The Museum is dedicated to the work of painter Yiannis Gaitis and sculptor Gabriella Simosi, with the aim of presenting, highlighting and promoting the multifaceted artistic creation of the two creators, at a national and international level.
The Minister of Culture stated that “In 1994, I first became aware of the idea that there should be a museum of this kind. It was the then Mayor, Giorgos Poussaios, who shared his thoughts with me. A few years later, as Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, we dealt with the integration of the project and the construction of the Museum into the Operational Programme of the Ministry of Culture of the Third Community Framework 2000-2006”.
Lina Mendoni stressed that the Gaiti-Simosi Museum “fits harmoniously into the natural landscape of Ios, thanks to its architecture, which profitably metabolises all the features of traditional Cycladic architecture, to transform them into a modern building, while at the same time integrating, with insight, elements of the work of Gaitis and Simosi, embracing an obvious experiential dimension that links it inextricably to Ios”, as it “comes from the love of the creator Yiannis Gaitis for the island”. “This continuation, with her tireless and long-term effort, is ensured by Loretta Gaiti, who very quickly finds the enthusiastic acceptance of the residents and the practical material and moral support of the Municipality, as well as the encouragement of the YPPO”.
As the Minister pointed out, the Gaiti-Simosi Museum today represents a successful example of essential cultural decentralisation, an example that deserves to be modelled. Cultural decentralisation and the dissemination of culture are included in the public policies of the Region and the Ministry and are our priority. It is, however, an extremely happy moment when these policies are adopted, supported and, ultimately, expressed and sustained by the combined harmonious action of individuals and local communities. The abstract and faceless people of Haiti, the dominant white in the sculptural art of Simosi, the curved lines of the architecture of the building, the white marble of the floor and the pedestals of the compositions recall the shapes of idols, expression of a special culture that has developed here, thanks to and to the peculiar geomorphological and climatic conditions: the location, the size, the diversity and the idiosyncratic characteristics of this unique Aegean-Pelagian Polynesia”.
The construction of this exceptionally aesthetic building complex, covering an area of approximately 2,000 m2, was carried out by the Municipality of Ieton with funds from the 2000-2006 “Culture” Operational Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, conservation work was carried out with the support of the Municipality of Ieta and funding from the South Aegean Special Purpose Development Programme. The architectural project was carried out by the architects Jacques Charrat and Loretta Gaiti, who also supervised the museological study. The permanent exhibition is housed in two main buildings. The “Gaiti Building” presents works from the earliest period of the painter’s creation, as well as paintings, installations and constructions around the emblematic “small” that majestically dominate the entire space. The “Simosi Building” houses the artist’s sculptures, with the dominant colour white, as well as collages with strong surrealist elements.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs in charge of Sports Yannis Vroutsis, Deputy Minister of Health Irini Agapidakis, Cycladic MPs Katerina Monogyiou and Markos Kafouros, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, Mayor of Ieton Gikas Gikas.
The greeting from the Minister of Culture
Your Excellency Madam President of the Hellenic Republic,
It is a great joy for all of us that you are with us tonight, on this very important day for Nio. A day of joy, a day of celebration, has come to an end, as an extremely important project for the island, but also for the culture of the Cyclades. An important project with a trajectory of many years has come to the end of its construction and creation and is attributed to the Ietes, the Cyclades and the thousands of visitors to our islands.
The “Gaiti-Simosi Museum” solemnly opens its doors, thanks to the arduous and long-term efforts of the Municipality of Ieton, currently represented by friend Gikas Gikas, and Loretta Gaiti, daughter of Yiannis Gaiti and Gabriella Simosi.
I first became aware of the idea of creating this Museum in Nios in 1994, when my friend George Poussios, Mayor of the island from 1991 to 2009, shared his thoughts with me. The truth is that George, during his long tenure at the Municipality, systematically invested in Culture. During his time, the Archaeological Museum found a home, the open-air theatre “Odysseus Elytis” was built, the Folklore Museum was founded, while we collaborated closely in the promotion of the so-called “Tomb of Homer” and especially in the promotion of the prehistoric settlement of Skarkos, one of the most important settlements in the Cyclades of the third millennium. The vision of creating the cultural route “5,000 years of history in 5 kilometres” also includes the “Gaiti-Simosi” Museum, whose first Chairman of the Board of Directors was the dear Angelos Delivorias.
