2021
27.05-24.10.2021
SYMBOLS & Iconic Ruins
137 artists, architects and cultural practitioners from Greece and abroad present 110 works at the Temporary Exhibitions Space (-1).
Organized by EMST & Citylab – Curated by Panayotis Pangalos
Visualizing humanity-A digital exhibition
The first project by the Network of Contemporary Culture Museums of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports is the digital exhibition, which is now available on the platform res.momus.gr.
The exhibition hosts over 100 works of art by 62 artists from the permanent collections of the organizations participating in the Network –the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum (EPMAS), the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST) and the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki (MOMus)– and is co-organized and curated by the art historians of all three collaborating institutions.
9&10.10.2021
MicroDances Athens. An Ideal City
The Greek National Opera Ballet presented MicroDances at three emblematic venues in Athens. A five-hour wandering through dance along the axis of Syggrou Avenue, from the Acropolis Museum at Makrygianni to EMST at Fix and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) at Delta Falirou.
2020
EMST Open. EMST as a storyline
The exhibition under the title EMST Open. EMST as a storyline presented the museum’s story since it first started operating.
The exhibitions, the activities, the educational programs and the move of the museum from space to space defined the museum until its installation at its permanent home.
Through a narration and historical proofs – photographs, videos, posters, banners, leaflets – the audience had the opportunity to travel throughout the museum’s activity and past that formed its present. This exhibition was the base for the creation of this digital Timeline.
Curated by Kassiani Benou
Exhibition Design- Graphic Design: Dimitra Chrona – Schema
28.02 - 04.10.2020
EMST for all
The period during which EMST remained closed to the public for the installation of its permanent collection and the related preparations for its full operation, the Learning Department realized a series of activities titled EMST for all.
22-23-24.05.2020
VASISTAS - No man is an island entire of itself
Τhe first version of the work was presented online, in the framework of the International Museum Day, on the museum’s website, as a live performance, an unusual and uncharted theatrical experience that drew its material from the digital world.
Directed by Argyro Chioti
01-05.07.2020
VASISTAS- No man is entire an island of itself
The second version of the work by Argyro Chioti and VASISTAS theatre group, a performance-invitation to a mental wandering was presented at EMST, following its first online version.
29.08-20.09.2020
All of Greece, One Culture
EMST participated in the program All of Greece, One Culture of the Ministry of Culture & Sports, with events in archeological sites of Attica:Clothes at the Lyceum of Aristotle, LAURIUM at the Archaeological Museum of Lavrio, Deeper than Silence in the Roman Agora.
22.09.2020 - 18.03.2021
UBUNTU - The Harry David Art Collection
66 works by 34 artists from the countries of Africa and its diaspora, from the Harry David Art Collection, are presented in five specially designed rooms within the EMST Temporary Exhibitions Space (Ground Floor).
01.10 - 22.11.2020
Theorimata 2: On History
25 curators, scholars and art critics, members of the Greek Section of AICA, propose 56 artists who, with History as their axis, promote the function of art as an alternative educational tool and a means of dynamically intervening in the social fabric.
09.12.2020 - 28.02.2021
EMST for Health
The Learning Department of EMST, wanting to honor health professionals for their valuable work and the tireless support they offer to the community, has created the program “EMST for Health”, aiming to assist in reducing through art the intensity and fatigue and open a window to dream and creative expression.
2019
As of 2019, EMST’s activities were temporarily suspended so that the Permanent Collection could be installed and the Museum finally becomes fully available to the public.
23.01 - 22.02.2019
Face Forward …into my home
Following its first successful presentation in Athens, Greece and its warm reception in two more Greek cities, Heraklion, Crete and Thessaloniki, the interactive art project Face Forward …into my home traveled for the first time outside Greece and was hosted in Slovakia.
Exhibition curators / Idea-Implementation of the project:
Μarina Tsekou, EMST Education Curator
Ioannis Vastardis, Photographer
Oral Histories
EMST, through Oral histories: The FIX Building programme, focuses on the oral testimonies of people associated with the building: local residents, passers-by, old employees, architects, state officials, and others who remember and retell their narratives, contributing to the preservation of collective memory.
In collaboration with eminent scholars and universities (National Technical University of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panteion University).
Program supervisors: Anina Valkana, Eleni Ganiti
Educational Programs in Schools
The Learning Department realized programs for primary and secondary schools, aimed at enabling teachers and students to get acquainted with the EMST Collection, in the following schools.
Creative Encounters with Contemporary Art
EMST in collaboration with ActionAid Hellas implemented at Epikentro, the empowerment center of ActionAid for free innovative programs for children, teenagers and adults, a program for women titled Creative Encounters with contemporary art.
2018
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Grant
The pivotal moment for EMST in gaining the momentum to achieve full operation of the Museum was a €3,000,000 grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in July 2018, which allowed it to complete essential works. SNF supported the museum in outfitting its exhibition spaces and in preparing and transporting its Permanent Collection for display. Moreover, equipment essential for the museum to operate to the fullest, procured with SNF support, contributed to the establishment and upgrade of spaces including the Media Lounge, the Conservation Laboratory, the Library and Artistic Archive, and the Screening Room.
Collaboration EMST-NATIONAL THEATRE
The 2018-2019 campaign of the National Theatre of Greece was a collaboration characterized by special symbolism between the country’s two leading institutions in the field of performing and visual arts. The promotional material of the performances of that period staged at the National Theatre included images of artworks of Greek and international artists from the EMST Collection.
