Tag: Athens

{jcomments on}

An International Contemporary Art Convention took place between the 13th and 16th of September in Zappeion Megaron of Athens. It is an annual event of a growing popularity. Zappeion was overwhelmed by thousands of visitors, a fact proving the big interest of Greeks for modern art. Exhibits were so many that it would take hours to see all, while the willingness of the artists themselves to help the visitors on their works was impressive also. The selection of the art on this album is not at all representantive; images of the works were taken with minimal equipment.

Artemis Hatzigiannaki is a talented notary with a talent in painting, who evolved into a remarkable painter. Her favorite themes are Smyrna and Athens, which she represents with a unique sensitivity and originality.

Legendary natural lake next to the sea on the coastal zone of Athens. It is where a huge underwater cave and a labyrinthine tunnel network of unknown total length begin. Famous divers from Greece and abroad have so far explored tunnels with a total length of 3.1 km. Eight divers have lost their lives in their efforts to solve the mysteries of the lake, thus access to the cave by non-experts has been banned since 1995. However, bathing in the lake is still safe and allowed. The depth of the lake reaches 80 meters and the temperature of its brackish water varies from 22 to 29 degrees Celsius. It is a wetland of special natural beauty, part of the NATURA network and protected by the RAMSAR treaty. The water of the lake is healing, so it attracts many visitors, who enjoy a therapeutic bath in the enchanting environment. Inside the water live small black fishes, of the Garra Rufa family, who surround the bathers and exfoliate them. Until some decades ago, visitors of the lake were mainly elderly aristocrats from Athens, but during recent years it has attracted bigger and more modern parts of the population. It is also preferred by visitors from mainland European countries, who trust and practice alternative healing therapies.

Plaka is built under the Acropolis rock, in the "heart" of Athens. It is a traditional district that was thankfully spared during the first "wave" of residential development in Athens. Athenians visit Plaka everyday but especially during the weekends. They never seem to get enough. They photograph the houses and the paved alleys and post the images online. There are pages on social media, with thousands of followers, dedicated to Plaka. Everyone, from teenagers to the elderly, have something to say about Plaka.

The "Art Athina 2018" International Contemporary Art Fair took place at the Conservatory of Athens from the 21st to the 24th of June. This fair is an annual event in Athens and is highly anticipated by many. Aside from the exhibition the fair also had a parallel program which consisted of speeches, workshops and special tributes. The artwork presented in this article is just a small sample of what was showcased and in random order. Photographs don’t do the artwork justice as the pictures were taken with non-specialized equipment, during a tour of the fair. The exhibition areas were comfortable for the visitors. Artists and visitors engaged in vigorous artistic discussions. Even the kiosks were artistically set up. Most of the visitors were young at age.

Anafiotika in Plaka is a Cycladic neighborhood in the centre of Athens, situated right under the Acropolis. It was created in the second half of the 19th century by residents of the Island Anafi, who had come to the capital in search of work. The houses are all whitewashed, with colored windows and small yards filled with bougainvilleas. The maze-like alleys between the houses are so narrow that one person can just barely fit through.

A couple of years ago, a new Acropolis Museum was constructed to house the Parthenon Marbles. It’s a world class architectural structure, located opposite the Acropolis and with a stunning view towards the cultural gem of Athens. The Museum was designed by architects Bernard Tschumi and Michael Fotiadis.

"The songs about Kolokotronis touched my soul without me noticing it. Everyone used to sing in my village and in my home too. My mother used to say: In the evening we'll go visit your uncle and you can sing for us. I’ll pay you five cents for your performance. If my silence and embarrassment didn't go away she would tell me again: You better sing, otherwise I will have to give you ten cents".

Families with babies in their prams and elderly Greeks, who moved with difficulty, participated in the protest. It was an “amateur” civilian mobilization, with no political ties. Most of the participants had never been to a similar protest. The Macedonian issue, however, moved them and feelings bubbled momentarily to the surface. Even though most of the participants were conservatives, they listened to celebrated “Zorba The Greek” composer Mikis Theodorakis’ address stunned in awe. They sang his songs. And this giant figure of the Left stirred up emotions for these pure conservatives and taught them about national reconciliation.

If someone goes to Lycabettus right after the sunset, he'll be surprised by the pictures he will see. As darkness spreads the impersonal buildings of Athens disappear and the eye goes up to the sky which is set on fire by the colours. The only human creation one can see there is the silhouette of Acropolis.

The “Art Athina 2017” International Contemporary Art Fair took place at the Tae Kwon Do Hall at Faliro from the 25th to the 28th of May. This fair is an annual event in Athens and is highly anticipated by many. The artwork presented in this article is just a small sample of what was showcased and in random order. Photographs don’t do the artwork justice as the pictures were taken with non-specialized equipment, during a tour of the fair.