1 Day Private Athens 2022
Day Tour Athens
Why contemporary art in 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
10am
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.
2pm
Short lunch break in Kolonaki
3pm
We will visit one or two art spaces in Botanikos, Metaxourgio or Exarchia depending on the running art shows. Where possible an introduction by the artist is arranged beforehand. Transfers by taxi.
6–8pm
End (art spaces tend to be open from 5-8pm). Transfer back into the city center.
Options:
The tour can be adapted to alternatively include: The EMST (Museum for Contemporary Art), the New Acropolis Museum, The new National Gallery, The Benaki Pireos Museum, Graffiti tour through Psirri and city centre or other temporary art shows.
Studio visits, theatre performances (also in English or English sub-titles) and dinners at renowned contemporary Greek restaurants can also be arranged.
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.
2pm
Short lunch break in Kolonaki
3pm
We will visit one or two art spaces in Botanikos, Metaxourgio or Exarchia depending on the running art shows. Where possible an introduction by the artist is arranged beforehand. Transfers by taxi.
6–8pm
End (art spaces tend to be open from 5-8pm). Transfer back into the city center.
Options:
The tour can be adapted to alternatively include: The EMST (Museum for Contemporary Art), the New Acropolis Museum, The new National Gallery, The Benaki Pireos Museum, Graffiti tour through Psirri and city centre or other temporary art shows.
Studio visits, theatre performances (also in English or English sub-titles) and dinners at renowned contemporary Greek restaurants can also be arranged.
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 165 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
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 165 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
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
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 165 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
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 165 per person (min 2 persons)
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
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