08.02 - 15.04.2018
Theorimata. Exhibition of AICA Hellas
First presentation of Theorimata, the exhibition of the Greek section of the International Association of Art Critics, at EMST. The promotion and support of the current Greek artistic production through scientific, theoretical and artistic research is the basis of this new project of AICA – Hellas, and the aim is for this event to become a biennial institution.
Concept and coordination: Emmanuel Mavrommatis, President of AICA – Ηellas and Emeritus professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
17.03.2018
Symposium: Shadow Libraries – UbuWeb in Athens
Collaboration with Onassis Cultural Center. UbuWeb, a library that changes the way we see art history. A symbosium with talks about the use of archives, UbuWeb and other shadow libraries was realized at EMST.
29.03 - 15.07.2018
George Drivas. Laboratory of Dilemmas
The video installation Laboratory of Dilemmas of George Drivas, the National Participation at the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia was presented at EMST.
Curator: Orestis Andreadakis
29.03 - 29.04.2018
Yorgos Lazongas. Randomness as Method
The artist’s book and exhibition of representative works from the publication were presented.
28.04.2018
Young Designers Contest
The gr design magazine organized the Young Designers Contest for the 5th consecutive year. EMST hosted the event, embracing the activities that promote and support Greek design.
19.05 - 15.07.2018
Collaboration with the Municipal Institution “Costas Tsoclis Museum”
The exhibition was organized in the framework of the new In – Out programme that aimed to present the work of small, active museums all around Greece. The first collaboration was with the Municipal Institution Costas Tsoclis Museum, then in its eighth year of operation on the island of Tinos.
19.05 - 05.07.2018
Hyper Realities. Benjamin Von Wong
Collaboration with TEDxAthens. The visual artist and photographer Benjamin Von Wong presented a series of hyper-realistic photographs, focused on the current social and environmental issues.
19.05.2018
Collaboration with Arc for Dance Festival
Performances by Stylianos Tsatsos and Ioannis Mantafounis on the occasion of the 2018 International Museum Day.
Curated by Froso Troussa, Coordinated by Kassiani Benou
25-30.05.2018
FIX GAME. A Book- A Game
For 5 days, the architectural Game – Puzzle FIX GAME consisted of white squares 7×7 cm, was changing shapes, proposing to the visitors a different way to learn about the FIX building. Based on Dora’s Theodoropoulou book ΦΙΞFIX 120+ YEARS ARCHITECTURE, Takis C. Zenetos- Margaritis C. Apostolidis, Intersection Point at the history of the Building, which was presented at EMST.
01.06 - 24.06.2018
Good Design Greece Εxhibition
Collaboration with The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum for Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies. The exhibition was part of the drive to promote the designs of Greek and Cypriot designers for the Greek and Cypriot markets in the years 2016-2018.
14.06 - 15.07.2018
Unpacking My Library
It was organized in the context of Athens 2018 World Book Capital of the City of Athens in the Reading room/ Library of the museum, using it for the first time as an exhibition space.
Curated by Anna Mykoniati, Tina Pandi
24.06 - 03.07.2018
Dries Verhoeven. Guilty Landscapes
Collaboration with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. With the large-scale video installation Guilty Landscapes, a unique piece of the Dutch artist Dries Verhoeven, blurring the boundary between performance and installation art, evoked a shared vulnerability between the viewer and the viewed work, unlocking the potential for a deeper connection.
21.09 - 11.11.2018
EMST in the World 3. La verità é sempre un’ altra. Truth Is Always Something Else
The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome and EMST collaborated for the presentation of this unique project. The exhibition included more than 20 works from the EMST Collection that were hosted within Time is Out of Joint, the current set up of the Gallery’s Permanent Collection. The exhibition was the third of the EMST in the World series.
Curated by Katerina Koskina, EMST Director, with the curatorial assistance of EMST Curator Daphne Vitali
04.12.2018 - 20.01.2019
EMST in the World 3. Videos from the collection of the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome
2nd part. Following the exhibition La Veritá é sempre un’ altra (Truth Is Always Something Else), EMST hosted a selection of videos from the Collection of the Galleria Nazionale.
04.12.2018 - 20.01.2019
EMST in the World 3. Botto&Bruno. The ballad of forgotten places
2nd part. EMST in collaboration with Fondazione Merz presented the work of Botto&Bruno The ballad of forgotten places, in the framework of the EMST in the Word 3 series.
27.11.2018 - 17.01.2019
EMST at NAMOC. Beginning was the Word. Concepts-Images-Script
After the presentation of the exhibition CHINESE XIEYI: Masterpieces from the National Art Museum of China in Athens at EMST in the autumn of 2017, part of the EMST Collection traveled to Beijing. The exhibition comprised approximately 80 works by 40 Greek and international artists. Curated by Katerina Koskina (EMST Director), Co-curated by Anna Mykoniati (EMST Curator)
04.12.2018 - 20.01.2019
New Acquisitions. 2017-2018
A selection of historical and contemporary works by 24 artists acquired during 2017 – 2018.
