Art in windows

The once busy streets of Athens’ shopping area have been replaced with “to let” signs, as more shops close down due to the economic situation in Greece. Young artists have tried to give a temporary solution by creatively using these vacant shop windows to display their work. The “literature” behind this action is rich varying between the desire of the municipality to inject some life to these desolate streets, to give the area a good feel, to give the young artists a platform to show their works, to help the feel of the town to stay something of quality and vibrant, to get the feeling of this years’ Christmas spirit with a low (or non) budget project… The truth, however, is not as romantic as the media has advertized…
Yes, young artists have been asked to take action in bringing a sign of life to these derelict shop windows. The young artists had to cope with the bureaucratic barriers of the municipality and all institutions involved, the reluctant shop owners, the negative indignant Athenians who didn’t want shiny Christmas balls and reindeer to conceal the present economic chaos, the delayed deadlines. It took a great deal of energy to make everybody concerned understand their ideas.
And it finally came to life! 15 empty shop windows in Athens center showcase art.
The pieces can be seen on the classic shopping route leading from the city center all the way up to Kolonaki, along Stadiou, Acadimias, Voukourestiou, Amerikis, Skoufa, Solonos and Patriarchou Ioakeim streets.
Christmas and New Year are holidays, which always bear the hope for better and more successful days, but there is no way to ignore the facts of reality. These young artists offer us their unique perspective. It’s truly amazing how creative they can become in the middle of such crisis.
Their work has captured and expresses the general mood that is prevailing in Greece and in the world as a whole: unemployment, recession, poverty, confusion, abandonment, insecurity, chaos…
The project will be on display until January 7th 2012 and everyone can spend some time between work, walks or holiday shopping to understand the perception of our young Greek artists.