Reading the Lines

‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

‘So you wanna race me? You don’t stand a chance.’ That was true. He was three times my age, but he could outrun, outwork, out-anything me. That’s my boss. A ball of energy. We first met when I was still a barista at the local café, where he’d come to pick up his morning latte. At first, I felt that he was an annoying, talkative buffoon. Plus, I could not stand his cheeky face. Day after day though, I got somehow absorbed into his creative vision, I admired the way he was passionate about life and wanted to make the world a better place. So one day, when he came in, I told him, ‘That’s my last day here. Tomorrow I start working for you. What time do you need me?’

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‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

The Professor is expecting me, pacing the corridors, ready to reprimand me for my tardiness. I arrive. He acknowledges my presence with a glare and rushes down the staircase. I follow. We are greeted by a guard who takes us through the cobbled path, past the library, into a small walled garden. The Professor studies our shadows. This would be the last time we see them. The town’s bell peals begin. It’s time.

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‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

Wired to succeed. On the fast lane since I was a kid. Get that diploma. Graduate first. Go for that job. Leave that job. Climb to the top. Finish top of my age group in the marathon. Write that book. Achieve. Achieve. Achieve. Successful, strong, respected. How come you never showed up for me? Why did I not see you, supporting me in the crowd, suited up, with your pearl earrings and your silk special occasion scarf? How come I never made you proud?

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‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

I just stand and stare. Striped t-shirt, short pants, flip flops… Heart’s on my sleeve. I smile uncomfortably, struggling, filling the awkward pause with ‘I am happy for you’ forced comments and wishes. So many things I’d like to ask: when and how and why. And what am I? My old soul is a million pieces, trapped within this young body. You smile back, sincerely, warmly. I nod. ‘It’s still light,’ I say, ‘Let’s go shoot some hoops.’

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‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

It had been a long day. She remembered when she first started teaching. Young, full of energy and enthusiasm. She was making a difference. She felt it. As the children’s faces lit up when learning took place, she knew it. This was it. But years passed by, reducing her work to chasing a measurable meaninglessness. Exploration, experimentation and play gave their place to a mundane box ticking. Mindless school reformers, superficial curriculum objectives, parents in pursuit of high marks, uninterested students. Depleted, disillusioned, confused. She looked at the empty desks and chairs, as she was preparing to lock the class. This wasn’t it.

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‘The Semi-Fictional Character of the Day’ is a joint, one-month project by Louiza Mallouri and Constantinos Xenofontos. Constantinos will be sketching a semi-fictional figure every day, and Louiza will be writing an accompanying storyline, as inspired by that character. The aim of this project is to explore the way two semiotic systems, the visual and the linguistic, interact and complement each other to tell a story.

I saw you. Walking across campus, buying overpriced coffee, David Foster Wallace at hand, an obscure, non relevant record goes through your headphones. It was a day after Valentine’s Day. You walked past, as I clumsily sketched on my notebook. Small talk: work and the weather. You complain about the sunshine, mock mainstream trends, you daydream on the spot with me. I almost recognise the teenager with whom I vowed to get out of here back then.

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