Supporting Greek Artists
EMST has provided support to Greek artists participating in prestigious exhibitions at Museums and Art Foundations in Greece and abroad:
Quando scoppia la pace, Vittorio Veneto, Treviso
EMST supported the national representation of Greece by Bill Balaskas in Italy’s World War I centenary exhibition Quando scoppia la pace (“When Peace Erupts”)
1914 | 1918 NOT THEN NOT NOW NOT EVER!
German Federal Parliament (Reichstag Building), Berlin.
Greece was represented by artist Costas Varotsos. 10.11.2018 – 06.01.2019
Venia Dimitrakopoulou – Primordial Future – Three exhibitions in Italy
Palermo – Torino – Trieste. Curated and coordinated by Afrodite Oikonomidou and Matteo Pacini. 16.11.2018 – 16.06.2019
Rafika Chawishe. Citizen Alien. – Video projections and Installation. Curating & layout by Michalis Argyrou – Athens School of Fine Arts. 30.11 -13.12.2018
Maria Antelman. Disassembler. Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, New York. 8 ιinstallation works were presented, among which the video Disassembler, a co-production of EMST and Pioneer Works. 06.12.2018 – 08.02.2019
Learning Department
Collaboration with the Education Department of the Onassis Cultural Foundation in the context of the latter’s INTERFACES programme. February-May 2018
Through the gaze of others – Portraits and stories from the programme Face Forward … into my home. Collaboration with the International Festival of Ancient Olympia and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. 20.07-20.08.2018
After its presentation in Athens, project Face Forward …into my home was presented at Heraklion (Crete), 14.09 – 14.10.2018 and Thessaloniki, 09.11 -09.12.2018
2017
19.01 - 28.01.2017
Focus on Belgium
Screenings, with works by Belgian artists, and lectures in the framework of the exhibition Urgent Conversations: Athens – Antwerp.
Curated by: Ingo Starz, Constantinos kardakaris, Andrea Cinel
08.04 - 16.07.2017
EMST In the World 2. documenta14 at EMST
The second exhibition of the EMST In the World series was realized through the collaboration of EMST with documenta 14 and lasted from April to September 2017. The two organizations collaborated in the framework of Learning from Athens – documenta’s chosen working title – and materialized the intention of EMST to become extrovert and exhibit its collection to the public. As a result, a double relocation occurred: the former Fix brewery became the main exhibition space of documenta 14 in Athens and Fridericianum became the temporary home of part of the museum’s collection in Kassel, where the exhibition titled ANTIDORON. The EMST Collection presented over 180 works, part of the exhibition of the permanent collection of EMST.
10.06 – 17.09.2017
EMST at documenta 14. ANTIDORON. The EMST Collection
The second exhibition of the EMST In the World series. documenta 14 completed its journey in Athens, having EMST as its main exhibition space. The exhibition ANTIDORON. The EMST Collection followed, with the presentation of 82 artists and 180 works of the museum’s collection at the emblematic building Fridericianum in Kassel.
Curated by Katerina Koskina
Assistant Curators: Tina Pandi, Stamatis Schizakis
Architectural design by Iro Nikolakea
28.04.2017 - 07.01.2018
EMST In the World 1 - part 2. Urgent Conversations. Antwerp – Athens
Presentation of works from the EMST collection in dialogue with works from the M HKA collection, following the first exhibition held in Athens.
Edited by: Bart De Baere, Katerina Koskina
Assistant Curators: Stamatis Schizakis, Jan De Vree
13.05 - 26.11.2017
57th International Art Exhibition. La Biennale di Venezia. Pavilion of Greece
Greece was represented by artist George Drivas with the video installation Laboratory of Dilemmas. EMST had been appointed Commissioner of Greece’s national participation.
Commissioner: Katerina Koskina, EMST Director
Curated by Orestis Andreadakis
Coordinated by Daphne Vitali, Elisabeth Ioannides
13.05 – 26.11.2017
Jan Fabre. Glass and Bone Sculptures 1977-2017
Collateral event of the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
The exhibition presented an unprecedented selection of over forty works in glass and bone produced by the Belgian artist over forty years of work, between 1977 and 2017.
Curated by Giacinto Di Pietrantonio, Director of GAMeC, Bergamo, Katerina Koskina (Director of EMST, Athens) and Dimitri Ozerkov (Head of Contemporary Art Department at The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg)
22.09 – 14.11.2017
CHINESE XIEYI. Masterpieces from the National Art Museum of China
Collaboration with the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) in the context of the Year of Cultural Exchanges between Greece and China.
22.11.2017 – 25.02.2018
Face Forward …into my home
Storytelling workshops and photographic portraits with stories of people forced to leave their homes and are now rebuilding their lives in Greece.
In collaboration with the UNHCR, funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), in the context of the ESTIA programme.
Curated by Marina Tsekou, Ioannis Vastardis
27.11.2017-28.01.2018
New Acquisitions 2014-2017 from the EMST Collection
It featured 39 New Acquisitions by 33 artists that were included in the Museum’s Collection from 2014 to 2017.
Curatorial team: Katerina Koskina, Director
Eleni Ganiti, Anna Mykoniati, Tina Pandi, Stamatis Schizakis, Daphne Vitali
Art Psychotherapy. Exploring the Museum’s Images – Exploring My Image
Ιn 2017 EMST and the First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital collaborated for the creation and implementation of the pioneering art psychotherapy program titled Exploring the Museum’s Images – Exploring My Image. Main aims of the program are the recollection of personal experiences, the cultivation of self-expression, dialogue and cooperation, as well as the enhancement of self-esteem and self-awareness.
