Revival of Linear B


Vitim Kruglikov (+)
Professor of Philosophy, Moscow

Revival of the protohellenic syllabic script “Linear B”

Nikos Samartzidis’ calligraphic painting converses – through the collective memory – with the idea of “energy centers” or Jaspers ” axis – time ” … It is in such primarily ” axial times ” that the ” energy centers ” were born and created magical magnets of spiraling human evolution. Some are still vibrating full of energy today, some were transformed into human history after leaving behind them traces – lumps of solidified volcanic magma – which in their present expressions become luminous, dictating motion to the painter’s hand…

This immediate experience is captured by the artist, transubstantiated through the poetry of Kavafy, Seferis and Elytis and, using the color of the poetic treasure, chisels ecstatically the symbols of the Cretan-Mycenaean “Linear B” through a triumphant denial of the “visible” and of ” time “…

Passing our fingertips over these inexplicable symbols that resemble dancing figures, by caressing their relief carvings, you might be caught off guard and suddenly embrace with your gaze the whole surface of the painting, while names such as “Petalides” ( Limpets ), ” Desert Land”, “Logos”, “Kytissos” or “ Leaves of Light ” reverberate metaphysically in your ears…

A convincing testimony in painting of intense feelings before the Mediterranean colors and light that is reflected in the connection between the Ancient Greek and today’s living script and sounds…

V.K., May 2003