Keramikou 28
 Front side of Keramikou 28 | |
| Established | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 2023 |
| Location | Metaxourgeio Keramikou 28, Athens, Greece |
| Type | Self-managed social center, art center |
Keramikou 28, is a neoclassical building in Athens, Greece located in the Metaxourgeio district on Keramikou 28 Street. The building has undergone various names, including ReMap,[1] Kunsthalle Athena,[2] and Communitism.[3] The building was used as a social art center between 2007 to 2023 by three different initiatives,[4][5][6] each occupying it during separate periods, closely resembling the Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin.[7] In 2017, the building received significant attention among artists, serving as an artist hub for a community of national and international artists who had relocated to Athens during Documenta 14.[8]
The building was transformed into an arts center and used for exhibitions, performances, and initiative projects.[9] The building served as a venue to the Athenian subculture art scene,[10][11] both for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work and engage in creative pursuits outside traditional galleries and museums.
History[edit]
Original Owner[edit]
Before World War II, there was a significant Jewish community in Metaxourgeio,[12] which hosted several synagogues and Jewish establishments in the neighborhood. Among these are the Beit Shalom Synagogue and the Chabad of Athens, which served as key points for religious observance, cultural exchange, and staying connected within the Jewish population of Athens. Consequently, the construction of Keramikou 28 is believed to have taken place discreetly by a Greek-Jewish family that migrated to Athens after the burning of Smyrna.[13] This historical context could be the cause of the limited information about the original owner and the construction of the building.
Utilization to Abandonment[edit]
The location of the building might not have been a random choice for construction. The name of the Metaxourgeio district derives from its historical association with silk production (Μεταξουργείο, 'silk factory', in Modern Greek).[14] This could have been the motive behind the construction of Keramikou 28 in Metaxourgeio, as its initial use was as a garment factory.
Over the course of the 20th century, the building served a variety of purposes, including as a factory,[15] printing press office, bakery, and likely as a venue for numerous other business up until its abandonment in the beginning of the 21st century.
The Evolution into an Artistic Hub[edit]
Following the abandonment of the building and the begging of the Greek government-debt crisis, the Athenian art scene saw rapid growth,[16] drawing artists, collectives, and initiatives towards the Keramikou 28 building. This growing interest led to the temporary occupancy agreement of Keramikou 28 during the ReMap1 event, an international contemporary art platform that was open and free to the public, organized by non-profit organization ReMap KM.[17] This multi-faceted artistic initiative, in collaboration with various institutions, notably the 1st Athens Biennale, ran from September 8 to November 24, 2007, and utilized various buildings within the districts of Metaxourgeio and Keramikos, including Keramikou 28.
ReMap1 played a pivotal role in raising awareness of Keramikou 28. The transformation of the abandoned building into a center of artistic activity drew a wider spectrum of art enthusiasts, critics, and curators. This increased awareness not only highlighted the building's potential as a cultural space but also rejuvenated the surrounding area.[18]
Kunsthalle Athena[edit]
Kunsthalle Athena, was founded in 2010 during the Greek government-debt crisis and began as a hosted project curated by Marina Fokidis entitled “THE BAR” within one of ReMap's buildings, Keramikou 28.[19]This event took place from May 13 to 17, 2010, and brought more than a thousand people to the then-unknown building. The project was led by curator Marina Fokidis, who wanted to explore the social impact of art institutions in the 21st century, focusing on Athens. Over time, Kunsthalle Athena evolved into a renowned artist-run and community space.[20]
Fokidis, who later became the director of the Athens art office of Documenta14 and the publisher of South magazine, pursued a critical approach towards institutions and ideologies. South magazine, envisioned as a mindset, became a key component of Documenta14, showcasing Fokidis' vision and the changing role of Kunsthalle Athena in the Athenian art scene.
