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HIPPOLYTUS IDES (Ottoman Empire, Black Sea, Mezifounta 1903-2001 / act: New York & Athens) |
Hippolytus Ides was born Hippolytus D. Theocharides in 1903 in Mezifounta near Amaseia of the Black Sea. When his father, a professor of Greek literature at Anatolia College of Mezifounta, was executed by the Turks in September 1921, Ides migrated to the United States of America and settled in New York, where he lived for 50 years. In 1971 he came to Greece and since then lived in Athens. § From 1924 to 1927 he studied architecture, painting and decoration at the Design School in Rhode Island, New York University and the Art Students League in New York. Even then, his work was awarded by the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design and sketches of his were published in the Pencil Points magazine. In 1931-1932 he travelled and worked in Europe - France, Italy, Austria and Finland. Since 1932 he exhibited his work repeatedly at Garland Gallery and Karl Freund Arts Inc. in New York , which at that time showcased the other Greek painter Jean Xceron. In 1937 he participated in the 16 th International Exhibition of Watercolor, Pastels, Design and Monotype at the Art Institute of Chicago, alongside Bonnard, Dufy, Derain, Chagall, Kandinsky, Klee, Nolde and Picasso. He also presented personal exhibitions at Trito Mati Gallery, Athens and at Sylloges, Athens (1984). § Hippolytus ides passed away in 2001 in Athens. [Megakles Rogakos 12/2008]"The exhibition of Ides (Hippolytus Theocharides) at 'Sylloges' is retrospective in nature, and presents various phases of the artist's long career. In the main, however, are displayed works from one of his last phases, which in my opinion has special interest. In fact, Ides entire contribution in painting is characterized by internal cohesion. What seems to concern the painter is especially the multiple compositional structures. The subject is analyzed and fragmented by occupying the entire picture surface and almost on the foreground. There has always been - as now - spontaneity and automation in the formulation and, in the spirit of a surrealistic 'ecriture automatique'. The painter extracts during the painting process the content of his imagination, which is actually subconscious stock. Inspired by the same data as described in the composition, and the structure is controlled in every respect. The surrealistic matrix that is ultimately formed presents a coherent design and is characterized by wonderful color tonality. The painter's inventiveness is unlimited and tends to become labyrinthine and clustery, without ever straying from compositional structure, which is the real 'backbone' of his works. From a purely technical viewpoint Ides belongs to the circle of surrealists with a complexual - enigmatic tinge, which includes artists such as Miró or Vilfredo Lam." [Dr. Stelios Lydakis translated by Megakles Rogakos]
"Hippolytus Ides († 2001) and Sophia Poimenidou († 1998) were very courteous people. There were profoundly educated and had an in depth knowledge of art - both visual art and music. Hippolytus had an excellent knowledge of music and even kept a remarkable collection of musical instruments (in some cases Sophia Poimenidou lent Leonidas Kavakos a special violin). There was a charm about Ides' circle of friends in New York - they knew how to enjoy good music and good food. When they returned to Greece they confined themselves at home in Zografos area (17 Dimokratias Street). Ides was painting, while Sophia played in concerts. They very much loved one another. Although they missed many of America's amenities, their love united them and they shared their life with a rare feeling of patience for each other, even at an advanced age. It is worth getting in contact with Mr Takis Seiras, violinist of the Greek State Orchestra, who knew them well." [Leonidas Kavakos to Megakles Rogakos 03/04/2009]
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
LYDAKIS, STELIOS Hippolytus Ides: Painting Exhibition 1984 Sylloges, Athens
