Keramikou 28
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 Front side of Kerameikou 28 | |
| Established | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | Metaxourgeio Kerameikou 28, Athens, Greece |
| Type | Self-managed social center, Art Center |
Kerameikou 28, also known as Communitism building[1], was a social art center in Athens, Greece similar to Kunsthaus Tacheles. It was housed in a neoclassical structure located at the heart of the Greek capital in the Metaxourgeio[2] district on Kerameikou 28 Street. Functioning as a self-managed social center, it drew together a community of national and international artists who relocated to Athens during Documenta 14[3] in the Metaxourgeio district.
The transformation of the building into an artists hub elevated its status in the Athenian subculture art scene. It provided a venue for both emerging and established artists to exhibit their work and engage in creative pursuits outsied traditional galleries and museums. The building came to symbolize the vibrant artistic community of the city, hosting a variety of exhibitions, performances, and initiative projects.
Community
The building members were a community of artists, architects, performers, writers, actors, and poets, each autonomously operating their unique spaces within the building. At its core, Communitism as group laid the foundation for Kerameikou 28. Within this community, individuals like Natassa Dourida (conceptual artist, civil engineer), Angel Torticollis (performer, queer artist ), and Maaike Stutterheim (actor, performer, curator) played key roles in shaping the ethos of Kerameikou 28. Over time, the community expanded to include other artists, such as Bjorn Ricketts, Mochi Georgiou, Hermes Pittakos, Eleni Voultsidou, Tom Hamilton, Dida Dourida, Francesca Kezich, Flavia Stagi, Iselys Rinaldi and the last member to join Kerameikou 28, Greek-American conceptual artist, filmmaker and poet, Gianni Kazakis who was invited to join the community after his solo show «The Aftermath» at PS: exhibition space, just a few months before Kerameikou 28 closed in 2023.
Role in Athens Art Scene
Kerameikou 28 quickly became known as a prominent venue in Athens' subculture art scene. It offered a space for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and participate in creative endeavors beyond the traditional settings of private galleries and museums. The building came to symbolize Athens' growing art scene, hosting a variety of exhibitions, performances, and innovative projects within its historic walls.
The End of Kerameikou 28
In May of 2023, the fate of Kerameikou 28 took a dramatic turn when confrontations with the property owners arose due to the gentrification of the surrounding area. Consequently, the building was evacuated with the intention of listing it on the real estate market. Nevertheless, Kerameikou 28 remains a symbol of Athens' art scene, embodying its radical spirit through the countless exhibitions, performances, and projects that have unfolded within its historic walls. The legacy of Kerameikou 28 endures as a testament to the power of artistic community and self-expression in the face of urban transformation.
References
- ^ Dimitris Kyriazis. "Communitism στο δεύτερο μεγάλο αθηναϊκό πρότζεκτ τους με αφετηρία ένα υπέροχο κτίριο στο «βαθύ Μεταξουργείο»". Lifo.gr. Retrieved March 24, 2017.