Alongside dozens of well-established galleries in Athens, a vibrant network of independent, artist-run and non-profit art spaces are keeping the spirit of the avant-garde alive. Foreign artists, gallerists and curators are even relocating to Athens to be part of the action. If you’re itching to discover where all the emerging and underground Greek art is, check out these art spaces in Athens.
Courtesy: Atopos CVC
Atopos CVC
Housed in a stunning neoclassical townhouse built in 1912, Atopos cvc is a non-profit organisation dedicated to contemporary visual culture (hence the acronym in its name). Exploring the role of the human body in art and design, projects span fashion, photography, art publishing, digital and queer art—a wildly diverse programme curated by artistic director, Vassilis Ziniadakis.
The Asklipiou Cluster
Somewhere around the intersection of Asklipiou and Kallidromiou streets, three new art spaces have unintentionally grouped together. A-DASH (open during events or by appointment) is an artist-run residency founded by an Icelander, a Swiss, a Brit and a Greek that also hosts talks, performances and exhibitions by young artists. Just across the street, theatre director Vassilis Noulas and visual artist Kostas Tzimoulis (a.k.a VASKOS) have turned a small apartment into a project space named simply Asklipiou 99 (open during events or by appointment) where they present work by local artists, as well as staging their own performances. Half a block down the street, a corner shop has been transformed into an alternative gallery and residency by Phoenix Athens. The programme focuses mainly on graphic artists, illustrators, and conceptual art.
Courtesy: Booze Cooperativa
Booze Cooperativa
An Athenian institution, whose owner has also founded his own satirical political party called CHICKENS, Booze Cooperativa is a multi-functional social space dedicated to visual art, great music and chess. Long communal tables are a popular spot for students with laptops, the DJ turntables are always spinning, while the upstairs event space and basement gallery always have something on show, including exhibitions by lesser-known artists, book launches and concerts. A great spot for a coffee break and people-watching.
CHEAPART
The non-profit art organisation CHEAPART was founded in 1995 by artists Georg and Dimitris Georgakopoulos. Open during events or by appointment, its mission is to promote and support contemporary art in Athens and abroad. Its main space, just off Exarchia Square, is the epicentre of an international network of collaborations and hosts temporary exhibitions and performances.
Courtesy: Cheapart
Courtesy: Panagiotis Voulgaris
FokiaNou Art Space
This artist-run space is probably the highest art gallery in town. In a seventh-floor apartment a few blocks from Kallimarmaro stadium, FokiaNou Art Space was set up in 2014 by Blanka Amezkua and is now managed by artists Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. Check their calendar for openings: you will be surprised how many people can fit into this tiny penthouse.
Hot Wheels Projects
This young, British-run gallery has found its home inside an ornate neoclassical building overlooking the Athens Polytechnic. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays and by appointment, it’s a great place to discover new and exciting artists from Greece and abroad, as well as independent art publications for your bookshelf. Opening nights are rumoured to turn into parties.
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
The Kaïri Cluster
One of Athens's most iconic arcades is home to packaging shops, knick-knackeries, and a couple of hidden art spaces. Climb up the monumental marble staircase to the second floor to visit Haus N Athen (Thu-Fri 15:00-20:00 Sat 13:00-18:00), a German-owned art space that showcases local artists, with a distinctly contemporary aesthetic that leans towards the conceptual. One floor up, the photography collective Metapolis (open during events or by appointment), holds workshops but also exhibitions by professional photographers and students. The balcony has a bird’s-eye view of busy Athinas Street below.
State of Concept
State of Concept is a non-profit cultural institution founded in 2013 by art critic iLiana Fokianiaki. The foundation organises exhibitions, screenings, artist talks and educational programmes in a former clothing workshop. Combine with a visit to Float Gallery, a new space just across the street, dedicated to photography.
Courtesy: State of Concept
Courtesy: Stoa 42
Stoa 42
One of the most unusual art spaces in Athens is the window of a former shop hidden inside a stoa (arcade) on bustling Panepistimiou Street. Now functioning as an experimental art showcase, Stoa 42 is open 24/7 and is a favourite spot for local and foreign artists to display their work. The friendly café owner next door will provide information about the project if the artists aren’t there to greet you.
Victoria Square Project
During documenta 14, artists Rick Lowe and Maria Papadimitriou launched a “social sculpture” near Victoria Square—a space where local migrant and refugee communities could meet, learn, exchange and help each other through art. Today, Victoria Square Project is still up and running, organising workshops, exhibitions, dance lessons and art walks in the area. Even Marina Abramovic has paid them a visit.
Courtesy: Victoria Square Project