Art History, Princeton University, New Jersey

My postdoctoral research focuses on Cy Twombly and Yannis Kounellis and tries to answer how antiquity is treated in their work. I wish to show that both artists’ approaches renewed, reinvented and reaffirmed antiquity. This reveals the ambition to create a theoretical framework which would use Twombly and Kounellis as a starting point and could develop a reflection that could extend to their generation of artists.

The six-month stay that corresponded almost perfectly to the academic year allowed me to become a part of Princeton’s life and community being invited to the events, talks and seminars and the rich program of lectures from specialists visiting Princeton from all over the world. Apart from creating close working and trusted relationships with professors from the Classic’s Department, I was able to create a strong connection with the Seager Center for Hellenic Studies.

The circumstances of my fellowship coinciding with major exhibitions of my research artists at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts respectively, facilitated the expanding of my network.

Furthermore, New York City’s active art scene allowed me to participate in numerous gallery talks, lectures and seminars in direct connection to my study, enabling to meet other scholars and be informed about cutting-edge research. It goes without saying that NYC offered overwhelming opportunities and a rich cultural life to take fully advantage of, including the Fulbright Scholar Program organized by the Institute of International Education and One to World. Thanks to these events, I was able to have life-changing discussions with fellow Fulbright scholars hailing from non-western countries such as Afghanistan.

Another Fulbright event offered us an invitation to gather with other scholars and see an NBA game of the NY Knicks at Madison Square Garden – an experience which I definitely count among the most enlightening in discovering one of the most interesting aspects of the country’s popular and sports culture.