Stella Dimitrakopoulou presents the video performance ‘Construction Insight’ in the context of the exhibition «The beauty and its rival»

The video-performance Construction Insight presents a process of exploration and shaping of a partially demolished construction site and the materials it contains. Simultaneously, this process is linked to the search for and shaping of human identity. The work constitutes an alchemical experiment with structural materials and bodies in a ritualistic journey inward.

Video-performance CONSTRUCTION INSIGHT
«The beauty and its rival»

Centrally located on Agias Eirinis Square in the heart of Athens, stands the shell of the old Athenian Hotel
“Byron”. Its construction began 190 years ago under the name Hotel “Anatoli” during the first half of the
19th Century (1833-39) when Athens had just become the capital of the newly established Greek state
(1834). It was the most distinguished hotel of the time, hosting prestigious receptions and galas for the
Athenian society. It is believed to have accommodated King Othonas upon his arrivals in Athens. Βetween
1839 and 1842, it had housed the National Observatory of Athens before relocating to the hill of Nymphs
in the historic area of Thissio. The ground floor contained a collection of small shops for clothes and
pesticides. In 1987 the building was classified as a historical monument by the Hellenic Ministry of
Culture.

In a city that we love to hate either because we don’t consider it to be ours, or we see ourselves as mere
bystanders or we like to complain, changes are constantly taking place. Considering these developments,
are we prepared? Does the new-old Athens keep us captive to its ideology? A course of visual ideas open
discussion on the future city model. Gotham city, Limnopolis, Athens is the new Berlin (without money
though), Athens/Kabul. This serves as inspiration for artists as they respond, along with conversations led
by architects, poets, engineers, and shopkeepers, to the conceptualization of the ‘ideal’ city model. The
shell of the old Athenian Hotel “Byron” which is undergoing restoration will host experimental
installations, screenings and performances, bringing after decades, new life the building’s empty rooms
and shops.

Noam Assayag, Katerina Botsari, Capten, Stella Dimitrakopoulou, Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos/
Odysseas Klissouras, Lah Porella, Helen Polychronidou, Natassa Poulantza, Hector Theoulakis,
Theodoros Zafeiropoulos.

Curated by: Georg Georgakopoulos

25 – 28.11.2023
Opening: Saturday, November 25, 19:00 – 22:00
Hours: Daily and weekends, 18:00 – 22:00
Former hotel «Byron»
38 Aiolou str. Athens 105 51, entrance from Agias Eirinis Square

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