Περί λαϊκισμού και άλλων δαιμονίων / On populism and other demons

G.G. Maquez's book, speaks of a forbidden love between a young monk and a very very young girl kept at a monastery due to a disease she suffers from. A relationship one would say definetely special and surely "forbidden" and maybe even possibly sinful...kind of like the relationship between audiences and greek art, i cant help but think. I am writing this with the knowledge that most of my very few readers will most probably laugh or better bitterly smile. Still i will continue this trail of thought :)

We are before an important event in Athens. No matter that many of us, from time to time, didnt really think it would be a reality, or if it would, it would have any actual impact. However, no one can deny the fact that the announcement of a Biennial in Athens, has caused a stir, and mostly an internal one, and of course spurred a dialogue amongst artists, curatos, critics etc. And an intense one. Lately this dialogue has stopped, i think slightly due to the fact that the names of the artists have been now announced. :)

There are dozens of greek blogs discussing about this biennial, about the art scene, about this "contemporary greek art scene" a phrase i am honestly sick of hearing...it sounds to me as fresh and natural and healthy as McDonald's...i would so much rather see what these artists produce than stick labels on it and name it as "something" which immediately turns into a product to be promoted...then again at this phase in which greek art is, any promotion is good..however dangerous.

I read all these blogs with great interest but i cant help it, i always think...all this energy and stuborness if these artists (if they are artists) actually put it in their art, they would definetely produce great work.

During last December i had the unbelievable honour and luck to step into Vlassis Kaniaris's house. For me one of the fiercest and most serious artists of his generation, and consequently of the after-war greek art. I heard him in awe speak about his colleague and contemporary Nikos Kessanlis calling him "kleftokota" - a greek expression meaning a thief- but he said it with such tenderness, love and respect that it was the best compliment he could give.

I think this is one thing that lacks these days. Possibly, this Biennial coming up, we should all consider reviewing our stand. This is an event that will definitely promote greek art out of its borders. The goal should be, or at least i would like it to be, to accentuate the contemporary artists of this country.
I am possibly a romantic and a non-realistic, or stupidly idealistic, but! all eyes are gonna turn to Athens on the10th of September..Whatever happens, whatever the result, the point i think is for greek art to have said something with essense (and reality towards its situation).

Of course considering the budget that has been raised, there will be a result, in conjunction to the organization of the event, the selection of works, the curating etc etc. Frankly, i dont think the point is whether they will slaughter us at foreign mags, or at posh art restaurants in London and Berlin. I mean the gigantic Documenta took some lately, so i dont think this Biennial will come out of it with no scratches. The point however is, when the lights go off, what will we have said. What have we done?

Oh and you may as well tell me, missy, why on earth are you using all these "we"s? No, i have nothing to do with this biennial, apart from maybe giving directions to lost tourists on their way to technopolis. I am only recently working in the arts actually...

What im stressing is that i really dont care as much for the result, as i care for the procedure and what will that leave to all the people in the greek arts. I think the result, is mostly important for the audiences, and especially the ones that have nothing to do with art apart from liking it. Again many people might consider me a populist, my apolologies but i am one, and i am planning on remaining one. An exhibition of this size, which has already received press in big newspapers, womens magazines, tv etc., is one that will have visitors that are Athenians, just curious to see what this is all about, that might know a thing or two about contemporary art, and they definitely have an opinion as to what would be the route through which to destroy the preconceptions on this city.

I guess these are just my thoughts/ideas/hopes, for all of us that work in the arts, and for people that will exist around it -not just those who take part in any form or way in this Biennial- and im probably writing this for me to hear it outloud as well. It is only an anxiety i guess of what we will say, they say, you say. "Them", "us", "you", whoever. My ideal situation is to have a comment, a remark, an observation with meaning, with a point at the end of the inaguration of this Biennial.

I dont care for its gravity. I care for its impact. And through my rose-tinted glasses i believe that it is immediately and inextricably linked to this procedure that i mentioned before, to this process into which greek art will be involved in its whole one way or another. Frankly, i hope for this, and not a pulp, revamped version of Frieze meets YBA's meets Basel or smth like that...