The Luminous Interval: The D. Daskalopoulos Collection - Tapa dura

The Luminous Interval accompanies the Guggenheim Museums eponymous exhibition of works drawn from the Dimitris Daskalopoulos collection. Daskalopouloss collecting practices are inspired by the writings of the Greek philosopher Nikos Kazantazakis, who envisioned life as the luminous interval bridging the twin abysses of birth and death. During this time, struggle and distintegration are necessary prerequisites to creative production and renewal. Balancing renderings of chaotic fragmentation with forms defined by geometric containment and restraint, the works explore the coexistence of hope and despair within the human condition with a particular focus on concepts of alienation, trauma, cultural identity and the human body in states of fecundity and decay. Encompassing works by more than thirty artists in a broad range of media, the result is a survey of some of the most salient artistic developments of the past few decades. The fully illustrated catalogue features an interview with Daskalopoulos, critical essays by philosopher Simon Critchley and art critic Brian Sholis, and short texts on all of the exhibited works.