Idea – Implementation: Εlisabeth Ioannides, Aphrodite Pantagoutsou
Other activities
Screening Triumphs and Laments by William Kentridge, Screening Room, 18 and 19.05.2017
Worldwide screening in Contemporary Art Museums across the world. In the framework of the International Museum Day 2017.
2nd International Symposium: Performance Philosophy School of Athens
Mezzanine, Curated and organised by Stella Dimitrakopoulou and Stefania Mylona, in collaboration with EMST, 23 and 24.09.2017
Avant – premiere of the film Loving Vincent, about the life and the mysterious death of the great post- impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, the first film ever made entirely hand – painted. 05.10.2017. 4th floor. Co-organized by EMST, Filmcenter Trianon and Culture, Sports and Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens.
2016
PROLEGOMENA (Prologues) programme at the new EMST building
In 2016, while awaiting completion of procedures that would make it fully operational and making the most of the compulsory trial period preceding the final delivery of its permanent home, EMST hosted a series of temporary art events, from summer until the end of the year, aimied at creating synergies with other art institutions in Greece and abroad as well as at encouraging visitors to become acquainted with the new building.
19.05.2016
Lagune. Denis Savary. Performance
In collaboration with the Fluxum Foundation and Flux Laboratory.
21.06.2016
World Music Day
Ιn collaboration with the Greek National Opera.
27.06 - 03.07.2016
Μ.Ε.Σ.Α. Museum of People’s Free Thinking
Curated by: Niovi Zarampouka-Chatzimanou, Marina Tsekou
17 & 18.12. 2016
Displacement – The Road. Performance. Persa Stamatopoulou Contemporary Dance Group
In collaboration with the J. F. Costopoulos Foundation.
EMST in The World
The next event was the first exhibition that inaugurated the EMST temporary exhibition spaces at the Fix building (Ground Floor and -1) and the first exhibition of the EMST in The World series. Every exhibition of this series consists of two parts, one taking place at EMST in Athens and the other at the collaborating institution.
31.10.2016 – 05.02. 2017
EMST In the World 1. Urgent Conversations. Athens – Antwerp
Collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art of Antwerp (M HKA).
Curated By: Bart De Baere, Katerina Koskina
Assistant Curators: Stamatis Schizakis, Jan De Vree
14.11.2016 – 12.01.2017
Museum without a Home. An Exhibition of Hospitality
An initiative by the Greek section of Amnesty International and Oxfam, dedicated to humanity and hope, with exhibits all around Athens.
30.11.2016 – 09.01.2017
Genii Loci. Greek Art from 1930 to Present
Visual arts exhibition during the events of 2016 “Greece-Russia” tribute year. Organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (EMST) and the State Museum of Contemporary Art (Thessaloniki).
Curated By: Efi Agathonikou, Tina Pandi, Thodoris Markoglou Architectural – Museographic design by: Alexandros Xenakis
2015
Μάιος 2015: Μεταφέρθηκαν οι διοικητικές υπηρεσίες του μουσείου στη μόνιμη έδρα του, το πρώην εργοστάσιο Φιξ.
16.05.2015
Digital Platforms
On the occasion of the Press Conference on 16.05.2015, on the occasion of the International Museum Day, EMST activated its Instagram account, @emstathens. Major Greek Instagrammers were invited by the platform itself to photograph the museum’s spaces for the first time and share their photos with #inside_emst.
2015- 2016
Education Department – EMST Without Borders
Project Home. Collaboration with the KETHEA EN DRASI rehabilitation center at the Korydallos Women’s Prison (2015), the team of KETHEA therapists (2015), the closed women’s programme of the 18 Ano Rehabilitation Unit (2016), the Melissa network for migrant women in Greece, and the mixed group of pupils of the Second Chance School of Trikala Prison and the UWC (United World Colleges) of the Adriatic (2016).
2014
06/02 - 02/03/2014
EMST Without Borders. Interactions
On the occasion of its five year collaboration with the Photograph Workshop of the Rehabilitation Center 18 Ano
Curated By: Stamatis Schizakis and Marina Tsekou
13.03 – 07.04.2014
The Ghost Exits. Open rehearsals and performances
A rhetorical installation or a theatrical experience at the Museum’s Project Room with actors Antonis Karystinos and Alexia Kaltsiki, directed by Antonis Galeos.
Coordinated by: Kassiani Benou, Stamatis Schizakis
14.05 – 28.12.2014
Andreas Angelidakis. Every End Is a Beginning
The last exhibition of the museum at the Athens Conservatoire, with a title that reflected also the transitional situation of the museum at the time.
Curated By: Andreas Angelidakis in collaboration with Daphne Vitali
26.09 – 28.12.2014
The Passing: An Homage to Bill Viola
Curated By: Stamatis Schizakis
2013
14.02 – 02.06.2013
Dimitris Alithinos. A Retrospective
A large-scale exhibition of the important artist.
Curated By: Tina Pandi, Stamatis Schizakis
07.03 – 10.04.2013
Maria Loizidou. Collective Autobiography
18.04 – 02.06.2013
Dimosthenis Kokkinidis. ...and regarding the remembrance of evils… 1967-1997
Curated by: Eleni Ganiti
18.04 – 02.06.2013
Indoors Plus. The Greek National Garden
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
27.06 – 29.09.2013
Hybrid stories. From the EMST Collection
Exhibition with video and film works.
