The “Road” by Andreas Embirikos

I heard “The Way” in the early 70s as a recording, and in 1974, I first read it when it was printed by Tram. Reading it created a different relationship with the text for me. As I saw all these place names and names printed, these words, just as words, were images. Shortly afterwards I decided to make a project by making 39 small drawings exclusively with the names and place names mentioned in the poem. I did 2 or 3 small portraits, but didn’t continue, other priorities then entered my life and work.

In 2006, while working on the exhibition of Vassos Kapandai for the Benaki Museum, I decided, after almost thirty years, to continue what I had started. I found my notes from 1976 (?). I decided to complete that catalogue and finally made 64 pictures. The skeleton and the idea remained the same, I just added unnamed faces, e.g. gondolier, unknown poet, etc., and filled in some blanks in the first catalogue. The work consists of 64 images (12 x 12 x 1,2 cm) and is acrylic on wood.

In concluding this note I have to say something. I owe a great deal – a great deal – to Andreas Embiricos.

George Hadjimichalis

12.04.2007