Nelly Sfakianaki
architecture/space/memory/ scale/

The way we perceive the space, as well as its potential, is not a matter of size but instead, a matter of relevance and scale. Understanding the literal as well as the metaphorical meaning of space depends on the way we integrate ourselves within it and as a result how small or large we decide each time to be.  Nevertheless, the term ‘space’ is being used in both literal and metaphorical terms to describe a continuous area which is free, possibly limitless and available; no matter whether the term is being used to describe the galaxy or a tiny squared room. As a matter of fact, I remember myself from a very early age, observing the spatial characteristics of the environments I was experiencing.  I recall memories from my childhood and I can clearly understand how the spatial patterns and motifs around me have stigmatized not only my early days of living but also my adulthood, personality and career development.

I always have that vivid image of myself looking deeply into the interior and exterior surfaces of the Elementary School I went to. The materiality and essence of the exposed concrete along with the strong orange coloured chairs and doors was such a strong experience that subliminally penetrated my perception. Also, the minimal and stocky theatre of Athens College theatre, as well as the contemporary design of its facades and lighting, played similarly a crucial role in giving voice to the ability evolving from our originalities.

It was the year 1988, when I was 8 and amazed by the ‘Runner’, a contemporary glass sculpture in Omonia Sq. At that time, Omonia Square was round - shaped and people could drive around it with their cars.
I remember having my head out of the car window when my mother showed me the newly done glass sculpture by a contemorary artist named Varotsos. Staring at the glass sculpture, I started questioning the qualities of the enormous figure which stood so brightly at the middle of the square. I am not sure whether it was the scale, the materiality or its shape that kept my eyes on it and remained motionless.

Ten years later, the very same artist entered my world and started defining each and every element of it. We fell in love and eventually got married and had a baby girl.  At that time the notion of size did not exist. Neither did the notion of logic or the relationship between space and time. I was blinded by my inner power to create; a motivational strength evolving purely from my innate world. Looking back, I see a 19 year old woman living in a timeless present, holding the universe in her hands as if it had been an orange coloured orange. Everything was happening at very high speeds. My dreams had been coming true in very intense and tremendous rhythms that very often were hard to follow. I received my Bachelor in Architecture in the UK and then got transferred at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki to complete my studies.

Studying Architecture, being Costas’s wife, meaning travelling around the world for his art exhibitions, and raising a child were three roles hard to run simultaneously.

When still being a student, I collaborated with my husband in redesigning the central square of Rentis. A few years later, we designed together our house in the island of Aegina. Since 2006, this became our permanent residency; an ultimate “slow-down, switch-off” way of living. The city symptoms of  living too fast started fading away, bringing into the surface changing attitudes such as doing everything as well as possible, instead of as fast as possible. The new location of our hometown introduced a new space and scale. Automatically, these set up new relationships between the environment, the people and the nature. It is about quality over quantity in everything from work to food to parenting. City life has people in a continuous motion. Instead, rural life puts man on stillness. Man is able to slow down and observe. Aegina thought me how to be comfortable with slowness. It literally retrained my body and mind. The greatest lesson learned is that we, as human beings, are strong. Once one decides to be strong, he is. Within ourselves we carry the power of the universe; the power of understanding, following and accomplishing our dreams. For me, this power constitutes a moment of magic. Once the essence of time and space is lost, we are left behind with a purer form of ourselves, wills and passions. Being focused, faithful and true to ourselves can help us succeed.

This is my small manifestation. Whenever you hold this orange-colored orange you have to squeeze it, otherwise it will flip over and let you go.

Photography: Konstantinos Kontos