The sound of the Athenian streets resonated through the Athens Biennale during Heaven’s two day Hip-Hop music event, which brought together thousands of visitors of all ages and 14 music groups. The barriers of “high” and “low” art are being constantly questioned fopr a long time now, in a perfect place like Heaven, however, they just don’t exist.
Eva Stefani’s Virgin Mary, in her performance “Heretismoi”. The controversial Greek artist-cinematographer delivered a poetic performance as part of “Heaven_Live” exhibition, curated by Dimitris Papaioannou and Zafos Xagoraris, in front of Flisvos building by the beach.
Under the title “Little Angels”, the educational programme of the 2nd Athens Biennale run through September, offering the opportunity to young visitors to try out their own artistic inclinations. Organized in collaboration with the artists of the exhibition, the programme provided children with the chance to work and play, familiarizing themselves with sculpture and painting, web art and interactive games. Heaven’s theme was complemented by artistic innocence.
Andreas Angelidakis gave a lecture yesterday, in the Glass Building, next to the main venue of the 2nd Athens Biennale 2009 HEAVEN. He walked us through various projects he has completed in the last ten years, and he spoke about the intricacies of designing exhibitions. He described various ideas that inform his work, and how they they played a part in the design of the 2nd Athens Biennale. Those not fortunate enough to have listened to the lecture may find more information on Andreas Angelidakis’s work on his website and his blog. A text covering the process that led to the highly acclaimed design of the Biennale is included in the 2nd Athens Biennale catalogue.
The International Necronautical Society (INS), founded in 1999 and based in London, delivered the Athens Declaration on Inauthenticity, on Sunday 14 June 2009, as part of the “Hotel Paradies” exhibition, curated by Nadja Argyropoulou, 2nd Athens Biennale 2009 HEAVEN. Watch the video of the event that took place on the Esplanade, near the main venue of the Biennale. More on INS: http://necronauts.org
Artist Michael Gibson worked with sound engineers at ARUP to create YNWA (2009), an installation of three sound samples: Liverpool football fans, the voice of Marcel Duchamp, and The Conversation by Francis Ford Coppola. These correspond to three functions: transposition, negation, and substitution.
The work was commissioned by the 2nd Athens Biennale 2009 HEAVEN, as part of the Splendid Isolation, Athens exhibition, curated by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz.
Listen to the sound piece by Michael Gibson, while touring through the space where it is presented, at the Biennale main venue.
“Monument to Internet Hookups”, a work by Angelo Plessas, takes a ride through downtown Athens, from the Athens Pride parade to its exhibition space at Trocadero Park, close to the main Biennale venue. The work is a new production of the Biennale, part of the “Splendid Isolation, Athens” exhibition, curated by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, and is presented in collaboration with Athens Pride. More photos from “Monument to Internet Hookups” here.
This short documentary by Art Walk – TVXS.gr, presented by Iliana Fokianaki, gives us a tour of the exhibitions in the main venue of the 2nd Athens Biennale 2009 HEAVEN. The presentation is in Greek, but we hope the images transcend language barriers! Take the tour!
The overlooked art of portraiture takes a fresh approach at The “Beret from Montmartre” project, part of the Velvet festival. Well known artists recapture the spirit of Montmartre (and even the common Greek island sight of sidewalk artists) doing for free the portraits of the audience and passersby. You made me look great!
The ultimate football game between artists and musicians was the highlight of the Velvet Days in Heaven festival. Under an amazing dj set of international and local football anthems pulsating the Water Plaza,the home team of Artists beat the team of Musicians with a score of 4-3, therefore the trophy will adorn the biennale’s headquarters for the next two years
The Flakes performing live just outside Flisvos building, the central venue around which the exhibition “Live”, curated by Papaioannou and Xagoraris, revolves. Electrifying the Faliro promenade.
Antti Laitinen’s work “It’s My Island” has already been identified as an iconic work of the 2nd Athens Biennale. His performance of rowing his self made island as well as the one during which he built a new small island from scratch, are parts of Faliro beach-goers’ daily life.
Errands’ installation of a 70’s futuristic house by the sea. The strange spaceship-looking house became a hub for various activities (such as KU’s live performance in the photo) and is the ultimate landmark of Flisvos promenade!
Its time for Yoga in the work of Benita and Immanuel Grosser! Although the two artists/yoga instructors are not in the venue anymore, the mats and recorded instructions are still available for you to use. So stretch out cause art can be good for your health too
Larry Gus performing at the small playground of Batis beach. A spontaneous mixture of daily life and art, swimmers and kids under the spell of contemporary music. Who said that art is only for museums, galleries and art centers? Yet another public intervention from the exhibition “Live” curated by Papaioannou and Xagoraris.
