On the ‘Lookout’ to make Greek capital a more attractive place
Usually found guilty of poor quality buildings, Athens is getting a chance to demonstrate that there is more than one way to look at the city. Goodwill and imagination is all it takes: An attractive image or a colorful, exciting idea imprinted on a building’s facade has the power to change a street’s or even a neighborhood’s atmosphere. The «Lookout» initiative, an beautification activity organized by the Fifth International Film Festival and New Media, known as «e-fos,» in collaboration with the Paralympic Games Athens 2004, may not enjoy any official status, but it is showing the way. Its organizers have invited artists from all over the world, professionals and amateurs alike, to transform through light and color no fewer than 17 public and private Athenian buildings. These include the former Fix brewery on Syngrou, the Ministry of Public Order on Katehaki and the National Research Center on Aghiou Constantinou, among others. The idea attracted 680 local and 47 international applications. On the move The event began last Thursday and runs to this Saturday, featuring 200 images screened through the use of a portable unit carrying a static image projector, with a power of 70,000 lumen, able to cover 1,500 square meters of surface. With daily three-hour screenings (9 p. m. – 1 a. m.), the event’s complete schedule is available on www. lookout. gr. The images not included in the outdoor projections will be screened at the Asty cinema from Sunday to October 1.
