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Keramikou 28

Coordinates: 37°58′59″N 23°43′18″E / 37.98306°N 23.72163°E / 37.98306; 23.72163
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Keramikou 28
Front side of Keramikou 28
Map
Established2007 (2007)
Dissolved2023 (2023)
LocationMetaxourgeio Keramikou 28, Athens, Greece
Coordinates37°58′59″N 23°43′18″E / 37.98306°N 23.72163°E / 37.98306; 23.72163
TypeSelf-managed social center, art center
OwnerBios Cultural Center

Keramikou 28 is a neoclassical building in Athens, Greece, in the Metaxourgeio district on Keramikou 28 Street. The building has undergone various names, including ReMap,[1] Kunsthalle Athena,[2] and Communitism.[3] It was used as a social art center between 2007 and 2023 by three different initiatives, each occupying it during separate periods, closely resembling the Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin.[4][5][6][7] In 2017, it 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] It served as a venue to the Athenian subculture art scene, both for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work and engage in creative pursuits outside traditional galleries and museums.[10][11]

History

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Original Owner

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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]

Utilization to Abandonment

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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]

Over the course of the 20th century, the building served a variety of purposes, including as a factory, printing press office, bakery, and likely as a venue for numerous other business up until its abandonment in the beginning of the 21st century.[15]

The Evolution into an Artistic Hub

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Following the abandonment of the building and the begging of the Greek government-debt crisis, the Athenian art scene saw rapid growth, drawing artists, collectives, and initiatives towards the area of Metaxourgeio.[16] 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 founded by Iasson Tsakonas.[17][18] 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.[19]

Kunsthalle Athena (2010 - 2015)

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Kostis Velonis, installation view, This is Not My Beautiful House, 2014, Kunsthalle Athena, 2010-2011 Photo by Stathis Mamalakis
Hope, Untitled, 2010. Part of "MOUNTAIN / HOPE," Kunsthalle Athena, Athens, 2010-2011. Photo by Ioannis Tzaneteas.

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.[20] 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.[21]

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.[20] 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.[22]

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.[20]

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.[20]

Communitism (2017 - 2023)

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Gianni Kazakis, The Aftermath, 2023. Communitism, Athens, 2017-2023.

Communitism, much like Kunsthalle Athena, emerged within the Kerameikou 28 building in Metaxourgeio during the Greek government-debt crisis. The group was originally founded in 2016 as a project to motivate community structures to activate abandoned cultural heritage buildings in Athens.[23] The distinction between these two initiatives lies in their affiliations. Communitism was closely linked with the subculture art scene of Athens, while Kunsthalle Athena maintained connections with the mainstream art scene, including blue-chip galleries, museums, and art fairs.

The group originally initiated at a neoclassical building located at 15 Paramythias & 57 Salaminos streets in Metaxourgeio, not far from Keramikou 28.[24] With the start of Documenta14, more artists relocated to Athens, many of whom became involved with Communitism and eventually moved to Keramikou 28 in 2017, which had been empty for two years.

Azad Ibrahim, SOS - TELEFON SOUND INSTALLATION, 2019. MEME Gallery, Athens, 2017-2019.

Keramikou 28 under Communitism was more complex and functioned differently from how the building was used by ReMap and Kunsthalle Athena.[25] Under the umbrella of Communitism, the building was organized into distinct circles, each with its own goals and responsibilities. This structure allowed for the simultaneous operation of multiple autonomous initiatives within the same physical space. During this time, the building hosted a vibrant ecosystem where artists, activists, and community members exchanged ideas and collaborated on projects.

Over the years, Communitism was shaped by a variety of projects and initiatives that contributed to its development. Notable initiatives include Balkan Can Kino Film Festival,[26] Kino 28,[27] Free the Kitsch Film Festival,[28] Perspectives Art,[29] Typographio,[30] Keramo Lab,[31] Butterflies & Camels,[32] MEME Athens,[33] and the last to join the building, PS: (Project Space),[34] which during the COVID-19 pandemic took over the space previously occupied by MEME Athens. While MEME Athens was one of the most well-known initiatives in the building, they split from Communitism in 2020 over a controversy regarding autonomy, leading to considerable distrust and acrimony within the community. Communitism featured both established and emerging artists from diverse media through MEME Athens and PS: (Project Space), including Ron Athey,[35] Karl Heinz Jeron,[36] Alexis Vasilikos,[37] Frank Holbein,[33] Ronny Bulik,[33] Gianni Kazakis,[38] and many other artists such as Chris Doulgeris,[39] Grigoria Vryttias, Orestis Giannoulis, Danae Kriki, Dimitris Liosis, Beatriki Markopoulou, Lydia Miligou, Katerina Botsari, Ioanna Bouzika, Christos Oikonomou, Stelios Papagrigoriou, Angelos Tortikolis, George Anthikolou, George Anthopoulou, Dylan Meade, Charlotte Nieuwenhuys, Hermes Pittakos, Sara Sani, and Veronique Tromokratish.[40]

Eviction and the Rescue of Keramikou 28

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In May 2023,[7] 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 sell the building to a hotel property developer, ultimately leading the group to peacefully depart. However, the purchase was blocked by the Bios Cultural Center which bought the building to prevent its commercial redevelopment and preserve it as an art center. 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.[41]