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
24.10.2013 – 23.04.2014
Afresh. A New Generation of Greek Artists
One of the last and symbolic exhibitions at the Athens Conservatoire, it featured the new generation of Greek artists, born in the 80s, following an open call and a thorough research.
Curated By: Daphne Vitali, Daphne Dragona, Tina Pandi
14.12.2013 – 26.01.2014
Joseph Beuys. Public Dialogue
Artist of the Month.
2012
26.01 – 18.03.2012
Gülsün Karamustafa. The Apartment Building
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
26.01 – 01.04.2012
Gülsün Karamustafa. Bosphorus 1954, 2008. The Settler, 2003
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
05.04 – 03.06.2012
Anna Tsouloufi – Lagiou. Forms of Life. Survival Kit in the Metropolis
Curated by: Daphne Vitali
05.04 – 03.06.2012
Frances Stark. 12 of her works from a private collection
Artist of the Month.
05.04 – 03.06.2012
Gary Hill. Bind, 1995
Work of the Month. Loan from a private collection.
03.05 – 14.10.2012
SonicTime. Speech/Sound/Silence. from the EMST Collection
The exhibition brought together fifty five works from the Museum’s collection, which focused on language, sound, music and silence as their common matrix.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
18.05 & 05.07 & 27.09.2012
Performance by Artemis Vasilopoulou titled Readings of G. Chimonas ‘The Wedding’
Part of the exhibition SonicTime, Speech/Sound/Silence and of the celebrations for the International Museum Day 2012.
20.06 – 09.09.2012
This is a Poem. Visual Poetry Group 1981-2011
The exhibition was part of the series of historical exhibitions of EMST, that focused on the historical research of the artistic activity of the Visual Poetry Group, in Greece from the beginning of the 80’s to this day.
Curated By: Tina Pandi
01.08 – 12.10.2012
Georgios Xenos. Progression, Number 163, 2010
Artist of the Month.
20.09 – 04.11.2012
Georgios Xenos. A thousand Images…
Curated By: Stamatis Schizakis
18.10 – 18.11.2012
Dikos Byzantios
Artist of the Month.
30.10.2012
Presentation of the Urban Poetry Collection by fashion designer Loukia
The well-known fashion designer Loukia presented her Urban Poetry Collection at EMST.
Coordinated by Kassiani Benou
31.10.2012 – 31.01.2013
Dilek Winchester. A Solo Exhibition
Among the works of the Turkish artist were installations, drawings, photographs and videos.
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
31.10.2012 – 31.01.2013
Alexandros Georgiou. Without My Own Vehicle I-V
The solo exhibition was about the travels of the artist, the experiences and feelings he shared with his “traveling companions”, the people who received his writings, with photographs and paintings.
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
05.12.2012 – 24.02.2013
Vangelis Vlahos and Ivan Grubanov. Current Pasts
Curated by: Daphne Vitali
05.12.2012 – 24.02.2013
Phoebe Giannisi. TETTIX
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
05.12.2012 – 31.03.2013
Michalis Manousakis. One Meter
Curated by: Anina Valkana
2011
03.02 – 12.05.2011
Andrea Bowers. Ni Una Muerte Más (Not one more death)
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
05.03 – 25.03.2011
Codes of Disobedience & Dysfunctionality
Workshop and work, a new route, and narrative into the city of Athens and its transformations in the modern era.
Concept, Workshop, and Project Development: Martin Rieser
Scientific advisor: Dimitris Charitos
Curatorial advisor and coordinator: Daphne Dragona
29.03 – 18.05.2011
Marianne Strapatsakis. Invisible Places / The Vast White, 2008
26.05 – 25.10.2011
Apostolos Georgiou. Painting
The distinguished painter realized a solo exhibition at the museum.
Curated by Daphne Vitali
26.05 – 28.08.2011
Angelo Plessas. The Angelo Foundation School of Music
The exhibition included three workshops/performances: Robot Poetry Reading, Sound Fertility, and Sound Meditation.
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
26.05 – 18.09.2011
Maaria Wirkkala. Wondering
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
26.05 – 18.09.2011
Rena Papaspyrou. Photocopies Straight out of Matter, 1980-1981
04.08 – 28.08.2011
Screening at the EMST Peristyle
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
08.09 – 15.11.2011
EMST participated in the events organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens in October 201
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi in collaboration with Daphne Vitali and Tina Pandi
21.09 – 30.10.2011
Secret Journeys. From the EMST Collection
Curated by: Stamatis Schizakis
18.10.2011 – 05.02.2012
Spyros Nakas. Fever
New online work commissioned after an open call by the Museum.
09.11.2011 – 18.03.2012
Nina Papaconstantinou. Instead of Writing
Works on paper or directly on the wall were presented, in the context of the solo exhibitions of younger artists organized by the museum.
Curated By: Tina Pandi
09.11.2011 – 18.03.2012
George Hadjimichalis. The painter A.K. - A Novel
In the framework of the EMST New Commissions 2011.
