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Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the production and dissemination of art outside of institutional settings in Athens during a time of economic crisis and social upheaval. It considers how the historical production of urban space has engendered radical artistic engagement with the city and its public spaces.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines the production and dissemination of art outside of institutional settings in Athens during a time of economic crisis and social upheaval. It considers how the historical production of urban space, including periods of population growth, haphazard building practices, urban decay and irregular governmental regulation, have engendered a radical kind of social space in the city. Throughout the crisis, subversive practices such as street art, squatting, and occupy movements have been used by artists to transfigure city spaces into heterotopic sites where the forces of cultural hegemony can be contested. By working outside of institutional settings, artists bypass the ‘formalised’ art world, whilst still having their works seen and voices heard. Within the crisis context, the use of urban space in the ‘illicit’ and ‘unsanctioned’ production of art is considered as form of life support for artists who have become increasingly disenfranchised and isolated from formal art institutions.

Ethnographic research for this paper was conducted in Athens, Greece between 2015-2016, with multiple follow up visits up until 2020. Participant observation was primarily conducted amongst graffiti, street, and performance artists, as well as members of artist collectives and other associated social movements. An ‘actively engaged’ research methodology was used with the researcher also acting as performer, musician and artist through participating in the creation and presentation of art.