PRESENTATION: 5 Elements (Part I)

Continuing their collaboration for a fifth consecutive year, dreamideamachine.resident and dreamideamachine AMKE, together with Desmos Gallery—part of the historic bookstore through which the entirety of Greek, and not only Greek, intellectual life passed during the 1980s and 1990s—are organizing in February 2026 the group exhibition “5 Elements,” featuring 35 artists, several of whom attended the workshop “Introduction to Contemporary Art Practices”

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Artists Archive

In an era in which nature is undergoing a very difficult period due to multiple human interventions, the reckless use of natural resources, the destruction caused by all of the above, and especially the changes affecting both nature itself and the climate, the exhibition “5 Elements” focuses on the five fundamental elements according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and proposes a deep reconnection with the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it attempts to respond to the contemporary “wounds” caused by excessive human intervention. Wood (Green/Rising), Fire (Red/Joy), Earth (Yellow/Stability), Metal (Silver/Beauty), and Water (Black/Inwardness) become the artists’ structural materials. Through the creative and controlling cycle of the five elements, the works function both as a form of protest and as a means of healing and balancing the vital energy, Qi. At the same time, the works create a bridge—a living dialogue—between nature, the universe, and humankind, reminding us that art, like the elements of nature, can be profoundly therapeutic.

Participating Artists: Leda Alexopoulou, Giota Balomenou, Dora Capetan Lamprou, Athina Chatzi, Fenia Chatzimixail, Mairy Dagiada, Lila Didou, Aurerila Dimaresi, Danae Dimoutziki, Thalassini Douma, Irene Dounavi, Agapi Fesatidou-Psarraki, Eirini Florou, Josephine Fyrigou, Kiriaky Gaglia, Yiouli Garofalaki, Maria Georgiadou, Kallirroi Ilia, Loukia Kaila, Yiannis Kaminis, Vaggelis Karamanlis, Maria Kelaidi, Markella Kompitsa, Dimitris Lempesis, Betty Lyriti, Olga Mantzourani-Andrikopoulou, Stathis Mavridis, Theodosia Papadopoulou, Dina Politi, Vangelis Polyzos, Athena Stamati, Dimitria Tziomaka, Marina Vlachaki, Grigoria Vryttia, Maria Zygomala

Photo left: Leda Alexopoulou, Keep walking 1, 2025, print, 28Χ17Χ15 cm. Photo right: Grigoria  Vryttia, Jellyfish, 2021, repurposed fabrics, dimensions variable

Info: Curator: Efi MIchalarou, Galerie Desmos,  14 Rue Vandamme, Paris, France, Duration: 14-20/2/2026, Days & Hours: Sat 15:00-20:00, Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00

Media Partners: OPENARTGALLERY,  independent.gr & Artviews