Later, as Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, I arranged for the construction of the Museum building to be included in the “Culture” Operational Programme of the 3rd Community Framework 2000-2006. The Gaiti-Simosi Museum is certainly much more than a shell housing emblematic works by the two creators. Situated in a location with a wide view over the Aegean, it blends harmoniously into the natural landscape of Ios thanks to its architecture, which profitably metabolises all the characteristics of traditional Cycladic architecture to transform them into a modern building, while at the same time discreetly incorporating elements of their work by Gaiti and Simosi.
What’s more, the Museum has a clear experiential dimension that inextricably links it to Ios. It is the discovery of Io by Haiti in the early 1960s, during a trip with her close friend Jean-Marie Dro. From that moment on, Gaitis and, a little later, Simosi were identified with the island. Loretta Gaiti’s decision to create a base for her parents’ work on Ios therefore has obvious emotional sources. However, if I interpret her intentions correctly, she emancipates herself and ends up giving not only the island, but the Cyclades and the Aegean, a new and great artistic landmark. To reintroduce her parents’ work to all of us, in a place that was dear to them, and, above all, to make it known, socially and geographically, to new communities and new places.
The standard little man with the round hat, the round hat and the striped suit, which Gaitis developed in countless variations and in many applications, has been reproduced so much that it is an extremely familiar figure, having also metamorphosed in the field of pop culture. An allegory of the crowded individual, it exudes irony about reality, but also tenderness for the man who is squeezed in the crowd. The little man, as a motif, also dominates the Museum and invites us to re-signalize him in today’s world, to redefine the man of the third decade of the 21st century, who is also squeezed into new, rapidly changing realities.
The Gaiti-Simosi Museum invites us to reposition this familiar figure in a new context. It also encourages us – and this, I think, is the most important thing – to look at the visual universe of both creators, Gabriella Simosi and Yiannis Gaitis, to look for similarities, to identify mutual influences, and finally to enjoy a life and work that unfold in parallel.
Madam President,
The Gaiti-Simosi Museum today represents a successful example of substantial cultural decentralization. An example worth following. A decentralization that was initially spontaneous, not systematically planned by the central structures of Civilization. And that makes it unique. It comes from the creator’s own love for the island, which Loretta Gaiti continues with her tireless and long-term efforts, which very quickly found the fervent acceptance of the inhabitants and, subsequently, the practical, material and moral support of her Municipality, but also the encouragement of the Ministry of Culture.
Cultural decentralization and the dissemination of culture are now included in our public policies and in the priorities of the Ministry. It is, however, an extremely happy moment when these policies are adopted, supported and, ultimately, expressed and realized by the combined harmonious action of individuals and local communities.
The Museum is today an integral part of the rich and varied cultural physiognomy of Ios and the Cyclades, this unique Polynesian complex of the Archipelago. The abstract and faceless little men of Haiti, the dominant white in the sculptural art of Simosi, the curved lines of the architecture of the building, the white marble of the floor and the pedestals of the compositions, recall the shapes of idols, an expression of a special culture that developed here, thanks also to the peculiar geomorphological and climatic conditions, the location, the size, the diversity and the idiosyncratic characteristics of Aegean Polynesia.
In conclusion, I would like to warmly congratulate and thank all those who dedicated effort and pain, time and resources for today’s festive moment, when the Gaiti-Simosi Museum opens its doors to the world.
Loretta Gaiti, for her persistence, which is absolutely justified by the result, all the collaborators in the conception and execution of the idea of creating the Museum and, of course, in the person of the current Mayor, over time the Municipality of Ieton for the continuous and substantial support to the enterprise.
May the Museum be well traveled to the “world, large and small”.