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
09.11.2011 – 18.01.2012
Carlos Garaicoa. Photo-topography
Curated by: Anna Kafetsi
Every Month Series
Gillian Wearing. Trauma. Artist of the month. Curated by Daphne Vitali. Project Room, 12.10 – 08.12.2011
Kostis Velonis. Little Wooden Seats and the Woman of his Dreams.
Work of the month. Project Room. Curated by Daphne Vitali, 12.10 – 08.12.2011
Nils Vigeland. Jane Eyre. Work of the month. Mezzanine, 13.12.2011 – 22.01.2012
Yiannis Michas, Compositions Series. Artist of the Month. Mezzanine, 13.12.2011 – 22.01.2012
2010
28.01 – 25.04.2010
Chronis Botsoglou. A Retrospective
A large retrospective exhibition of the important Greek artist.
Curated By: Tina Pandi
28.01 – 24.02.2010
Lukas Foss. The Fragments of Archilochos, from the Library Collection
Work of the Month.
28.01 – 18.02.2010
Jenny Marketou. Red Eyed Sky Walkers
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
28.01 – 08.03.2010
Tony Oursler. From the EMST Collection
Artist of the Month.
25.02 – 25.03.2010
Zoe Beloff and the Wooster Group. Where Where There There Where, 1998
Artist of the Month.
25.02 – 25.03.2010
Mario Venardi. Orillas Distantes / Distant Shores, 1995-2000
Work of the Month.
25.02 – 25.03.2010
Lawrence Weiner. Need to Know, 1978
Work of the Month.
25.02 – 07.03.2010
Wonder Women from the EMST Collection
Screenings in the Project Room.
09.03 – 18.04.2010
John Baldessari. Videos from the EMST Collection
Artist of the Month.
17.03 – 25.04.2010
Evanthia Tsantila. Roomwithaview
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
19.04.2010 – 30.01.2011
Esse, Nosse, Posse. Common Wealth for Common People
Curated by: Daphne Dragona
11.05 – 20.06.2010
Xurban_collective. A Clean Slate
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
11.05 – 05.09.2010
Kostis Velonis. Loneliness on Common Ground
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
11.05 – 05.09.2010
Yang Fudong. Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest and Other Stories
The exhibition consisted of large-scale audiovisual installations, presenting the monumental cinematic
work of the Chinese artist in its entirety.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
24.06 – 05.09.2010
Athanasios Argianas. The Length of A Strand of Your Hair, of the Width of Your Arms, Unfolded
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
04.08 – 29.08.2010
Sonic Façade
Evenings with videos and music at the EMST façade.
07.09 – 03.10.2010
Performance 1964-1976
Selections from the EMST Collection.
13.10.2010 – 30.04.2011
Politics of Art
Exhibition of works from the EMST Collection to celebrate the Museum’s 10th anniversary and the formation of its collection.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
Assistant curator: Elisabeth Ioannides
13.10 – 28.11.2010
Eirene Efstathiou. Customer/Value/Service
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
01.12.2010 – 23.01.2011
Hackitectura. Mapping the Commons, Athens
Curated by: Daphne Dragona
2009
18.03 – 31.05.2009
Shirin Neshat. Women Without Men
The new monumental opus of the international Iranian artist Shirin Neshat, Women without Men was presented for the first time in Greece.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
18.03 – 18.04.2009
Eleanor Antin. The King
Artist of the Month.
11.06 – 06.09.2009
George Drivas. (un-)documented
The first solo exhibition of the artist.
11.06 – 05.07.2009
Nils Vigeland. False Love True Love
Work of the Month.
11.06 – 11.10.2009
heart in heart. From the EMST Collection
Paintings, sculptures, installations, drawings, photographs, videos, web art and sound works by 23 artists from the EMST collection.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
11.06.2009 - 04.10.2009
Expanded Ecologies. Perspectives in a Time of Emergency
In the framework of the thematic exhibition series Public Space and Social Networks, EMST organised its first open-air exhibition on issues relating to the current ecological concerns.
Curated By: Daphne Vitali
01.09 – 18.10.2009
Cross-Korea: Come Join Us, Mr. Orwell!
In collaboration with the Streaming Museum, New York.
22.10.2009 – 10.01.2010
YY.Z. Kami. Beyond Silence
EMST organized the first retrospective exhibition in Greece of the important Iranian artist Y.Z. Kami.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
23.10 - 03.01.2009
Mark Amerika. Unrealtime
Solo exhibition of the American artist.
Curated By: Daphne Dragona
2008
EMST moved to the Athens Conservatoire and remained there until May 2015.
01.06 – 15.07.2008
Transexperiences. Greece 2008
In the framework of the Cultural Year Greece – China, Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
Οutstanding works by 23 Greek artists of different generations were presented, from the EMST and private Collections.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
Coordinated by: Elisabeth Ioannides, Stamatis Schizakis
30.09 – 30.11.2008
Ulrich Rückriem. Shadows of the Stone
The solo exhibition of Ulrich Rückriem, one of the most important European sculptors, was one of the exhibitions that inaugurated the EMST activity at the Athens Conservatory.
Curated By: Tina Pandi
Every Month, Exhibitions from the Permanent Collection
In 2008, EMST found a new temporary home at the Athens Conservatoire where the Every Month Series was first launched. In this series, selected works from the Museum’s permanent Collection were presented, as along with some works from private collections. The series included the Artist of the Month and the Work of the Month.
