3 Days Private Athens 2022
Art Tour Athens
Why contemporary art in Athens?Why Athens?
Athens, the cradle of Western culture has more to offer than only the Acropolis and souvlaki. The metropolis at the Eastern border of Europe has turned in the last years into a hotspot of contemporary art. Despite the severe financial problems that brought the development of the country to a halt the will to live and the joy of the Greeks remained unstoppable.
The biggest push in contemporary art came unexpectedly with the financial crisis which lasted from 2009 till 2018. The government collapsed and so did the biggest part of the private sector. Only shortly before, from 2000 till 2007 Greece experienced a new period of financial well-being due to big amounts of foreign capital flooding in. That’s when a considerable part of society started to discover the world outside of Greece. Young Greeks and especially artists returned from trips, studies and residences in Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid with new ideas and inspiration. After the first shock they denied the crisis to rule their lives. They decided to take the lead and started low budget art projects, exhibitions and festivals. Since the world was looking towards Greece this updraft did not remain unnoticed.
In 2017 Documenta, the world’s most significant exhibition for contemporary art held its opening reception for the first time outside of Germany: in Athens! By then it was already no secret anymore and the word spread quickly: Athens is the new Berlin.
Itinerary
Dates by arrangement
Including visit of Athens Epidaurus Theatre Festival 2022 (June - September only)
Day 1: Welcome in Athens I Lycabettus I Art in Kolonaki
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridging towards modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and visiting a contemporary show at the Benaki Museum and/or two or three selected gallery art shows in Kolonaki. Where possible an introduction by the artist / art dealer is arranged beforehand. Short lunch break in Kolonaki. After lunch continuation of the gallery tour. End at 7pm. After 9pm dinner at a restaurant famous for its Greek fusion cuisine.
Day 2: Changing of Guards I EMST I Areopag I Psyrri and Graffiti I Art Spaces
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former brewery FIX. The way back leads past the Areopag (Mars’ hill), from where Paul was preaching to the Athenians. After the lunch break walk through the neighbourhood of Psyrri which is famous for its murals and graffitis that were created mostly during the financial crisis. Depending on the time available visit of one or two art spaces. End approx. 6pm. Later in the evening visit of the Athens Epidaurus Festival (in Athens) or dinner.
Day 3: Art Spaces Metaxourgio and Exarchia
Visit and meetings with founders of art spaces in the Metaxourgio and Exarchia district. Both neighbourhoods have largely contributed to Athens’ fame of being a young art city. In Metaxourgio, named after a silk mill, young entrepreneurs and artists have settled in old factories and warehouses and have established a thriving art and restaurant scene. Exarchia, has always been a melting pot for bohemians, artists, anarchists and partisans. An exciting and sometimes turbulent area, far away from mass tourism. Recently Exarchia has been revived by young artists opening studios and non-commercial art spaces. Transfer between the areas by taxi. Lunch in the neighbourhood. End is approx. at 6-8pm (art spaces tend to be open from 5-8pm).
Options:
The tour can be adapted individually.
Including visit of Athens Epidaurus Theatre Festival 2022 (June - September only)
Day 1: Welcome in Athens I Lycabettus I Art in Kolonaki
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridging towards modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and visiting a contemporary show at the Benaki Museum and/or two or three selected gallery art shows in Kolonaki. Where possible an introduction by the artist / art dealer is arranged beforehand. Short lunch break in Kolonaki. After lunch continuation of the gallery tour. End at 7pm. After 9pm dinner at a restaurant famous for its Greek fusion cuisine.
Day 2: Changing of Guards I EMST I Areopag I Psyrri and Graffiti I Art Spaces
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former brewery FIX. The way back leads past the Areopag (Mars’ hill), from where Paul was preaching to the Athenians. After the lunch break walk through the neighbourhood of Psyrri which is famous for its murals and graffitis that were created mostly during the financial crisis. Depending on the time available visit of one or two art spaces. End approx. 6pm. Later in the evening visit of the Athens Epidaurus Festival (in Athens) or dinner.
Day 3: Art Spaces Metaxourgio and Exarchia
Visit and meetings with founders of art spaces in the Metaxourgio and Exarchia district. Both neighbourhoods have largely contributed to Athens’ fame of being a young art city. In Metaxourgio, named after a silk mill, young entrepreneurs and artists have settled in old factories and warehouses and have established a thriving art and restaurant scene. Exarchia, has always been a melting pot for bohemians, artists, anarchists and partisans. An exciting and sometimes turbulent area, far away from mass tourism. Recently Exarchia has been revived by young artists opening studios and non-commercial art spaces. Transfer between the areas by taxi. Lunch in the neighbourhood. End is approx. at 6-8pm (art spaces tend to be open from 5-8pm).
Options:
The tour can be adapted individually.
Services included
Tour host Jordanis Theodoridis in English or German
Ticket cable car up to Lycabettus Hill
Entry ticket museum temporary exhibition
Transfer by taxi to art spaces and back into the centre of town
Price: EUR 450 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Villa Brown Ermou, https://brownhotels.com/athens/villa-ermou
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro (Euro 10) or taxi (flat rate Euro 35).
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants. Due to the present COVID-19 situation a private travel insurance is strongly recommended.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
The tour will be in English. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last fifteen years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and include by now also Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com
Ticket cable car up to Lycabettus Hill
Entry ticket museum temporary exhibition
Transfer by taxi to art spaces and back into the centre of town
Price: EUR 450 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Villa Brown Ermou, https://brownhotels.com/athens/villa-ermou
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro (Euro 10) or taxi (flat rate Euro 35).
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants. Due to the present COVID-19 situation a private travel insurance is strongly recommended.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
The tour will be in English. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last fifteen years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and include by now also Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com