top of page
DIVA(eye)DEAD:
Diva(eye)ded is Lykourgos Porfyris’ research commissioned by Atopos CVC for the exhibition Unboxing Callas at the Greek National Opera. In the exhibition he presented 3 self-portraits by Maria Calas and one recorded interview with the French collector Anna Charlotte Simon who’s the owner of Cala’s self-portraits. In this interview Anna and Lykourgos talked about the story behind the collected paintings. The works are exhibited together with an screen and a pair of headphones where the audience could listen to the interview.
​
Maria Callas has been one of the most legendary opera singers and she has become an icon not only for the music but also for the show biz industry. There have been many rumors, stories, legends, and urban legends about her life and career. Taking a closer look at these stories it’s difficult to tell which story is true and which is not. Most of the times these stories are presenting Callas as a very strong person and a perfectionist.
​
Diva(eye)ded is an unbelievablel story presenting a more vulnerable side of Maria Callas focusing on her low vision. Lykourgos Porfyris, who is visually impaired in this work he is questioning the stereotypical depiction of a blind artist who is occupied with visual arts.
​
The Story Behind the Self Portraits:
Maria Cala’s known passion for painting hasn’t been only as a viewer, she has also attempted to paint herself. During the peak of her career (1954-62) Callas has experimented with painting and drawing. Due to her low vision, she early understood that she couldn’t depict what she really wanted to illustrate on canvas. Contra to art critiques, Callas thought of her paintings as unworthy and trashy. Most of Calla’s drawings and paintings cannot be found. It is said that most of the time she was instantly destroying her own creations after being disappointed from the result.
​
Only three self-portraits of Maria Calas have been saved thanks to Calla’s maid Bruna Lupoli. According to Anna Charlotte Simon the paintings have been found in the toilet bin and underneath Calla’s bed under a chess box.
The paintings have been photographed but Anna Charlotte Simon asked the artist to not show them online.
bottom of page