On May 24, 2023, I had the honor of presenting “Argumentative Co-existence,” a multidisciplinary performance at the Neorion Art Gallery in Greece. This innovative event seamlessly fused poetry and painting, creating a dynamic interplay between verbal and visual art forms. At the heart of the performance was a unique “poetry and painting in motion” drum, serving as both a literal and metaphorical canvas for expression. The drum’s rhythmic beats provided a sonic backdrop, amplifying the dialogue between the spoken word and live painting.

This performance was deeply personal for me. After spending ten continuous years in New York, I felt an urgent necessity to reconnect and collaborate with artists from Greece, the country where I grew up and which prepared me for my artistic career. It was my way of bridging the artistic influences of my past with the experiences I had gained abroad.

The performance also featured original compositions that I played, further enriching the sensory experience. The talented artist Dimitre Veltsistas added a powerful dimension by reading his original poems, amplifying the connection between the spoken word and the visual art unfolding before the audience. This collaborative effort was made even more profound through the contributions of fine artist Marina Koutsospyrou, whose live painting brought the entire performance to life. Together, we invited the audience to witness the birth of art through the confluence of conflicting yet harmonious creative forces, epitomizing the concept of argumentative co-existence.

A truly unexpected and moving moment occurred when Pelos Antonakos, a lawyer in the audience, spontaneously stood up and read an essay by the renowned poet Menelaos Lapathiotis. His impromptu contribution added depth to the performance, seamlessly bridging past and present while enriching the artistic dialogue.

The beautiful moments of the project were captured by photographer Dimitrios Tsamis, whose striking images beautifully encapsulate the fusion of music, painting, and poetry that defined “Argumentative Co-existence.”