THE PLACE >

THE ROCK

A rock that breathes.
A live rock.

This is how I felt when, passing through the tall stone wall of the yard, I saw the building that stood there for more than 150 years. I could not believe that it dominated the place proudly for such a long time the same way I could not imagine how it would turn into an art gallery. But it is always the wildest dreams that make you want to struggle and fly as well. This is what it used to be and this is how still is.

Live, wonderful, enhancing, powerful and imposing; an old mansion, a castle house. This is how they call all these old buildings surrounded by high walls that enclose all the dwellings needed at that time; the dominating main house, the wine-press, the warehouses, the oven and many other auxiliary rooms. A poem made of stone.

Sat on a very old stone bench, I was thinking of the children that used to play in these ideal hidings. Enchanted by all these images, with a strong desire to disappear into the hot stone like a lizard, with a strong desire to get absorbed by this Doric stone, I heard Andreas’ voice like a thunder into my mind.

“Why not making a museum out of it?”

So loudly I thought that if there is a place that can host a Xotaris’ thoughts and experiences, then this is the one.

Ever since we had to fight with our ideas of how we could make this ideal place, magical in the game it played with time – the great sculptor, leaving him to set off its beauty, wear its Sunday best, how this stone that seemed to be left there by angels hands could turn into an art gallery, safe and beautiful; able to live to eternity.

So, I answered Andreas: “Let’s do it. Let’s do it together.”

Let yourself wander through the pictures of this magical image theater. Older and more recent photos that shall make you feel part of its magic as well as to confirm that what was built, it was built correctly. With a simple, severe beauty.

An art gallery for artists and students to meet together. A place for visitors and collectors to admire. A treasurer of a beautiful collection.

This will be the shell, the crypt where art shall get armed against bad taste and every day life.

Enjoy it and feel free to send us your ideas.