The ivy pattern is repeated on an impressive mosaic floor, while a few meters further a living ivy climbs into the site, coexisting with about twenty more plant species. Together they connect our culture from ancient times to the present day and converse over time with art. Two outdoor sculpture exhibitions are addressed to both seeing visitors and visually impaired persons, who are invited to approach the works through touch. At the same time, small explorers attempt to bring to light antiquities through a simulation of an archaeological project.
These are some of the elements of the new permanent outdoor exhibition in the southern garden of the Museum of Byzantine Culture, in the center of Thessaloniki, which complements and at the same time talks with the modules presented in the eleven halls of the museum. From today, for the first time, the space opens up organized to the public, enabling visitors not only to tour but also to experience an experience of interaction with exhibits and the natural environment.
At the opening of the exhibition entitled «Kiss and Stone“ the Minister of Culture, Lena Mendoni, and her Italian counterpart were present, Alessandro GiuliaOn the occasion of their presence in Thessaloniki for the presentation of the first results of Greek-Italian cooperation on the restoration of confiscated and broken antiquities. "The Mediterranean wouldn't be what we know If Greece was missing with its culture, Rome with its own culture and finally Hellenic-Roman culture as a common substrate of our European identity“ Mrs Mendoni said addressing Alessandro Giulia.
He then stressed that as the Mediterranean is interwoven with extroversion, exchange of ideas, people and experiences, so and The Museum of Byzantine Culture attempts through this exhibition to bring the people of Thessaloniki and visitors "in and out at the same time", opening new ways of contact with cultureAt the same time, he stressed the need Greece and Italy to cooperate even closer to show together Byzantium as a key element of European culture.
From the triklin mosaic to the sculptures touchedThe individual sections of the exhibition in the museum garden, designed by architect Kyriakos Krokos (1941–1998) for various educational activities, were presented by the Director General of the Museum of Byzantine Culture, Dr. Flora Carayannis, with particular emphasis on mosaicoccupying much of the garden"It's about mosaic floor of an old Christian house excavated in Upper City in the late 1980s and transferred to the newly created then museum in the mid-1990s," he said. As he explained, the work comes from the triclinium, i.e. the arched reception hall of the residence, which was inhabited from the late 4th to the 6th century and carries rich plant and geometric decoration.
She noted that about a month ago the maintenance work of the mosaic began, according to an approved study, and its performance to the public will gradually take place within the summer, so that visitors can monitor the work closely, chat with the maintainers and be aware of the restoration process.
In the open air they still present selected architectural sculptures of Thessaloniki, such as bases, columns and capitals mainly of the early Christian period (4th–7th c.), as well as examples of white and colored marble and granite that adorned public and private buildings of the era.
The exhibits also show the extensive production and distribution network of marble in the eastern Mediterranean during the Late Antiquity.
One of the thematic sections also presents the stages of the production of an architectural sculpture through a special construction of sculptor Giannis Christos, in front of a modern mural composition of the artist Dimitra Kamarakis.
Experience for people with visual problems and for every visitor is especially acquired, as the exhortation "is prevalent in the area.Please touch / Please touch“ encouraging the tactile approach of exhibits and the understanding of sculpture through the materiality and carvings of works.
For its part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MBA, Helen Tornivuka, stood on the main priorities of the museum. ‘Accessibility for disabled persons, participation of children and young people and extroversion“ He said and stressed that the report calls on the public to approach exhibits with all senses and discover new ways of communicating with cultural heritage, aiming for a museum more open, more accessible and more vibrant for all.
The event was organized by the musical ensemble of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Megaron Music of Thessaloniki "MOYSA", with the artistic direction of Panayiotis Diamantis.The outdoor exhibition "Kissos and Stone" will be visited daily, from 8am to 8pm..