Revamped Art Athina opens at the Helexpo Center in Maroussi
Ambitious objectives have been set for this year’s Art Athina, an international fair which opened at the Helexpo Center (39 Kifissias, Maroussi, tel 210.616.8888) in Athens yesterday with a new team at its helm. The event’s organizers hope that the new-look fair, being held for the 13th time and set to run until Sunday, will establish itself as an emblematic post-Olympics offering that will serve to highlight artistic activity in the wider region. The organizers also hope that the increased interest being shown by high-caliber galleries abroad, as well as stricter selection criteria of participating galleries, will lead to an overall upgrade of Art Athina. New initiatives include a scheme titled «Basic Plan,» under which galleries will be singled out each year and given the opportunity to present their own parallel project. This time round, the opportunity has been given to the Athens-based gallery The Breeder, which, in turn, has proposed a project titled «Contemporary Club.» It will feature 10 prominent international galleries that have participated in some of the world’s most significant art fairs. Also new on the agenda is «Open Plan,» through which individual artists will present their work through exhibitions instead of the fair’s pavilions. Participating artists, proposed by their galleries, either as emerging, mid-career or established trendsetters, are given the opportunity to create a unique one-size show or project, some with oversize pieces and installations. Art Athina’s organizers have also planned a parallel project with the objective of maximizing both public and specialized interest. Activity here will include a project by the artistic team Guerrilla Girls titled «Art Scene-Art Seen,» designed to offer the viewer an interactive role. Russia is honored nation at this year’s Art Athina. Curated by Victor Misiano, an exhibition titled «On Geekdom» will offer visitors a taste of Russia’s contemporary art scene, while leading Russian galleries will be on show in a separate wing. Art Athina’s artistic director is Christos Savvidis, while the event is also counting on the participation of leading Greek and foreign curators, including Cecilia Canziani, Junko Li, Nadia Argyropoulou, Katerina Zacharopoulou and Artemis Potamianou.
