Dennis Svoronos
I was able to meet an extraordinary human during my last semester at Boston University, and had the privilege of shadowing him for a weekend. This is his story.
April 22, 2016, BOSTON – Rory Beerits (left), TT Svoronos (center) and her husband Dennis Svoronos (right), all part of Artist Operation, an organization of collaborating artists based in South Boston, work in their studio Friday afternoon. “We’re all degree-holding artists, we’re here to help and work with other artists to try to keep the community element going,” Dennis Svoronos said. “Literally, artists from Boston will pay people from New York City to make their art and ship it back to Boston. That’s…ridiculous.” Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 22, 2016, BOSTON – Dennis Svoronos, a sculpture teacher at Boston University, examines the moving parts in his past artwork in his studio in South Boston Friday afternoon. Svoronos has a terminal illness, but still teaches twice a week and works at his organization called Artist Operation. “Art materials come from everywhere,” Svoronos said. “Including the old neck massager somebody threw out.” Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 22, 2016, BOSTON – Dennis Svoronos, a sculpture teacher at Boston University, smokes a cigarette outside his studio in South Boston Friday afternoon. Svoronos has a terminal illness, and continues to teach and collaborate on pieces with his organization called Artist Operation. “I try to get things done by…7 at the latest if I can, and I try to indulge in my other pastimes,” Svoronos said. “I’m trying to make the regional championships [in Pokemon], but I don’t have the time that these other people do.” Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 20, 2016, BOSTON – Dennis Svoronos, a sculpture teacher at Boston University, welds a piece of metal onto a wheeled frame Wednesday morning on Commonwealth Avenue. Svoronos has a terminal illness, but continues to teach and contribute to his organization called Artist Operation, with his wife and friend, which is based in South Boston. “I’m just trying to serve undergrads better than I was served, to be honest,” Svoronos said. “I feel like coming out of an undergrad degree is a little tough situation.” Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – Zach (right), 3, spins the wheel on “Flock”, an original piece by Artist Operation Saturday morning during the People’s Sculpture Race in Cambridge. The event brings engineers, artists and creative people alike to showcase their hard word and have fun. Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – (from left to right) TT Svoronos, her husband Dennis Svoronos and Rory Beerits assemble their racing sculpture “Flock” during the People’s Sculpture Race in Cambridge Saturday afternoon. Their organization is called Artist Operation, and collaborates on pieces and artistically help reach community goals. “Because I work with my wife and one of my best friends, we have a great day.” Dennis Svoronos said. “It’s always a good time. There’s always something to joke about, to laugh about.” Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – Rory Beerits (right) pulls “Flock”, a moving sculpture made by Artist Operation, after the People’s Sculpture Race in Cambridge Saturday afternoon. Dennis Svoronos (left) is a Boston University sculpture teacher. He has a terminal illness, and continues to teach and work with his wife and friend on collaborative pieces for their organization called Artist Operation, based in South Boston. “It’s tough to be creative out there,” Svoronos said. Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – Unidentified children begin the Community Sculpture Racing event in Cambridge Saturday morning. This event brings together engineers, artists and creative people alike in a community bonding activity. Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – TT Svoronos (front) pulls “Flock”, a moving sculpture made by Artist Operation, during the People’s Sculpture Race in Cambridge Saturday morning. Artist Operation is a group of three artists, including TT, her husband Dennis Svoronos and friend Rory Beerits, working to collaborate creatively and help build community in South Boston. Photo by Kyra Louie.
April 23, 2016, BOSTON – Rory Beerits (left), TT Svoronos (center) and her husband Dennis Svoronos (right) cheer after receiving participation medals Saturday afternoon for the Community Sculpture Racing event in Cambridge. Dennis Svoronos is a Boston University sculpture teacher with a terminal illness, but still teaches and contributes to Artist Operation, his organization of collaborative artists based in South Boston. “1,865 days is how long they said an average person with my disease has to live,” Svoronos said. “…every day past that I really relish.” Photo by Kyra Louie.