In a fusion of art and science, Ioannis Sidiropoulos presents the exhibition-performance “Sound Motion and the Brain” on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November at Melbourne’s Southbank.
The event revolves around the artist’s doctoral journey in data-driven research, providing attendees with a sensory experience that highlights the artist’s skills in creating unique artistic expressions through science-based data.
“I feel incredibly happy that all this work has come to life,” said Ioannis Sidiropoulos. Neos Kosmos.
A ‘window’ into the world of neuroscience through the performing arts
In his exhibition-display, the Greek artist offered a ‘glimpse’ into the fascinating world of brain neuroscience through the lens of performance art.
Ioannis’s research investigates how music and environmental sounds influence the formation of movements during movement improvisation, collecting data from 11 participants’ responses to 15 auditory and musical stimuli.
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
moment of performance. All photos: supplied
I have transformed this data into an exhibition of images, including melodic range spectrograms, motiongrams, and neuroimages of brain areas activated during experimental procedures, as well as an improvised movement-dance performance.
According to Sidiropoulos, this production, designed to emphasize both the artistic and scientific dimensions of the research, serves as a source of knowledge for the audience, revealing “similarities and differences in people’s movements corresponding to each sound”. Does.
The performance featured a solo improvised dance and movement performance by the Greek artist, drawing inspiration from data collected during his research, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Finally, Sidiropoulos thanked his academic advisors, especially “Dr.” Expressed his gratitude towards. Roger Alsop and Dr. Bradford Moffat, who, with their constant guidance and support over the years, made significant contributions to the completion of the creative component of my doctoral research project.
He also thanked his friends, family, experiment participants and all those who played a daily role in the successful completion of his doctoral studies.
An educational journey into the world of art influenced by Greek traditions
The exhibit “Sound Motion and the Brain” marked an important milestone in Ioannis Sidiropoulos’s academic journey.
As he points out, the pandemic interrupted his research at a time when COVID-related restrictions coincided with a ‘creative and important moment’ in his life, resulting in a temporary halt to his research. .
Sidiropoulos said, “Despite the adversity and challenges, the excitement is heightened by the fact that I am here with my team and professors, and the work is now ready to be revealed to the public.”
An actor, dancer, filmmaker, teacher, writer and doctoral researcher at the University of Melbourne – Victorian College of the Arts, he earned scholarships from both the University of Melbourne and the AG Leventis Foundation in Greece, then graduated with distinction. Higher Drama School in Athens, during this time he began to wonder “what happens in our brain when we hear similar sounds and music and yet move in completely different ways?” – a curiosity that sparked inspiration for his current research.
Born in Kastoria, a city in northern Greece in the Western Macedonia region, and raised with the dances of Western Macedonia, the versatile artist says that “movement” has always been a part of his life, with traditional dances shaping the “rhythm” of his body. Are. ,
Her love of traditional Greek dance led her to study physical theater in England, where she earned a Master of Arts in Physical Acting and Performance from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom.
In addition to teaching drama, physical theater and creative writing in secondary education in Greece and the United Kingdom, she has also conducted experiential workshops on dance-theatre improvisation. Most recently, he taught at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.
Since 2010, he has been engaged in the performing arts as an actor, dancer, filmmaker, artistic producer, director in various countries, including Greece, England, Scotland, Sweden, the United States and Australia.
His involvement extends to participating in performing arts and screen-dance film festivals globally.
Seizing opportunities globally
After graduating from drama school in Athens, Sidiropoulos joined an international summer program in the United States under the guidance of director Robert Wilson, which included seminars and lectures by conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramovich, to pursue global opportunities. His determination was enhanced.
At an open-day event, he displayed his work in the presence of Lady Gaga and celebrities such as Hugh Jackman and Winona Ryder.
During his doctoral journey in Australia and despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Ioannis Sidiropoulos maintained his restless artistic spirit.
She also released her first poetry collection in Greece, titled “Human Relationships” (Ανθρώπων Σέέσης), which will be presented at the 2023 Greek Book Fair at the Greek Center for Contemporary Culture in Melbourne this weekend, 25–26 November. ,