30.09 – 02.11.2008
Stephen Antonakos. Journey; a Drawing in 72 Units, 1998
Work of the Month.
30.09 – 07.12.2008
David Claerbout
It was the second exhibition that inaugurated the EMST activity at the Athens Conservatory.
Curated By: David Claerbout
Media Lounge
Ιnauguration the new Media Lounge in a specially converted space to showcase small-scale exhibits from its own new media Collection, as well as online works, sound installations, etc.
30.09 – 31.12.2008
e-critures. Exhibition of Online Works
The first exhibition to be presented at the EMST Media Lounge.
17.12.2008 – 01.03.2009
Bia Davou. A Retrospective
The retrospective exhibition of Bia Davou (1932-1996),
was one of a series of major monographic surveys by the museum, aimed at demonstrating the historical depth of contemporary art in Greece, with the emphasis on the experimental and critical explorations and realizations of the 1960s and 1970s.
Curated By: Tina Pandi, Stamatis Schizakis
17.12.2008 - 01.03.2009
Young-Ηae Chang Heavy Industries. Close Your Eyes
EMST presented for the first time in Greece the artistic partnership Young-hae Chang Heavy Industries, who live and work in Seoul, with their solo exhibition titled CLOSE YOUR EYES, in the framework of the museum’s policy of acquainting the Greek audience with the new forms and experimental quests of international art.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
2007
Programme Out
A project of itinerant exhibitions of works from the EMST Collection in galleries and art centres across Greece.
01-05.08.2007 & 01-13.09.2007
Rebecca Horn. Activities and Films
Curated By: Stamatis Schizakis
05.10 - 16.11.2007
Nikos Kessanlis. From Matière to the Image
In collaboration with the Municipality of Eleusis.
Curated By: Tina Pandi
13.12.2007 – 30.03.2008
In Present Tense: Young Greek Artists
The first big presentation of the Young Greek artists.
Curated By: Tina Pandi, Stamatis Schizakis Daphne Vitali
2006
17.07 – 29.09.2006
The Grand Promenade
The idea of the exhibition was born from the close proximity of EMST to the archaeological sites and monuments of Athens, and it is seen as one of the most important exhibitions in the museum’s history.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
2005
Oral stories
The program of the museum’s art archive starts in the context of the European Program Information Society. Artists and other figures of the art world, talked to EMST curators, historians and art critics about their personal experience of life, their activities and art in general.
28.01 – 06.02.2005
Preliminary studies EMST
Exhibition with the preliminary studies of the conversion of the Fix building into the museum space of EMST.
15.02 – 29.05.2005
Kimsooja. Journey into the world
The first solo exhibition of Kimsooja in Greece.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
13.07 – 04.09.2005 & 03.10 - 31.12.2005
Videographies. The Early Decades, from the EMST Collection
Collaboration of the museum with the Athens School of Fine Arts.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
Coordinated by: Stamatis Schizakis
15.12.2005 – 07.05.2006
The Years of Defiance. The Art of the ’70s in Greece
Showing 187 works by 54 artists, the exhibition attempted to explore the new formal and conceptual trails blazed by Greek artists after the Sixties.
Curated By: Bia Papadopoulou
VIdeoreadings
Seven open transcultural laboratories of reading, dialogue and exchange between students and teachers of the Athens School of Fine Arts, historians, art theorists. artists, sociologists, directors, linguists, musicians, among others. In the framework of the exhibition Videographies – The Early Decades, from the EMST Collection, 03.11 – 08.12.2005
2004
31.03 – 30.05.2004
7 + 7 – From the Collections of EMST
The exhibition with significant works by fourteen artists from the EMST collection, suggested an interpretational approach of contemporary art along two paths—one through paintings and sculptures and another through installations, painting, photography and video installations.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
31.03 – 31.05.2004
Rebecca Horn
In a special space, films by the internationally acknowledged artist Rebecca Horn, which had been recently acquired by EMST, were presented in an program of alternating screenings.
Curated By: Eleni Ganiti
06.07 – 31.12.2004
Transcultures
This exhibition, with which EMST participated in the Cultural Olympiad 2001-2004, featured many important commissions that enriched the permanent collection of the newly founded museum.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
Assistant curator: Elisabeth Ioannides
14.07 – 31.12.2004
Jannis Kounellis
The large-scale site specific installation presented in the exhibition is one of the most emblematic works of the EMST collection.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
2003
22.01 – 23.02.2003
Acquisitions 2001-2002. Paintings and Installations
The exhibition comprised 224 paintings and 49 sculptures and installations, acquired by the museum, in the form of purchases or donations, between 2001-2002.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
04.03 – 30.04.2003
Acquisitions 2001-2002. Photography and Video
Eleven photographs and 20 video installations and videos, acquired by the museum through purchase or donation during 2001-2002, were presented in the exhibition.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
04.03 – 30.04.2003
Manolis Baboussis. Works, 1973-2003
The mid-career retrospective exhibition of Manolis Baboussis followed 30 years of this significant photographer’s course.
Curated By: Elena Ganiti
04.03 – 30.04.2003
Zafos Xagoraris. Three Bells Curated
Three Bells, a new work by Zafos Xagoraris, commissioned by the museum, was presented in the context of the Works series.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
10.12.2003 – 14.03.2004
Synopsis 3. Testimonies: Between Fiction and Reality
With the third exhibition of the Synopsis series EMST inaugurated its presence at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), which hosted many important exhibitions.
