Tag: Attica

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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.

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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.