The somewhat biblical clouds in AB2’s posters are actually inspired from the sky in Faliro, as you can see from the photo taken at HEAVEN’s cafe by the sea at the Water Plaza, the biennale’s main venue. This is the definite meeting point for late drinks and getting together.
Filopappou group has turned the promenade into a lively platform for partying/relaxing/discussing/gathering with their public intervention titled “Et In Arcadia Ego”. One of the most idyllic spots at the Faliro coast and a perfect communal stop-over.
My Wet Calvin in a ‘mystical’ live performance at Batis beach. The passers-by were curious “is it a new religious sect?, is it a ceremony?”, as paper wings were mandatory for everyone wishing to enter in the tent and a paper-bearded St Peter made sure nobody with clipped wings would enter. Finally the tent was torn and the angels spread in Faliro.
Angels in action! AB2’s devoted team of volunteers are the spirit of the free guided tours in HEAVEN held weekly. The visitors are thrilled to get to know the works in depth in special 90min tours through the 5 exhibitions of the main venue. The guided tours targeted to the art aficionado and the general public alike are carefully planned by AB’s educational team and one of the things that make us proud, and the public tends to agree :-)
Internationally acclaimed experimental music composer ILIOS performing live in Heaven. His “Symphony for Electronics and Internal Combustive Engine” resonated the arches of the Water Plaza.
A group of visitors in 3D glasses enjoying one of the most captivating works on display: Zoe Beloff’s 
“The Ideoplastic Materializations of Eva C”, part of the exhibition “Hotel Paradies” (curated by Nadja Argyropoulou). A video installation of 4 projectors recapturing with a wink the essence of early 20th century spiritualistic seances with ghosts, mediums and ectoplasms.
Konstantinos B, prominent figure of greek electronic music and former leader of Stereo Nova, in a guerilla DJ set playing his favourite vinyls in Batis stage by the sea. Nostalgic songs and sea breeze.
Biennale’s intern Kyle Dancewicz (center), a Harvard college student, is giving a tour to twelve of his classmates at the outdoor installations in Water Plaza, using the free bicycles offered by Biennale’s major sponsor COSMOTE.
A feast for hundreds the work of Lucy + Jorge Orta “70X7 The Meal”. In case you are wondering, it was grilled chicken, greek salad (of course) and wine!
Carrier ship Chloe close to Faliro beach. Artist Adrian Williams refuses to disclose information on it. Rumors on Chloe have already spread in the daily press but AB’s press office is unable to confirm.
Tea Makipaa’s fully functional water pipe system of a stripped down house is now part of everyday life of Faliro beach goers. Art and beach games or art as a beach game?
The colossal “Egg Tray” by Kostas Roussakis at the Water Plaza as part of the “How Many Angels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin?” exhibition (curated by Christopher Marinos). An amazing ‘alien intelligence’ sculptural or even architectural work.
Monika is performing live in the middle of the huge children’s playground in Flisvos Park. The black star on her robe makes you think that she is a true (dark) star, while her amazing songs and deep voice bring thrills to the audience. Monika’s captivating performance was part of “Heaven_Live” exhibition curated by Dimitris Papaioannou and Zafos Xagoraris.
A newly wed couple taking photos in Manfredi Beninati’s “Triangles and Squares Made out of Circles”. Part of the “Hotel Paradies” exhibition curated by Nadja Argyropoulou, Beninati’s work resembling ruins of an imaginary hotel room is already a landmark at the Water Plaza.
Sandra Kranich’s mesmerizing firework-sculpture “Lost Star” in Heaven’s opening. “Lost Star” is part of the exhibition “Hotel Paradies” curated by Nadja Argyropoulou.
The Key to Heaven is Hi-Tec! The 2nd Athens Biennale, with the aid of its major sponsor Cosmote, created a novel way of experiencing contemporary art exhibitions, bringing engagement with contemporary art to the next level. Through a specially designed application by the austrian company NousGuide in collaboration with AB’s team, all visitors can use for free their very personal I-Phone guides throughout all 6 exhibitions. With hundreds of entries covering all works, visitors can learn much of the complex artistic practicies each artist deploys. Take your time to browse Heaven!
Malcolm McLaren’s new film “Paris” premiered in the Athens Biennale, as part of the “Splendid Isolation, Athens” exhibition curated by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz. McLaren shared his views on the city of Paris, romantic encounters, old TV commercials and much more in his own distinctive way. “Paris” will be screened at Faliron Village Cinemas.
The Callas featuring the Callasettes in a truly magical midnight summer gig in Flisvos park.
The work of Barking Dogs United forming the phrase “For Sale” with the use of orange beach umbrellas, part of the exhibition “Heaven_Live” curated by Dimitris Papaioannou and Zafos Xagoraris. The umbrellas are enjoyed daily and free of charge by hundreds of swimmers and sunbathers
