The Art4Sea Art Exhibition was successfully held in Alonissos on 27 and 28 June 2025, gathering cultural institutions, local residents, visitors and environmental organizations.
After the successful display, held in Gozo (Malta) in early June, the ART4SEA journey continued with a stop on the Greek island of Alonissos.
The event was officially opened by Ms. Vicky Drouga, from Atlantis Consulting, who introduced the project and emphasized the connection between the initiative and the island’s cultural heritage.
The inauguration of the exhibition saw the attendance of Mr. Alexandros Anagnostou, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Sports, Education and Tourism of the Municipality of Alonissos, Ms. Zetta Makri, Member of Parliament for the Magnesia Regional Unit, and Mr. Spyridon Takos, Principal of the Alonissos Primary School. They all expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the project’s goals and values, praising the educational impact of art into the everyday life of the school environments and the engagement with the local communities.
Furthermore, Dr. Fabio Bruno, director of 3D Research and coordinator of Art4Sea, spoke about the scope of the program, its multidisciplinary collaborations, and the role of marine cultural landscapes in supporting the sustainable development of Mediterranean Islands. He also highlighted the role of new media in promoting accessibility and interactivity with audiences.
Finally, Mr. Lucenzo Tambuzzo, Artistic Director of the project from iWorld, discussed the curatorial approach and the creative process through which the artists engaged with the island.
During the first day, three physical artworks, integrated into the public space of Alonissos, were presented in Patitiri, the main port of the island.
The first step of the exhibition took place in the courtyard of the Alonissos Primary School, with the presentation of “Life Synchrony”, a mural by Rame13 which celebrates the sea as home and source of life, inviting us to protect biodiversity and rediscover our sacred bond with nature. The artwork aims to speak directly to children, by using vivid colors and illustrative elements, and strengthens students’ connection with nature and environmental awareness.
Then, the visitors moved to the area in front of the Town Hall, where the sculpture “Aetas”, by Micol Cornali was displayed. An underwater sculpture that unites myth and waste: Aetas rises from the sea to remind us that even what is lost can become the seed of renewal. This work symbolizes rebirth and reconnection with the marine environment, conveying a message of hope and transformation. The sculpture is set to be placed underwater near Glyfa Beach, where it will serve as an artificial reef, bringing new life to the seabed.
The evening culminated at the port of Patitiri, with the presentation of the sculpture “Blue Diver” by Anna Torre, a marble piece celebrating the diver as explorer, transformed by their contact with the sea: a fluid body that reminds us of our deep connection to the ocean and symbolically links the act of observing nature with the responsibility to protect it.
The second day of the exhibition took place in the Old Town of Alonissos, at the Knowledge Awareness Center (KAC), where the digital artworks were showcased:
- “Blue Horizon” by Ada Johnsson, a short documentary that gives voice to the people of Alonissos, telling the story of their deep connection with the sea: stories of life, work, and care that reveal the ocean as identity, home, and shared responsibility.
- A VR animation by Ioulia Marouds, dedicated to the Pinna Nobilis, ancient guardian of the sea: reef sounds, digital fragments, and scanned shells merge in a sensory journey that invites us to imagine a possible return of underwater life.
- “Through the Current”, by Timaeus, an animation that intertwines a pirate ballad with the rebirth of Alonissos’s protected sea: a poetic journey through memory, voice, and biodiversity, where a history of exploitation gives way to nature’s regenerative power.
- “Evening Chorus” by Leon Butler is a virtual reality sound installation that transforms a sea urchin into an acoustic sculpture: an immersive experience where ambient and real underwater sounds reveal the hidden ecology of the deep and the sonic vitality of marine biodiversity.
The day culminated with the presentation of the impressive sculpture “Chapel of Gaya” by Michal Trpák, exhibited in the courtyard of KAC. A large head made of metal pipes, glass and mosaic that opens like an underwater temple, where light and matter blend to reflect on the sacred link between humanity and the ocean.
On this occasion, Mr. Panagiotis Anagnostou, Mayor of Alonissos, emphasized the role of art as a medium for communicating the island’s core values.
The event also featured contributions from several key figures from both governmental institutions and business sector, including Mr. Christos Triantopoulos, Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Christos Boukoros, Deputy Minister of Digital Governance, and Mr. Angelos Maglis, founder of Atlantis Consulting, who highlighted how Alonissos represents a source of inspiration, standing as an example of balance between natural beauty and community values.
These two days represented an opportunity to spark a living dialogue between artists, nature and the people of Alonissos, reminding that art can protect, inspire awareness and bring people together. Alonissos was not merely the host of a series of artistic events, but it became a work of art itself. From the sea to the schoolyards, and from immersive digital narratives to sculptures that meet the waves, art gave voice to the sea, to memory, to responsibility, and to hope.
In the weeks ahead, the official launch of the digital virtual exhibition will take place in Vlorë, Albania, on July 21st. The project will conclude in mid-September on the island of Ustica (Italy), where visitors will not only have the opportunity to explore the artworks and the digital virtual platform through the island’s Digital Centre, but also to attend the ART4SEA Grand Event, a vibrant celebration featuring performances, screenings, and interactive activities with the participation of the local community.
