10.01.2005
Photo-Ausstellung über Athen: A DIFFERENT LOOK AT ATHENS

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT ATHENS
A multinational photo exhibition about Athens

Eight photographers from six countries were inspired by Athens and exhibit their photographs in the lobby of a genuinely Athenian hotel.

Athena Grand Hotel, 65 Athinas Str, Κοtzia Square
January 10th – January 23rd 2005
Opening: Monday, January 10th, at 8.00 p.m.

The exhibition, supported by the city of Athens, is hosted at the Athena Grand Hotel, Grecotel’s newest small luxury property, in Kotzia Square next to the City of Athens Hall, from January 10th to January 23rd, 2005.

The eight photographers, originally coming from Germany, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal and the U.K. and most of whom currently living in Greece were inspired by Athens and have pictured the various sides of the city, depicting the Athenian beauty as they saw it.
The photographers responded to an open invitation made by the organisation «ΠΡΟΣΕΓΓΙΣΙΣ» (“Proseguissis”) – “APPROACH”, a Greek civil company, founded this summer by two Greeks, an Italian, a German and a Spanish with the purpose of promoting “multinational” cultural initiatives.
«ΠΡΟΣΕΓΓΙΣΙΣ» chose to have the exhibition in a hotel, primarily because of the latter’s main function: multinational people are hosted, together with city residents spending their free time. Athena Grand hotel was the first choice because of its location in the heart of Athens, its neoclassical façade blend well with Athens’ heritage, the colorful and homey lobby and the fact that Grecotel, “the most hospitable greek family” strongly supports arts and culture.
It is true that Athens is not considered as a city of beauties, at least not of obvious beauties. Its beauty is hidden and is something to be discovered. The Athenians may have a rather prejudiced view of their city or might even not notice the city’s beauties. On the contrary, the city’s visitors and the non Athenians who have lived for a certain time in Athens can offer a “fresh”, clearer and more unprejudiced view of the city. With such a fresh look at the city, the exhibition photographers manage to show us some of the city’s obvious or hidden beauties.
The photographers have discovered the city’s beauties in hidden city corners, in old surviving buildings and post-war block of flats, the city’s hidden green, aspects of the ancient in harmony with the modern, panoramic views of the city from its hills and sunsets in the coast of Attica.
The members of «ΠΡΟΣΕΓΓΙΣΙΣ» - “APPROACH”, driven by their desire to promote Athens’ beauty and its potential as a source of artistic inspiration, collected the photographers’ work and have worked during the past 5 months to organize this exhibition.
It is now their pleasure to invite you all to this exhibition, which will give you the chance to see Athens with a different look.