Bridging Cultures
100 Years of Research of the German Archaeological Institute on Samos
Since the early beginnings of human civilisation, the Mediterranean has been an exceptionally rich contact zone between different communities in Europe, Asia and Africa. The associated exchange often acted as a particular driving force for cultural development, as can also be seen in early Iron Age Greece. On the East Aegean island of Samos, the character and significance of this inter-cultural interaction for the genesis of Greek culture can be traced particularly clearly by means of the archaeological finds that have come to light, particularly in the sanctuary of the goddess Hera, as a result of the international research work carried out by the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) over the past 100 years.
In cooperation with the German Archaeological Institute in Athens the Schwarz Foundation is taking this anniversary as an opportunity to shed light on this exciting and extremely multifaceted aspect of Samian history with an exhibition at Art Space Pythagorion, while at the same time presenting the DAI's long history of research on Samos to a wider public.
In the summer of 2026, a further exhibition is planned, where contemporary artists will pick up on the theme of archeology and the findings of the DAI, from the perspective of the present, with newly commissioned works, It will be curated by Katerina Gregos and Ioli Tzanetaki.
Curators
Download the exhibition's leaflet
The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Samos and Ikaria.
- This years exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the German Archaeological Institute's excavations on Samos and offers a unique opportunity to view the results of this long-term research project in a new light. Entitled "Bridging Cultures", the exhibition encourages reflection on the significance of cultural heritage for the world today. In the summer of 2026, a further exhibition is planned, where contemporary artists will pick up on the theme of archeology and the findings of the DAI, from the perspective of the present, with newly commissioned works, It will be curated by Katerina Gregos and ioLI Tzanetaki.
Credits
- Exhibition Design: AKA APOSTOLOU COLAKIS ARCHITECTS (Katerina Apostolou, Zoé Southam); Production, Installation, Transport: Christos Georgountzos, Konstantinos Bezerianos; Graphic Design: Bend; Artistic Advisors: Katerina Gregos, Ioli Tzanetaki; Mediators: Deborah Orfanidis, Sarah Petersen; Media Relations: Maria Tsolaki
