"I create multidisciplinary performances across different forms of art, from music and theatre to dance, visual arts, and literature, with a special emphasis on the political, collectivity, and new media. My aesthetic agenda is two-fold: challenging the "theatre of convention" and mobilizing citizens as an integral component of the art-making process."
While revisiting the classics and creating immersive experiences, Elli Papakonstantinou connects notions of myth, philosophy and major narratives of our days. Named a Visiting CCRMA Scholar by Stanford University and a visiting scholar by Princeton University and nominated twice with a Fulbright Artist’s Award, Papakonstantinou shaped her ideas from the civic movements that emerged in Greece during the crisis. She is the founder of the international company ODC Ensemble. She writes and directs all of the company’s works with a wish to challenge what opera and music theatre is all about.
Elli has been commissioned by European Capitals of Culture “Valetta18” (Malta), “Eleusis21” (Greece) and ‘Pafos17’ (Cyprus) and has presented her work for the European Parliament for Culture in 2017. Her creations tour internationally including representing Greece at PQ (official Hellenic participation Prague Quadrennial 2015).
Papakonstantinou has lived in the UK for over a decade and has created and presented her work in international festivals and venues like: Edinburgh Festival (UK), BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) New York (US), Operadagen Festival (HL), Neukoellner Oper Berlin (GE), Megaron National Concert Hall (GR), LaMaMa E.T.C., New York (US), the West End (UK), National Theatre of Greece (GR), Inauguration Ceremony of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (EG) and more.
During the crisis in Greece, Papakonstantinou engaged herself beyond the “usual” role of a theatre director to become politically engaged entrepreneur, founded and directed Vyrsodepseio, a 3,000 sq.m. art space in Athens. Vyrsodepseio served as a vibrant hub for horizontal politics and synergies (2011-2017).
Most recent creations (2019) include Oedipus: Sex with Mum was blinding that premiered at the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), New York, and The Kindly Ones presented at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial in Austria.
She is currently invited to present the Kindly Ones at the Memorial Site Camp des Milles in the frame of the La Manufacture/Festival Avignon 2020.
