"VOYAGE"-Seafaring and Shipbuilding in Greece from antiquity to modern timesExtension through August 27 2017
Under the Auspices of the Hellenic Navy General Staff
Watch the video for more information on the new section of Antikythera Mechanism, here
Watch the video of "Voyage", here
A new section has enriched the exhibition, focusing on the century of research during which scientists have tried to understand the Antikythera Mechanism. Through rare exhibits that are being shown for the first time, early and contemporary models of the mechanism, explanatory texts, drawings and photographs, the Museum Herakleidon is presenting pivotal moments in the study of the most complicated mechanism of antiquity (2nd-1st cent. BC), aiming to showcase the advanced scientific knowledge of the ancient Greeks, their mathematical and technological achievements and, most importantly, their innovative spirit.
It is a history of maritime voyages, achievements in naval architecture, exchange of ideas and technological developments, presented through about 40 handmade wooden models of Greek ships, which date from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. The exhibits, of remarkable size (0,60 m. to 1,50 m) and excellent, detailed construction, combined with the well-designed presentation, offer the visitors the possibility to study the models at their leisure and in depth, and thus better understand the development of shipbuilding from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. The creator of these models is Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and model shipbuilder, who has studied in depth the shipbuilding history of Greece, as well as the construction of ship models.
The painter-printmaker Mary Schina, Associate Professor of the Printmaking department of the Athens School of Fine Arts, is also participating in this exhibition with selected works from her series "Aegaeis", "Aegean Sea Odes" and "Aegean Odes honour the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera”, inspired by the Aegean Sea. The perpetual movement of the sea, in a dialogue with Ancient Greek Writing and the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera continue the awe-inspiring adventure of the artist with the magical and mystifying Aegean Sea, which began in 2001.
Navigational instruments as well as maps, video projections, explanatory drawings by the archaeologist Yiannis Nakas, and other material further complement the exhibition, aiming to help the visitors understand the subject and goal of the exhibition by creating the appropriate museum environment.
The goal of the exhibition is to present to the visitors, in a coherent and comprehensible manner, the history of Greek seafaring and shipbuilding, giving them a chance to take a mental trip back in time to discover the close and timeless relationship of the Greek people with the sea.
Creator of the woden ship-models
Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and model shipbuilder
"Aegaeis", "Aegean Sea Odes", "Aegean Odes honour the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera”
Mary Schina, Associate Professor of A’ Printmaking Studio, Athens Athens School of Fine Arts
Exhibition Designer and Curator
Nikoleta Xydea, Archaeology-Museology MA
We thank the Naval Museum of Litochoro who has loaned the museum five navigational instruments from its collection. We also thank the National Archaeological Museum, the Numismatic Museum of Athens, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, the Archaeological Museum of Atalanti and the Aegean Maritime Museum who has loaned photographs from selected objects from their collections that complement the exhibits, enhancing the historical narrative provided by the wall texts. We also thank Anna Lontou, holder of the copyright on the works of G. Seferis, for her kind permission to use a verse from "Mythistorema".