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ever, which was a brilliant view of the ruins of Olympia. It was of such
competence artistically that it was quiet extraordinary.
A rehearsal of the Happening was underway with Olaf van Broekhoven (NED),
Martyn de Grut (NED), Jan Patak (CZE), Vadim Cherepanovos (LAT) and Matthew
Kwok (HKG), creating a gymnastic display. A "top" girl was needed, so Olympic
double/silver medallist gymnast Gina Gogean (ROM) was invited to be involved.
Unfortunately, she declined the offer to the first rehearsal, which everyone
thought was not exactly in the right spirit. So, we had a dilemma: no girl to top the
pyramid. One of the guys asked "How about Panagiota?" After all, Panagiota was
ballet trained so when asked by the guys, she said, "Yes"! Therefore, in rehearsal,
the first human pyramid was built and there gracing the top flew Panagiota!
The workshop participants watching were very impressed at her athleticism.
At this point, IOC member Sam Ramsamy (RSA) and his lovely wife came by
and gave great encouragement to the event. Sam announced he had a penchant
for drawing, so he joined in the class. It is very important for the FAW to have
involvement from the lecturers as well as participants. It adds a new dimension
to the proceedings and confirms my belief that the FAW of the IOA is for
everybody. Art for all.
While others were painting and sculpting with Panagiota, I was busy
rehearsing another section of the forthcoming Happening. Four participants,
two males, two females, created a Javelin scenario, therefore combining sport
and art. In the evening, the FAW was utilised by Rosalin Carrington (SWZ) for
the literature and poetry workshop. Panagiota and I attended and it was superb.
With the result of the evening, Rosalin, herself an accomplished poet was able
to create some poems for the Happening. I noted that a considerable input
in the evening came from Will Glenwright (AUS) and James McAlistair (GBR).
William and James were turning out to being all round participants, giving their
all to every aspect of the session. A joy to observe, after all the Academy is a place
of action, mentally and physically. "Kalos Kagahos".
President Filaretos suggested to me a scheme whereby everyone in the
academy, artistic or otherwise, should be involved in the FAW. This project should
be located not in the studio but in the very accessible canteen. With this brilliant
idea in mind, Panagiota and I set to and put up a large canvass (2 x 1.5 metres)
in the canteen with a design of a "family tree" on it. The surface being white.
I announced in the lecture hall that pens would be available for everyone
to make their mark in about five minutes over the next few days. It proved to be
a popular form of individual expression for everybody. This excellent "up market
souvenir" was retained for the Academy archive.
A day of frantic working of sculpture and painting ensued. Matthew Kwok
(HKG) and Walter Brenner (GUA) finished their large masterpieces in time
for the exhibition, which occurred on the same evening as the Fine Art
Happening. This caused difficulties for Panagiota and myself as organisers,
as we were due to be here, there and everywhere. Suffice to say everything
was ready "Greek time" and at seven o'clock, President Filaretos arrived
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