Meeting Point 07: Teloglion Foundation of Arts A.U.Th.

Jeanne Veropoulou-Spiteris, Butterflies or Signals, 1980-81
Iron (support rod), coloured metal sheets in different sizes and heights (starting at 170 cm)
Jeanne and Tony Spiteris’ Donation, Teloglion Foundation’s A.U.Th. Collection

Creative description

The artwork “Butterflies or Signals” by Jeanne Spiteris was created in 1980-81. It is a metal sculpture that grows vertically and rests on a black round base. It consists of a black metal rod on the end of which are two metal sheets, folded like accordions, forming folds and depicted in relief on the card. The metal sheets, painted red and blue respectively, are in the shape of an isosceles trapezium, turned sideways, and their shape is reminiscent of butterfly wings.

The thin, tall rod, combined with the wide wings attached to its end, causes the sculpture to move, either manually or naturally by blowing wind. Although made of metal, the artwork has an elasticity of movement that gives a sense of flexibility and freedom. Its appearance is reminiscent of the wings of a butterfly or a bird, a waving flag, windmill blades, a fan or childhood crafts of folded paper, evoking pleasant and nostalgic associations.

The artwork “Butterflies or Signals” is part of a larger series of sculptures made of thin rods and metal sheets, introducing the element of natural movement. They appear in different variations of height, colour, and arrangement of wings. The artist’s interest in this series of sculptures focuses on the viewer’s interaction with the artwork and the relationship of the sculpture to the environment, whether natural or architectural. These sculptures correspond to the second phase of her work, the period 1963-76 in Paris, when she introduced the use of colour and pure geometric forms as key elements of her sculptures.

The creative description of the artwork “Butterflies or Signals” by Jeanne Veropoulou-Spiteris is the result of co-creation by the participants in Meeting Point 07: Teloglion Foundation of Arts A.U.Th.

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