OPY ZOUNI Poetry in Geometric Abstraction Part I - YASSA- Prokofiev-Cendrillon

OPY ZOUNI Sarpakis, (known at the time as to Opaki which means little Opy in Greek) announced at the age of 17, that she decided to become a painter. 'I am going to study photography, and then painting' she told me. Another childhood dream, I thought. Ten years later, I was having lunch with her in Athens at the Plaka. I knew that she had become a painter, and was working very hard. 'Guess what?' she suddenly told me. They have printed a photo of one of my paintings in an Italian, and one in a French Magazine.
Here look, she said, stopping at a newstand, and showing me proudly the pictures.
Ten years later I was invited for dinner at her home in Penteli. She took me and her guests to her studio, full of sculptures and paintings, in the third floor of her beautiful villa, overlooking Athens in the distance.
'I am preparing this work for my exhibit in Geneva next month. I have been exhibiting my work in San Francisco, London, Paris, Geneva, and of course Athens' she told us.
As you see I have a lot of work ahead to prepare.
Little Opy, (Opaki) my childhood friend, and sister of my best man, had by now become one of Greece's most famous painters, of international acclaim. With her wonderful husband Aleco a well known architect by her side, she was flying with her career.
Ten years or more,later came the sad news of her cancer.'I am not worried' she told me. 'I will never stop working'.
And she did just that. Under chemotherapy, she probably made medical history, fighting advanced cancer and surviving for 12 years, ignoring pain, and battling all kinds of complications requiring extensive and unforgiving chemotherapy to control the spread of her disease.
Opy finally lost her struggle, and left us eight days ago, at the age of 67. She leaves behind her a rich and unique legacy of beautiful Geometric Abstract paintings and sculptures, unique in their kind, and instantly recognizable as her work. This is not the end of this great artist. Only the beginning to the road of more fame and appreciation, for her concept of geometric designs.
RAMZY YASSA another Egyptian born artist, accompanies this sampling of her work, as he performs the first three fairies from Prokofiev's Cendrillon, in a brilliant recording. He needs no introduction to pianists, as he is well known in the musical circles for his performances, and to young pianists in his capacity as a judge in many international piano competitions.
Video dedicated to the memory of Opy (still Opaki to me), to her husband Alec, and her brother Stelio Sarpakis, my best man and dear friend.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• OPY
• ZOUNI
• Poetry
• in
• Geometric
• Abstraction
• Ramzi
• YASSA
• Prokofiev
• Cendrillon
• stephenTGV

[NOSEhow2LIV]

Warmth yet with clarity. Sharpness yet with depth. The images metamorphose hypnotically, truly a poetic video. And the piano absolutely complementary, dancing with sparkle, with soul, with grotesquerie. A truly brilliant recording. A great discovery of two remarkable artists at the hand of another. Thank you stephenjoeagi.

[stephenjoeagi]

Thank you very much for your interesting comment.

[veseli601]

Flawless.. Bravo Mr Papastephanou!!

This pics are a stunner! They bring out the wit and joy of life, of light...

And the pianist was shown in his natural Pianism, magnificent playing both controlled and stylish without cheap effects to show virtuosity. He has really something to tell us through this fantastic music!

[MsYperite]

beautiful video & artworks

[tarekmusic]

Hi,

thanks too much for this wonderful visualization of Prokofiev music. The colors, geometric shapes and transition of scenes are completely in harmony with the melodic colors and articulating rhythms.

I thank you also for giving us the chance to listen to this great pianist which gives the work with his interpretation and deep understanding of the melodic details a new horizon of visualization with his dancing touch and great but controlled virtousity.

Thanks again

Tarek Nasr

[veseli601]

Your performance with this video is the most sincere friendship, without desire to show off. That is why this performance so fantastically beautiful. It is like a Christmas gift - Thank you for posting this!