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"... Another opportunity for creativity, at a bad moment in history, under the heavy shadow of technology, the big winner of our time, which drove to deadlock the creators of images," says Costas Tsoclis in the catalogue of his new exhibition, which will open on Saturday June 2, on the martyrdom island of Spinalonga (Kalydon).

The goal of the artist is to turn the whole island into a work of art. The archaeological sites of Spinalonga will be provided for the realization of cultural events for the first time.

The exhibition entitled “Tsoclis, you, the last leper" will be located in an area of 0.085 square kilometers on the island of Spinalonga, which has a rich Greek, Venetian and Ottoman history. The works are in continuous dialogue with the monument-island, and the history from the period 1904-1957 provides the occasion for this creativity.

Three-dimensional works of a truly "live" painting, impressive art installations, large size facilities, performances, tell or suggest about the lives of desperate exiles, who even committed suicide, lived mutilated, but did not stop falling in love, giving birth, or seeking to make contact with the outside world. A large cross is placed at the entrance of the island: "... the cross, a symbol of martyrdom, placed at the entrance of the island, automatically turns it into a monument of worship, which ceases to be a tourist attraction. The visitor is asked to visit the island ... with the due respect," says the artist.

"... On one hand the artist invites us to share in the living conditions of those who lived in isolation on the island from 1904 to 1957 and on the other, offers us an exit through art. His third goal is the coexistence and operation of arts and science, and the humane review of the past, present and future. This is why this ambitious undertaking also includes art, music, archeology and science,” says in her introduction to the exhibition catalogue the art critic Katerina Koskina who is curator of the exhibition together with the museum director Bruno Cora.

Nikos Ksidakis is the composer, who created the music, which accompanies the visitors throughout the exhibition.

The exhibition, which is taking place thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Crete Prefecture, Aghios Nikolaos Municipality, Municipal Museum Kostas Tsoklis, and which is under the auspices of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO, will continue until October 31, 2012.

“Tsoklis, you, the last leper”

Spinalonga Island

June 2 until October 31, 2012