Today, Tuesday, June 11, just two days before his World Premiere at the Herodeion, one of the most influential, bold and meaningful artists of our time, the Anohni welcomed journalists to his hotel, under the Acropolis.
This is a one-of-a-kind concert and we are fortunate to have it presented this year at the Herodes Atticus Conservatory as part of Athens Epidaurus Festival.
With disarming honesty and with great sincerity he said, among other things:
I feel very happy and a little anxious to give this concert by him under the Acropolis, in the Herodeion and I don’t think I have done anything important to deserve this honor, but on Thursday night I will do my best for this special appearance.
I’m looking forward to tonight. The process of art is to create communication within a community. I believe in circular systems and not hierarchical ones – circular ones where everyone says the same thing to everyone else. Thus a field of interaction and communication is created between all of us. The goal, after all, is to get together to talk and offer each other, wherever we start.
When asked how art can interact with the important issues of our time, he answered that many believe, avoiding the truth, that the worst will come later. In this spirit they try to take what they can now, because they think that if the worst comes, they will die. But the worst is here!
By the end of the century 50% of life species will disappear from the planet. It is sad but not irreversible. We can take a deep breath, really understand this, and save through our art and actions as much as we can.
When asked about his relationship with Diamanda Galás, Anohni replied that he appreciated him a lot and praised him for his attitude towards life. He was one of her teachers and she is one of the few artists in America today who speaks the truth, who insists on the truth even if it pays a price. And although Diamanda Galás is a tough character, with all the tragedies that happened to her in life, she is at the same time true and honest above all. In a question asked about his relationship with her Lou Reed he answered that she was a great inspiration and support to him and pushed him to express himself in terms of his identity and artistically and while he was a complex character at the same time he was a warm, warm heart that man with a sense of humor and owe him a lot.
He talks about the lucky situation of being legendary Marina Abramović the one to top this amazing show! They are good friends and since Abramovic is going to Athens to attend the concert, the Anohnicontacted him and asked him to perform the first concert of his world tour.
Finally, when asked what love means to him, he replied that love is a creation but love can also lead us astray.
Please note that this is the first time Anohni will perform live in public after 7 years of absence from worldwide live tours and performances.