PHOTO:Athens Eyes

The Commercial Triangle of Athens constitutes the heart of the city. With its top the squares of Syntagma, Omonoia and Monastiraki it is the center of transactions and entertainment. For a long time it is used by Athenians for their daily shopping of all goods. Varvakeios Market and the popular Ermou Street, which is the main commercial road of Athens are located here. What is interesting is that the area is mainly organized the old way: each street is “themed” for specific goods.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Athens Intersection Archive

Although the worst is over in terms of fiscal adjustment, few believe Greece will be able to escape a fourth bailout even if the country regains market access when its current EU-IMF sponsored program ends in August next year. As a result of crisis in many streets of the Commercial Triangle of Athens the visitor will face only empty storefronts and shops. In the exhibition “Athens Eye” that is part of the Athens Intersection Cultural Program, eleven artists use the medium of photography to depict the paradoxal oddity and rash development of our aesthetic surroundings. Images, animated and still, opt to suggest a different perspective by means of emphasizing issues that currently may leave the viewer indifferent. Diverse aspects of the city are portrayed through conflicting images that are difficult to interpret, as the terms “Beautiful” and “Ugly” challenge our everyday aesthetics. A false sense of laxity and comfort is in effect a misfigure of reality, normalizing illegitimacy and the paradox of abnormality. As a result, the most bizarre and engaging images develop. Athens Intersection is a cultural program based on the pilot project to regenerate the Commercial Triangle of Athens. Onsite exhibits transform vacant stores, performances take place on balconies and in stoas, tours reveal hidden locations. Participating artists: Dimitris Athanitis, Christos Chryssopoulos, Yiannis Grigoriadis, Konstans Zafeiri Inlenso, Yiannis Isidorou, Nikos Kapiris, Nicholas Karathanasis, Leftheris Plakidas, Aris Roupinas, Yiannis Sinioroglou, George Striftaris

Info: Curator: Georg Georgakopoulos, Old Paper Warehouse, 3 Chrysospiliotissis Street, Athens, Duration: 29/11-13/12/17, Days & Hours: Wed-Fri  17:00 – 21:00, Sat 13:00 – 16:00, http://athensintersection.blogspot.gr