Art in a 100-year-old urban oasis

It is such a well-kept secret that all but the most passionate of urban explorers are unaware of its existence. Since the end of the 19th century, the premises of the French School in Athens have opened to the public on very few occasions. A scientific avaton, the archaeological institute had so far sporadically hosted events for Bastille Day, on July 14.

Founded in 1846, the French School is the oldest foreign archaeological institute in Athens. In 1872, the institution started operating at its current residence on Didotou Street, where half a hectare was planted at the time. Nowadays it is set in a 100-year-old urban oasis with robust trees and well-groomed flowerbeds. This mysticism-filled garden is currently hosting “Terrapolis,” an exhibition running to the end of July. The show, put together by Greek cultural organization NEON and the Whitechapel Gallery, showcases sculptures, installations and films by 37 Greek and international artists.

“Terrapolis” follows a previous NEON exhibition, “A Thousand Doors” at the Gennadius Library. Thanks to that display, numerous locals visited the landmark library at the American School of Classical Studies in central Athens, a place usually frequented only by scholars and academics. This year it’s the French School’s turn to explore the interaction between contemporary art and the city – and the result is very pleasing to the eye.

“The title of the display is a reference to the relationship between man and animal, the earth, the myths, how nature keeps echoing in the city. It’s a term coined by science philosopher Donna Haraway. The participating artists develop this dialectic relationship through four sections focusing on the notions of myth, drama, transformation and bioethics. Besides, the framework of our activities has to do with public spaces and they way they operate, in all their dimensions,” noted NEON director Elina Kountouri during a recent visit.

The exhibition features works by established and up-and-coming Greek and foreign artists, works that appear as if emerging from the surrounding vegetation. In the French School’s grounds, several surprises await the visitor, given that the show’s curators, Whitechapel director Iwona Blazwick, Poppy Bowers and Kountouri, selected works by foreign artists that seem to be “in conversation” with the trees, the scenery and the building.

None of the works on display belongs to collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos, NEON’s founder; rather, they come from other private collections and museums. Based on its strategy to support Greek artists, NEON commissioned five local artists – Athanasios Argianas, Eleni Kamma, Dionisis Kavallieratos, Aliki Palaska and Kostas Sahpazis – to develop works for the exhibition.

“Terrapolis” is a tightly knit visual arts story in which the sculptures of Ugo Rondinone (the first to greet visitors), William Cobbing (hanging between trees), Allora & Calzadilla (a lovely hippopotamus developed in situ) and Angus Fairhurst (a chimpanzee), along with the enigmatic compositions of Sarah Lucas and Palaska, undoubtedly stand out.

Trilogy

The exhibition is the second part of a trilogy focusing on Athenian public spaces (a third show is expected in 2016) and complements other NEON activities, such as Tino Sehgal’s performance at the Roman Agora last year. A proposal for an exhibition in the National Garden is still pending – the issue has now reached the Council of State, following a strong reaction mainly with regard to planting projects announced by the cultural organization.

Meanwhile, Daskalopoulos, an extrovert and avid collector, has never hidden his desire to contribute to the meeting between public life and contemporary art.

“NEON aims to bring the ideas and emotions of contemporary art closer to the broader public,” Daskalopoulos told Kathimerini. “Art is a fundamental human need. Contemporary art urges you to consciously develop in a world of constant, rapid change. In this way it can stimulate both individual and collective conscience, rendering us more capable of dealing with all the different challenges we face. At the same time, bringing together culture and growth remains a core issue in a country with such a rich history, a place where culture could develop into a particular type of heavy industry. Investing in culture is a stepping stone in terms of sustainable growth, perhaps the surest bet for growth we could ever place as a country, no matter how tough things turn out to be in Greece.”

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At the French School in Athens (6 Didotou, tel 210.367.9900). For more information on the show, visit www.neon.org.gr.