ICONOGRAPHY COURSES
AT THE ORTHODOX ACADEMY OF CRETE
The art of holy icons is a precious treasure of the orthodox Christian tradition. Upon an icon theology meets aesthetics in an unequalled way. The theological teaching of the Church is being translated into the language of beauty; the icon becomes “book for [even] the illiterates” (St. John of Damascus).
Since June 1995, the OAC Iconography Workshop cultivates this art by painting icons and also by informing groups visiting the OAC on iconography. The Workshop now extends its activities by providing iconography courses to groups from Greece and abroad.
These courses aim at offering a general orientation and a first acquaintance with Byzantine art. The participants will learn the basic techniques and will become familiar with the various expressions of orthodox iconography (portable icons, frescos, mosaics, etc.).
The technique of the portable icon painting: The main emphasis will be on the portable icon painting. The participants will learn and practise the techniques that are being applied during the distinct phases of its creation (preparing the wood panel, drawing with pencil, gilding, icon painting).
Lectures: Parallel to the practical section of their training, the participants will get information on the theoretical framework of Byzantine iconography. The OAC scientific advisors, but also academics and other specialists, invited especially for these courses, will deliver lectures on the theology of icons and the history of iconography. The lectures will be supported by power point presentations and other teaching aids.
Excursions: During the courses, the participants will visit places directly connected to the hagiographic tradition of the Orthodox Church, as it was experienced on the island of Crete. They will have the opportunity to admire and study masterpieces of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art; many of them are to be found in their ‘natural place’, in the churches and in the monasteries.
Possible destinations are the Holy Monasteries of Gonia (Kolympari), Chrysopigi (Chania), Gouverneto and Agia Triada Tsangarolon (Akrotiri); the Churches of the Archangel Michael -Rotonda (Episkopi), Agios Titos, Agios Minas and Agia Katerina (Herakleion), but also the various Byzantine churches of Kantanos and the Workshop for Icon Conservation (Department of Byzantine Antiquities, Chania).
Duration, accommodation, board: The OAC courses will take place in two ways:
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For people staying in western Crete: Once a week for one year.
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For groups from other regions of Greece and from abroad: Intensive courses of 7-10 days. The participants will stay at the OAC (single or double rooms, all with own bathroom) and enjoy the traditional Cretan cuisine offered there (three meals and two coffee breaks per day).
At the end of the course, the participants will receive a certificate from the OAC confirming their participation.
For further information (dates, prices) and registration please get in contact with the iconographer Konstantina Stefanaki (tel. +302824022245, +3022500 and e-mail: oac@otenet.gr).