Transitioning into the unrestored neoclassical building on Keramikou 28, Kunsthalle Athena began its journey among a diverse mix of locals, including immigrants, brothels, and drug addicts who had a strong presence in the area. From 2010 to 2015, the building served as a venue for numerous special projects, including exhibitions, performative events, and discursive gatherings. Notable among these was the launch of South as a State of Mind magazine, founded by the Kunsthalle Athena team, which became the official journal of Documenta14 in 2017.[19] A range of renewed artists exhibited at Kunstehalle Athen, including Kostis Velonis, Apostolos Georgiou, Anastasia Ax with other artist like Andreas Angelidakis, Dimitra Vamiali, Juliette Bonneviot, Alexandros Georgiou, Lydia Dambassina, , Annika Larsson, Matthieu Laurette, Ylva Ogland, Angeliki Papoulia, Robert Pettena, Theo Prodromidis, Iraklis Renieris, Yorgos Stamkopoulos, Stefania Strouza, Paul Zografakis, and Socratis Socratous.[21]
The peak of Kunsthalle Athena's efforts was the final project titled "We'll Meet Again" (2015), featuring a three-day event of lectures, screenings, and performances. Previous exhibitions, such as "This Must Be the Place" (2013) and "This is Not My Beautiful House" (2014), drew inspiration from Talking Heads songs, conveying a sense of social and existential alienation.[19]
Throughout its existence, Kunsthalle Athena aimed to redefine perceptions of life and action, emphasizing community engagement at the nexus of space, artistic expression, and politics. Despite financial challenges, Kunsthalle Athena thrived through collaborative efforts and innovative resource management.[19]
The End of Keramikou 28[edit]
In May 2023,[6] Communitism, the last initiative in the building, faced a legal eviction due to the gentrification of the area. The property owners motivated by the rising property values in the neighborhood wanted to list the building on the real estate market, ultimately leading the group to peacefully depart. Today, the building of Keramikou 28 stands as a symbol of the Athenian art scene through the numerous exhibitions, performances, and projects hosted within its walls.[22]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "ReMap1". Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ FRIEZE NO. 167 (PDF). December 2014. pp. 162–163.
- ^ Dimitris Kyriazis (24 March 2017). "Communitism στο δεύτερο μεγάλο αθηναϊκό πρότζεκτ τους με αφετηρία ένα υπέροχο κτίριο στο «βαθύ Μεταξουργείο»". Lifo.gr. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ^ "ReMap KM - Χαρτογραφώντας ξανά την Αθήνα". Lifo.gr. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
- ^ "Kunsthalle Athena". Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ a b Communitism. "Το τελευταίο αντίο στο Communitism". Popaganda.gr. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi. "Athens-Based 'Communitism' Organization Giving New Life to Crumbling Buildings in Historic Athens Neighborhood". Greek Reporter. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ^ Quynh Tran (14 July 2017). "How Has documenta 14 Impacted the Athens Art Scene?". Artnet. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ^ Anstasia Vaitsopoulou. "Σημείο κατατεθέν «των καλών και των παράξενων» της Αθήνας". Popagand.gr. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Lifo Team (3 November 2022). "«Neoclassical grounds VI: As Xanasistithoume»: Ένα καλλιτεχνικό εγχείρημα από την ομάδα του Communitism". Lifo.gr. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Filipa Dimitriadi. "Μία urban διεκδίκηση στην Πλ. Αυδή από το Communitism". Athens Voice. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Dioskouridi, Stavros (May 26, 2010). "Μνημείο Ολοκαυτώματος". Lifo.gr. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ G.K. Karatzas (14 October 2017). "Έλληνες, Εβραίοι και Αρμένιοι στην οθωμανική Σμύρνη". protothema.gr. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Kostas Papantoniou. "ΤΟ ΜΕΤΑΞΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΟΠΩΣ ΗΤΑΝ ΠΑΛΙΑ". avgi.gr. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "SOFI PLEX". opencorporates.com. Retrieved Jan 27, 2019.
- ^ Alastair Sooke (May 9, 2017). "Can Athens become Europe's new arts capital?". BBC. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ Zevliki, Despina (January 9, 2021). "2000-2020: 20 σταθμοί στην εικαστική Αθήνα και 20 αξέχαστες εκθέσεις". athinorama.gr. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Katsouni, Stavroula (2014). "Technical University of Crete School of Architecture" (PDF). pp. 86–89.
- ^ a b c d Politakis, Dimitris (April 8, 2016). "South as a State of Mind Marina Fokidis". e-flux. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "South as a State of Mind Marina Fokidis". HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark. 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ South As A State of Mind. (2014). "South likes: This is Not My Beautiful House at Kunsthalle Athena, Athens". e-flux. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Angelos Kladis (9 May 2023). "Το εμβληματικό κτίριο της Κεραμεικού 28". oneman.gr. Retrieved May 9, 2023.