athens with the Renaissance is creating a new line of thought to read the Western model.
In this attractive presentation, which includes many important works of pre-Classical, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman art, the British Museum is playing the role of a chief musician in an orchestra. Through its well-considered actions, such as the inclusion of the Parthenon marbles in the exhibition it is sending clear messages to the international community, writes the author of the article in Kathimerini.
The theme of the exhibition, which will run until 5 July, is so attractive that the Museum expects very high attendance of visitors from around the world. So far, the response of the Greek museums from which the British Museum has requested to submit exponents to participate in the exhibition is not clear but common sense dictates presence at it not absence from it, adds the author.
At the same time, another protest in support of the request for the return of the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum is being prepared in Athens. The symbolic procession is organized on the initiative of Mayor of Maroussi and Chairman of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece George Patoulis and the person in charge of the international relations of the Union and Mayor of Marathonas Ilias Psinakis.
The protest will take place on Sunday, 18 January, because, as explained in a press conference, on that day the Parthenon marbles that have been submitted to the Hermitage Museum for an exhibition there will be returned to the British Museum.