Concept of ANAMNESIS
A site-specific, multidisciplinary, participatory performance in celebration of sacred spaces. A methodology, a contemporary interactive ritual that blends the arts, mythology, history of religion, and archeology, aiming to activate remembrance of the quests of the soul originally derived from these sites in Antiquity.
It is an invitation to witness and feel the hidden values that are deeply rooted in the archeological site via a harmonious dance with history and mythology, seeking to awaken imagination and sensitivity, to achieve unity with its cultural heritage, nature, and ourselves.
Anamnesis combines multiple expressive media and aims to activate different fields of perception. Anamnesis refers to mythology and history to explore human existence now, increase awareness of human potential, and question the self-imposed limitations of our ideas about our being and nature itself.
Without any intention of "reviving" but aiming to coexist with the archeological site, Anamnesis is a methodology that co-creates conditions of synchronicity so that the thread of art continues with an uninterrupted evolutionary course to better humanity, in which the Greek spirit plays a decisive role.
The motivational force of "Anamnesis" is the Platonic theory of Remembrance, the philosophical concept that we humans possess innate knowledge which is/are called “idea(s)" that exist in the heavenly realms. We can access this wisdom by remembering or recollecting memories that are depicted in archetypal movements, sounds, forms, and words.
By merging performance art with ancient wisdom, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and science, Anamnesis aims to heighten the awareness of human existence, increase the realization of human potential, and challenge the collective self-imposed limits about our origins, our relationship with the existing world / the cosmos and the role of humankind in it.
Apostolia Papadamaki, the artistic director of Anamnesis, and her colleagues compose a unique palimpsest of performative acts in each archeological site combining multiple tools of expression, in direct and harmonious response with Nature, activating different levels of awareness, and exploring seen and unseen realms of reality.
Using the specificity of the multidimensional archaeological site, the performance simultaneously occurs in the present and the past engages the viewer's sensory perception, invites them to enter the collective memory, and creates a mystical performative experience. Thus allowing us to explore the states of harmony and vibration of our collective memory, how our consciousness flows from one person to another, and how an invisible power related to the spirit keeps us connected to the source of creation.
The original performances of Anamnesis received unanimous approval from the Central Archaeological Council of Greece and in cooperation with the Ephorate of Antiquities of every site.
Anamnesis performances have been specially designed for the Archaeological Site of Delphi, the Sanctuary of Cabeiri in Lemnos, the Archaeological Site of Delos, the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, the Temple of Epicurious Apollo, Ancient Zone, and the Minoan Palace of Zakros.
All produced by Quasi Stellar NGO and in co-production with the following public bodies:
Ministry of Culture and Sports, All Greece One Culture, E.O.T. Ephorates of Antiquities: East Attica, Ilia, Cyclades, Evros, Lasithi, Lesvos, Phokidos. Regions: Attica, Western Peloponnese, South Aegean, Crete. Municipalities: Lavrio, Andritsaina, Mykonos, Alexandroupolis, Lasithi, Delphi.