This exhibition also inaugurated the new wing of Megaron.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
Assistant curator: Elisabeth Ioannides
2002
In 2002, it was decided that the Fix building would be EMST’s permanent base; an architectural competition was held for the selection of the new museum design.
The first prize for the remodelling of the building was awarded to a joint venture of 3SK Stylianidis Architects S.A. in partnership with Kalliopi Kontzoglou, I. Mouzakis and Associate Architects LTD, Tim Ronalds Architects, Project Technical Design, Pan. Babilis and Associates LLC, INSTA.
After some more exhibitions at the Fix building, EMST had to move out so that the remodelling work could proceed. This nomadic period of the Museum was inaugurated with an exhibition at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), where numerous other events were also held until 2007. One exhibition was hosted at the Athens School of Fine Arts in 2005 and another one in public space in 2006.
05.02 – 17.03.2002
Selections from the permanent Collection of Video Art
Sixty-two works by major practitioners of video art from the EMST permanent collections were presented in an alternating program of projections.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
21.03 – 18.05.2002
Chen Zhen. Metaphors of the Body
The first major retrospective exhibition in Greece of the internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Chen Zhen.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
21.03 – 18.05.2002
Acquisitions 2001. Part Ι
Key works by contemporary international artists, acquired in 2001 and added in the Photography and New Media sector of EMST, were presented.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
18.06 – 25.08.2002
Vassiliki Tsekoura. In Situ
Four large-scale in situ installations and three drawings on paper by the important Greek sculptor Vassiliki Tsekoura were presented.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
18.06 – 25.08.2002
Big Brother. Architecture & Surveillance
The exhibition, with which the Museum inaugurated a series of architectural exhibitions, featured digital projects and buildings under construction, which trace and investigate the ways in which contemporary architecture encourages, allows, organizes or, conversely, hinders and prohibits surveillance.
Curated By: Memos Filippidis
15.10 – 05.01.2002
Synopsis 2. Theologies
The second exhibition of the Synopsis series. The relation between contemporary art and religion as a unique experience, doctrine, cult, power explored through the works of 13 Greek and international artists.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
During its nomadic years, but also after its permanent relocation in the Fix building, EMST tried to attract a diverse range of visitors through a series of parallel activities, enriching its schedule with a multitude of events, entering into dialogue with its time and opening up to other artistic media, synergies, and new technologies.
The year 2002 witnessed the beginning of the series The Artists Meet the Audience, a component of the EMST exhibition schedule until 2013, where Greek and foreign artists participated in presentations, lectures, and open discussions on their work with the audience.
2001
12.02 – 08.04.2001
Pierre Huyghe. The Third Memory
The presentation of the audiovisual installation The Third Memory, from the collections of MNAM-CCI, at the Centre Georges Pompidou by the contemporary French artist Pierre Huyghe, was inaugurated the Works series, which aimed to demonstrate the interpretative approaches and the general preccupations of specific works by contemporary artists as well as commission new, interesting artistic proposals.
Curated By: Christine Van Assche
12.02 – 08.04.2001
The “Classics” of Video Art (1965-1995) – New Media
The exhibition presented the first important core of 64 video art works by some of the “classic” artists of the genre, acquired by the Museum in 2000, and covering the historical period between 1965-1995, as well as 4 digital works on CD-ROM.
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
03.05 – 05.08.2001
George Hadjimichalis. Works 1985-2000
This exhibition inaugurated the series of artists’ mid-career retrospectives.
Curated By: Nikos Daskalothanassis
01.11.2001 – 03.02.2002
Costas Tsoclis. A Retrospective
The first major retrospective of the important artist.
Curated By: Katerina Koskina
2000
Φεβρουάριος - Ιούνιος 2000
Yannis Tsarouchis. Between East and West
The exhibition was organised by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation on the ground floor of the former Fix Brewery, after conversion work had been carried out specifically for the event.
During the same year, the premises were turned over to the Museum as a temporary venue. Anna Kafetsi, PhD in Aesthetics and Art History, was appointed Director of EMST. The Museum initiated its operation, setting out to develop its permanent Collection.
13.10.2000 – 07.01.2001
Synopsis 1. Communications
It is the exhibition that inaugurated the operation of EMST. Two more exhibitions of the same series followed, one at the FIX building and the other at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron).
Curated By: Anna Kafetsi
1997
December 1997
The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (EMST) was founded under the EMST Founding Law (No. 2557-1997) as published in Government Gazette Issue 271, vol. A/24.12.1997.
1995
January 1995
The Task Force established with the purpose of developing a National Policy on the Visual Arts [Members: Chronis Botsoglou (painter, President), Nikos Kessanlis (painter), Julia Dimakopoulou (art gallerist), Anna Kafetsi (art historian), Savvas Kontaratos (architect), Emmanuel Mavrommatis (art historian), Vasiliki Georgiou (Head, Visual Arts Department), Charalampos Daradimos (sculptor), Kleopatra Dinga (painter), Marina Eliades (art gallerist), Vasso Kyriaki (painter), Yorgos Lazongas (painter), Maria Maragkou (art critic), Effie Strouza (art historian), Dimitris Trikas (journalist), Kalliopi Sarantaena (employee, Visual Arts Department)] proposes the foundation of a National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (EMST) in Greece.
