If a city's dynamism is in part measured by its potential for change then Athens takes is set to take its place among the liveliest European metropolises. During recent years, the pace of transformation has been swift and impressive, turning what was previously a city of limited choices into a buzzing capital in-step with international trends.
The development of a new artistic neighbourhood right in the heart of the city has been one of the most successful and smart changes to have taken place. What was previously an underrated area and is still, primarily, a manufacturing and commercial sector is turning into one of the city's trendier areas, home to hip venues, art galleries and fashionable restaurants.
The transformation began in 1995 when Rebecca Camhi opened her gallery in a loft-like space on Sofokleous Street right off the central market. Tempted by the availability of interesting spaces and relatively low rents, many gallery owners soon followed and gradually the traditional district in upmarket Kolonaki started slumming it downtown in hip Athens.
Stretching from Athinas Street - a main artery connecting Omonia Square with the touristy area of Monastiraki - and extending south to the old quarter of Psirri, this is where the most dense concentration of galleries can be found. More sparingly arranged are a few art venues in where the School of Fine Arts exhibition space is one of the areas highlights and along Pireos Street, one of the city's main avenues leading from Athens to Piraeus.
The trendier location also reflects on the kind of art that they feature. The artists are mostly young and the work shown is more experimental and of a youthful spirit. The general idea is that the art shown here feeds into the international contemporary scene. Foreign artists are therefore a favourite.
Rebecca Camhi gallery for example begins the season with four young international photographers. Japanese Izima Kaoru who began as a fashion photographer is interested in exploring unexpected sides to beauty. In his latest series 'Landscapes with a Corpse' he photographs human victims of car crashes and contrasts the idea of beauty with death. Set in a different mode is the work of Australian photographer Tracey Moffat who is inspired both by mass culture and the cultural diversity of Australia's population. Bill Owens' photographs offer insightful portrayals of US suburbia while Chris Verene makes an indirect criticism of the exploitation of women in the beauty and fashion industry.
Since 1997 when it first opened, Kappatos gallery has mounted challenging exhibits from some of the most reputable international artists. Lynda Benglis has shown her work here while two of the programmed exhibits for this season feature Louise Bourgeois and MarinaAbramovic. The gallery has also instituted an annual show featuring the work of emerging Greek artists.
Unlimited gallery in the heart of Psirri, will show the work of Austrian artist Erwin Wurm who became known in the early 90s through his 'One Minute Sculptures' a combination of photography and sculpture. In November the gallery will take part in Art Athina (an annual event in which most galleries participate) and simultaneously will show the work of French artist Michel Blazy. Artower Agora is a gallery complex on the opposite side of the block where Rebecca Camhi gallery is located. Epikendro, Diana Gallery Downtown and Ourania galleries take up three different storeys of the same building.
Epikendro, one of the participating galleries in this years photomonth features the recent work of Katerina Kana, which is inspired by fashion photography. At the end of October, Epikendro will feature the work of Anita Argyroiliopoulou while in November a large exhibit will mark the gallery's 11th anniversary.
The seasons opening exhibit for Diana Gallery Downtown gallery is organised in the context of the photomonth and features the works of some of the most well known Greek photographers from 1940-60. An exhibit on German painter Astrid Kokka is scheduled for the month of November.
Ourania gallery currently features paintings and engravings by Xenis Sahinis and will participate at the photomonth exhibit next.
A few blocks away, located off Athinas Street and in the borders of Psirri, Artio gallery will feature the work of painter Angie Karatza an installation using the image of a cat - a recurring theme in the artists work. In over a decade of putting on shows the gallery has helped establish the work of conceptual Greek artists.
Young artist Dimitra Vamiali is the artist featured in A.D gallery (in the same building as Artio). The gallery's highlights for this season include an exhibit on Nikos Kessanlis and Steve Giannakos.
Bernier/Eliades gallery which more than a year ago moved from Kolonaki to Thissio, usually showcases international artists and rarely takes on Greek artists. An exception is the forthcoming show on Greek artist Katerina Zacharopoulou whose recent work comprises of a multimedia installation that explores the notion of the nymph.
Around a 15 minute walk heading up Ermou street on the outskirts of Psyrri, Epistrofi gallery which opened a year ago, differentiates itself from the rest of the galleries by organising daily arts programmes for children and staying open until 9.30 every evening. Currently it features watercolours by Cypriot artist Lazaros Menelaou.
Bernier/Eliades, 11 Eptahalkou, Thiseion, ++33 1 341.3935 Works by Katerina Zacharopoulou. 12/10 - 15/11
Rebecca Camhi gallery, 23 Sophocleous, tel ++33 1 321.0448
Works by Bill Owens, Izima Kaoru, Tracey Moffat and Chris Verene. 27/9 -
24/11.
Kappatos Gallery, 6 Aghias Irinis & Athinas, tel ++33 1 321.7931
Louise Bourgeois. 4/10 - 25/11
Epikendro Gallery, 10 Armodiou, tel +33 1 331.2187
Photography by Katerina Kana. 28/9 - 21/10
Diana Gallery Downtown, 10 Armodiou, tel +33 1 324.9626
Group exhibit 25/10 - 25/11
Ourania Gallery, 10 Armodiou, tel ++33 1 324.9606
Xenis Sahinis, 18/9 - 14/10
A.D. gallery, 3 Pallados, tel ++33 1 360.2948
Works by Dimitra Vamiali beginning October and running through November.
Artio gallery, 3 Pallados, tel 321.1602
Angie Karatza, 11/10 - 18/11.
Epistrofi gallery (www.psirri.gr), 6 Taki, tel ++33 1 321.8640
Lazaros Menelaou, 14/9 - 15/10.
Stigma gallery, 2-22 Ag. Anargiron, tel ++33 1 322.1675Unlimited (www.artmag.com/galleries), 1 Kriezi & Sarri, tel ++33 1 331.4375
Sculpture and photography by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, 27/9 - 27/10.
