Artist: Menelas

>>DISCLAIMER: CONTAINS NUDITY<<<

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(4th July 2017)

Athens-based artist Menelas was the very first artist to contribute to BALACLAVA.Q on this day one year ago (4th July 2016), it only seems fitting that we celebrate our first year by showcasing new works by Menelas.

Q: Considering you were the first ever artist on Balaclava.Q, what does this project mean to you?

A: About a year ago whilst surfing the internet I came across a call for artists that was a little bit different, calling for artwork that uses the covering of the face as a means to visually express many of the struggles that Queer Artists and people go through in their lives. Having recently at the time completed a film and photo series called The Raspberry Reich GR which I thought perfectly fitted the  Balaclava. Q’s main theme, I submitted a series of photos which were the projects first official submission. And the rest is history…

This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship with artist Stiofan O’Ceallaigh, who I consequently invited to participate in a group exhibition called Civil Disobedience in Athens, Greece.

But. Balaclava. Q isn’t only a project it is also a Network of artists and as the project grew this became more evident. Alongside, my amazement of being part of a group that now included some of my personal heroes, the network helped me come into contact with many new queer artists and forge some friendships and working relationships that I am sure will bear a lot of fruit in times to come.

The first year of Balaclava.Q has been an awesome adventure for me which has pushed me and helped me grow as an artist, but most importantly has given me the opportunity to connect with so many queer artists around the world.

In these times when the LGBTQ movement going through a more vulnerable phase I am going to offer this quote from George R.R. Martin that encapsulates the spirit of Balaclava.Q Network and what it is trying to achieve:

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.”

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It is with great pleasure to present new series by Menelas called:

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King of Sparta

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(4th July 2016)

PRESS RELEASE

Photography Exhibition: Raspberry Reich GR

Outview Film Festival 7-15 May 2015- Greek Film Archive

Plagiarism is essential, progress implies it.

It is the year 2014 Greece is under the shadow of Antonis Samaras. Things are looking grim for LGBT rights until a small group of gay men decide to take matters into their own hands.

Photographer Menelas is inspired by the infamous movie Raspberry Reich by Bruce LaBruce and brings the pink revolution to Greece in 2014. His photos comment on the political and social reality without forgetting the LGBT community itself.

The exhibition is complementing the short movie of the same title that will be shown during the festival.

Greek Film Archives, Iera Odos 48 & M.Alexandrou 134-136, Kerameikos Metro Station

CLICK HERE FOR OUTVIEW QUEER FILM FESTIVAL WEBSITE

Menelas has also submitted a video piece called ‘Keep Your Guns Clean’.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ‘KEEP YOUR GUNS CLEAN’ By Menelas Siafakas (2014)

Raspberry Reich GR

It is the year 2014 Greece is under the shadow of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Things are looking grim for gay rights until a small group of gay men decides to take matters into their own hands. This homage to the legendary Bruce LaBruce film brings a fresh view of our community’s relations to politics and the social media.

Director: Menelas

Music Composer: Morpheas Papoutsakis

Actors: Uknown*

The CIA has confirmed the identity of one of those dangerous terrorists to be Niko Deen of Lucas Entertainment

Country: Greece

Language: Greek with english subtitles

Duration: 9 minutes

Official Selections and Screenings:

Civil Disobedience: Versions of Violence, Athens, Greece. January 2015 (with alternate ending)

Outview Film Festival ,Athens, Greece. May 2015

Unharmonious Perverted Festival, Volos, Greece. June 2015

Thessaloniki International LGBT-Q Film Festival, Greece. September 2015

Berlin Porn Festival, Germany. October 2015

FICGLB Barcelona International LGBTQI Film Festival, Spain. October 2015

http://barcelonafilmfestival.org/en/2015/the-raspberry- reich-gr- 3/

Pink Screens International Film Festival Brussels, November 2015

Pop Porn Festival , Sao Paolo, Brazil, June 2016

More of Menelas’ work can be explored through his social media connections: 

Facebook and thumblr.

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All works shown here were kindly supplied by the artist.

Please ask that artist before using them elsewhere.

Thank you.