These past weeks have been such a ride! While our Hangar 1 Space Oddissey by Kosmica Institute is coming to an end (and we cannot wait to give you a full report!) Clem & Stina have been out and about all over the place discovering new artists in Documenta. Clem jetted off to a much deserved mini vacation in Greece and brought with her impressions about the Athens part of the biennial.
Even though the critiques about this event were… varied (to euphemize), Clemmie is deeply infused by the sentiment of displacement that the people we help at Hangar 1 live in, so her presence and analysis are obviously, influenced. Which we see as a totally positive thing, seen that everything we absorb and contemplate is poured into our much-loved work.
Here are Clem’s favorites:
Marble tent by Rebecca Belmore – Filopappou Hill
The sculpture is placed on the hill opposite the Acropolis. Many have responded to the tent as a reflection of the refugee crisis in Greece. Yet, the strength and security of marble, the material of the Acropolis the place of ‘the birth of democracy’, is far from the reality for the refugees. Sitting inside the sculpture and gazing out on the historic view and its surrounding blue sky, I had a huge sense of meditative peacefulness. Then in remembering the shape and form of the structure I was in, a home of many fleeing families, it felt contradictory to be feeling such peace. I believe Rebecca Belmore desired the public to use the spot as a place of reflection in reference to whatever sentiment the tent arose in each individual.
Nisyros by Vivian Suter – Filopappou Hill – Pikionis Paths and Pavilion
The pavilion shows works by Vivian Suter and her mother Elisabeth Wild, who live and work together in a Guatemalan rain forest. She uses oil, volcanic material, earth, botanical matter and microorganisms from her surroundings to create the works on canvas.
We (all) are people by Hans Haacke – On the Contemporary Art Museum Athens (also called EMST)
Occupation by Ahlam Shibli – Contemporary Art Museum (EMST)
Palestinian photographer showing her villages that are unrecognised by Israel in the Negrav. The photo series create a ‘reportage’.
Food for thought, food for change Performance Installation by Rasheed Araeen – Kotzia Square
An opportunity for people from different countries, classes and with different languages to sit and eat together. I sat on a table with 4 Greek men who came to the installation regularly, mainly for the free food. They couldn’t speak English and I could not speak Greek. ‘There is no need for language in the tent’, so we conversed with smiles, laughter and by the end we were dancing.
Now next Saturday’s a big one for the Hangar 1 Crew: as mentioned it’s our last Space Mission! so now we’re off to set up our equipment for the intergalactic trip (and to prepare for work, cause it’s Monday and this is real life after all).
