Clay sorceress Diane Alexandre inaugurates the Insider Collective with her ceramics exhibition Aeaea

ABOUT YOU

What do you do?

I am a sculptor and céramicist with a background in literature and graphic design.

About the Ceramics Scene in Athens — Sum up how the Athens creative scene is different from other cities you’ve lived in. 

I feel it is smaller and younger and has this NYC feeling of constant opportunities. People gather easily around an idea, and they make it happen. You feel like you know people and they know you. There is a sense of friendly community.

Athens to you is  messy, affectionate, and poetic.

Describe your artistic process. Do you engage with other forms of creative expression, and if so, which?

Drawing and writing are 2 parallel early stages of creation for me. I start with the concept or the shape, but then I always work words and sketches together. I also consult the many archeological and mythological books I have collected over the years. I write poetry; I examine nature; I collect samples from everywhere I go; I read any kind of book…

Do you have rituals or superstitions before placing things in the kiln? 

I shape a little koukouvaia and place it on top of my kilns for protection.

Where do you head to for some creative inspo in the city?

If I have 2 hours in front of me, I go to the Archeological Museum and always find my inspiration. The Cycladic Museum as well as the old Benaki are also a must for me. But if I have 4 hours, I will walk to Imitos, sit high up on a big rock, and listen to the forest.

What art pieces do you collect? Are they functional objects or abstract sculptures? 

I collect natural shapes like twigs, rocks, or seashells, and works from my fellow ceramic artists. It does not matter to me if they are described as “functional” or not. To me, anything can have a function and then lose it. It just depends on what you need to see.

What is a current favourite piece you own?

I have a pair of Flying Snakes candle holders from Camille Cornillon. The very first ones she made. I treasure them. I also love our photograph of Nancy Fouts “Owl and Butterfly.” I like to surround myself with wildlife. I feel they watch over me.

MORE ABOUT ATHENS

Where do you live? What do you see from your balcony? 

From my roof I see Imitos mountain and in between 2 buildings, the sun setting on the Acropolis. I live on Lycabettus hill.

Your favourite thing about Athens? And your worst thing about Athens?

 I love walking around. There are so many beautiful things to see. I love the blend of architectural styles and the big parks in the city. Filopappou is my favourite. My least favorite is the intense traffic at any time of the day.

Can you describe a quintessentially Athenian sight, sound, and smell? 

The smell of petrichor after a summer rain and the sun filtering the jacaranda around Zappeio.

What has surprised you about Athens as a city?

 The affectionate ways of Athenians towards animals. Everybody will inquire about a stray dog and ask him “Pou pass?” Or leave food and water for street cats.

YOUR FAVE ATHENIAN PICKS

Three galleries/cultural spaces every visitor or Athenian should visit: The Archαeological Museum, Intermission Gallery, and Melas Martinos Gallery. But I have many more! Athens is rich in culture.

Your idea of a perfect evening would be: a walk downtown, a small taverna dinner, an open-air cinema, and a last drink at Mingus Bar or Jazz in Jazz.

Your ideal Sunday afternoon: a very long lunch with close friends at Nicholas Tis Skinoussa by the coast, a skinny dip in Limanaki at sunset, and a late ride back feeling dizzy and sleepy.

City’s best-kept secret? I won’t be the one to break it 🙂 A secret is better savoured when self-discovered.

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