Film, TV and Music

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Films shot inside the building include "What If..." (2012),[42] "Greek Salad" (2023).[43]

Athens Film Fest 2022
Athens Film Fest 2022

The film initiatives of the building included Kino 28, Free the Kitsch Film Festival, and Balkan Can Kino, which was the most organized and consistent film initiative in the building, active between 2017 and 2018. Initially, Balkan Can Kino screened films, created audiovisual workshops, and held an alternative film festival.[44]

References

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  1. ^ "ReMap1". Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  2. ^ FRIEZE NO. 167 (PDF). December 2014. pp. 162–163.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Kunsthalle Athena". Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  5. ^ "ReMap KM - Χαρτογραφώντας ξανά την Αθήνα". Lifo.gr. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
  6. ^ Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi. "Athens-Based 'Communitism' Organization Giving New Life to Crumbling Buildings in Historic Athens Neighborhood". Greek Reporter. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Communitism. "Το τελευταίο αντίο στο Communitism". Popaganda.gr. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  8. ^ Quynh Tran (14 July 2017). "How Has documenta 14 Impacted the Athens Art Scene?". Artnet. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  9. ^ Anstasia Vaitsopoulou. "Σημείο κατατεθέν "των καλών και των παράξενων" της Αθήνας". Popagand.gr. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Lifo Team (3 November 2022). ""Neoclassical grounds VI: As Xanasistithoume": Ένα καλλιτεχνικό εγχείρημα από την ομάδα του Communitism". Lifo.gr. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Filipa Dimitriadi. "Μία urban διεκδίκηση στην Πλ. Αυδή από το Communitism". Athens Voice. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  12. ^ Dioskouridi, Stavros (May 26, 2010). "Μνημείο Ολοκαυτώματος". Lifo.gr. Retrieved May 12, 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ G.K. Karatzas (14 October 2017). "Έλληνες, Εβραίοι και Αρμένιοι στην οθωμανική Σμύρνη". protothema.gr. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Kostas Papantoniou. "ΤΟ ΜΕΤΑΞΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΟΠΩΣ ΗΤΑΝ ΠΑΛΙΑ". avgi.gr. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  15. ^ "SOFI PLEX". opencorporates.com. Retrieved Jan 27, 2019.
  16. ^ Alastair Sooke (May 9, 2017). "Can Athens become Europe's new arts capital?". BBC. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ Bradley, Kimberly (October 19, 2011). "ArtNet: ReMap Athens, ATHENIAN RHAPSODY". artnet.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Katsouni, Stavroula (2014). "Technical University of Crete School of Architecture" (PDF). pp. 86–89.
  20. ^ a b c d Politakis, Dimitris (April 8, 2016). "South as a State of Mind Marina Fokidis". e-flux. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "South as a State of Mind Marina Fokidis". HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark. 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Kolasa-Sikiaridi, Kerry (November 16, 2016). "Athens-Based 'Communitism' Organization Giving New Life to Crumbling Buildings". greekreporter. Retrieved May 17, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Kiriazis, Dimitris (March 24, 2017). "Communitism στο δεύτερο μεγάλο αθηναϊκό πρότζεκτ". Lifo.gr. Retrieved May 18, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "History of Communitism". Communitism Official Website. 14 September 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "Balkan Kino Film Festival". Balkan Kino.
  27. ^ "Kino 28 is the film and audiovisual space at 28 Kerameikou and offers a platform for diverse and dynamic talent to develop, discover and champion passionate artists in film, music and performing arts". Communitism. 26 July 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  28. ^ "The festival is organized by the team of filmmakers and curators Interferences, the art space KINO 28 and the collective KeramoLab in Athens". Free the Kitsch. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Perspective Art Collective of Communitism". Perspective Art. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Typo is a creative makerspace that freely provides tools and reusable materials for the community and people from the neighbourhood". Communitism. 26 July 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  31. ^ "Keramo Lab at Communitism". Communitism. 26 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Butterflies & Camel: A Three-Group Workshop". Communitism. 31 January 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c "Official Website of Meme Athens". Meme Athens. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  34. ^ "PS: (ProjectSpace, PostScriptum, PerformanceSpace, PrivateSpace, PublicSpace, PlaySpace, PrintSpace, PhotoSpace)". Communitism. 22 July 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "Darkness Visible". Communitism. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "Karl Heinz Jeron – Intensive Care Unit". Communitism. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  37. ^ "Alexis Vasilikos - Grids". Communitism. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  38. ^ "Gianni Kazakis - The Aftermath". Current Athens. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  39. ^ "Meme Project space, Duo solo Chris Doulgeris & Ulricke Buhl" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Growing Confined". Current Athens. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  41. ^ Angelos Kladis (9 May 2023). "Το εμβληματικό κτίριο της Κεραμεικού 28". oneman.gr. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "Αν..." Flix. 22 November 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  43. ^ Diakosavas, Alexandros (April 20, 2023). ""Greek Salad": Μια σειρά του Amazon Prime για την Αθήνα του gentrification". Lifo.gr. Retrieved May 25, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ "History of Balkan Can Kino". Balkan Can Kino. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
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