Ellas-credit Olga Chanouza
Anyone who is interested in contemporary art will now be able to see works of Greek artists at weekends from the 29th of March in Thiseio, Athens, Greece. There will be works on display at ground floor level in Poikili Stoa, Aghios Philipos Street. These works of art will change on a weekly basis, and can be seen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, although the works will be removed every Sunday evening and different ones on display the following week.
The café-bar/restaurant itself, upstairs, affords wonderful views of the ancient Temple of Thiseios as well as of the Acropolis and at night these magnificent structures are illuminated, making for an impressive sight. In winter customers are protected from the cold by plastic sheeting and heaters, while in summer you get a refreshing breeze good when the temperatures are soaring. They have a good selection of cheeses and there are vegetarian options if your need something a little more substantial.
Technosfaira is an association of Greek artists of all persuasions, dance, art, music, graphic artists and tattooists. The artist Vassiliki Tambouri is president and founder of the association and she has been the driving force behind it. The ultimate aim of the association is to have a building in which their works can be on permanent display. They are also extremely interested in having links with artists in other countries, so if you are an artist who would like to find out more about the association you should look at Technosfaira’s Facebook page.
The paintings on display will be eclectic in terms of style, so there will be still-life works, abstracts and realism as well as symbolism. Some of the works will show very clearly how the artists feel about the economic crisis, the way Greece has been castigated by some in Europe and they will also show a hope for a more prosperous future not only for Greeks but for everyone. There will also be portraits and scenes from Greece’s land and seascapes.
The venue for the exhibition is close to the train station in Monastiraki and also only a few metres from the James Joyce pub in Thiseio Street which is a favourite haunt of ex-pats. The area is worth a visit as you never quite know what you might find in the rather interesting shops which sell everything from kitchen and farm hardware through to second-hand books and bric-a-brac. It is also very scenic with its cobbled, pedestrianised streets.
Everyone is welcome to view the paintings without sitting in the café-bar/restaurant as the owner is a member of Technosfaira. Of course, he hopes to attract custom, but the point of the exhibitions is that people can view the works of art on display. So if you are in Athens, why not go to this historic part and take in the ancient and modern.
Copyright Lynne Evens © Smarttravelinfo.com
