“Looking for the bunnies: A visual essay on Thira by art collective Barabli”
Emerging art collective Barabli present their visual essay titled “Looking for the bunnies”. The collective examines the corrosion, reconstruction and preservation of Santorini’s identity by drawing an analogy between the island of Dr. Moreau, as presented in the work of H. G. Wells, and Santorini’s own identity.
In the work of Wells, the island is inhabited by human-like hybrid beings, a result of Dr. Moreau’s experiments on vivisection. The notion of identity is no longer considered as something that is autonomous or stable, as the boundaries separating different life forms become permeable. At the same time, the preservation of identity emerges as a theme, as human-like hybrids reclaim their original life-form after Dr. Moreau’s death. In this sense, the deconstruction of the boundaries separating different life forms, humans and the environment illuminates their deep interconnection.
The narrative of “Looking for the bunnies” revolves around an analogy between Santorini’s (Thira) identity and Dr. Moreau’s island. The corrosion of Thira’s identity is emphasized as a result of the influx of tourists during the summer months, while its reclamation process, which begins at the end of the tourist season and is ongoing throughout the rest of the year, is also highlighted.
International Rabbit Day is observed on September 24, 2016. The depiction of bunnies generates wider connotations which further support the regeneration process. Since antiquity, bunnies have been closely associated with prosperity, proliferation and rejuvenation. At the same time, the depiction of bunnies contributes to the promotion of the need for environmental preservation and conservation.
“Looking for the bunnies” was made in co-production with and with the support of gastronomic art space Oia Vineyart, which aims at the promotion of Thira’s acclaimed wine by offering wine tasting sessions of all varieties and labels of the island. At the same time, the team behing Oia Vineyart actively participate in the promotion of art by holding exhibitions and events in Thira’s village of Oia.
About Barabli Films:
Barabli Films aims at the creation of polyprismatic narratives of Greece’s multifaceted cultural wealth. Barabli Films’ associates come from various backgrounds in the areas of applied arts and art direction. Among them are: Stephan Muller a.k.a. Monsieur Brac (creative director), Vassilis Skopelitis a.k.a. Don V (photographer), Kostas Ntanis a.k.a. mr. Pink (photographer / cinematographer), Effie Bambos a.k.a. Miss Bric (visual strategist) and Aphrodite Koufagela (content editor).