Yannis Dendrinos | Astronaut

Yannis Dendrinos is not merely what we refer to as “sculptor”. Is somehow an explorer and a visionary. The 18 sculptures displayed in the exhibition entitled “Astronaut”, beyond the concept of functional construction as fixtures, they combine imagination, light and darkness, luxury and simplicity, and most importantly the need for exploration and creation. Through the hard industrial metals, materials that he uses and to which he gives a second life, disused insignificant materials acquire in his hands a distinct theatricality. The artist’s will to compose a world of science fiction, created by metallic anthropomorphic robots, space horizons and distant galaxies. Expresses this mood for a more imaginative approach to a standard functional object as a simple lighting fixture. But through these materials that testify the sudden industrialization of the last century, emerges a world reminiscent of the first attempts to craft a picture of the future, the next millennium but also the fear of the unknown. This journey in a romantic future taken out from our past, the creator attempts with his exhibition: a childhood innocence glance at a visual journey to different galaxies. Pavlos Thanopoulos Stage Designer – Costume Designer Benaki Museum Curator...more

Yannis Dendrinos was born in 1978 in the Republic of Congo where he lived until the age of 12. He studied in Athens Electromechanical automation and then art conservation. He deals to this day professionally in the field of electrical engineering and automation. Self–taught in the manufacturing of metal sculpture, he uses as medium the disused industrial materials. He is Influenced both by African art and recycling of materials as he experienced them in local African communities where he grew up, and by the functionality of materials in his everyday work. He sets the focus of his subjects in the conflict between human nature and these materials. Motherhood, transport and recently the kinetic art inspire him to create works rich with movement and light. He has participated in many solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad. [Biography updated on: 6/11/2013]