Platforms Project 2019, Courtesy the artists and Platforms Project

 

The objective of Platforms Project is to map artistic action as it is produced in the context of collective initiatives by artists who decide to join forces in seeking answers to artistic questions by creating the so-called platforms. (Quote from the Platforms’ ”about” section)

Through its nineth event edition, Platform Project ambitionned to take advantage on the Greek sanitary restrictions in order to be born anew, under a digital form. The result stands in 68 artisic platforms composed of independent communities, 91 contemporary artists from 28 different countries inside an online and offline space. Here, yet also there : several exhibitions within a single one, taking place in a unique, yet multiple location.

André Malraux wouldn’t have dreamt of such an Imaginary Muzeum ! In the present world where frontiers between countries have suddenly rematerialized, becoming more palpable and weighty than ever, the controversial virtuality doesn’t give up and, to our delight, conveys us to a bodyless journey, yet animated with a multitude of images. A little zoom & click on Platfroms Project, a far-reaching event in the atemporal and digital Athens, in full swing.

 

Platforms Project NET, view of Athens School of Fine Arts’s digital map, Courtesy the artists and Platforms Project

 

Initially based in Athens, inaugurated for the first time in 2012 by artists Artemis Potamianou and Michalis Argyrou, Platforms Projects is an international contemporary Art Fair, a harbor at the crossroads of shipping routes, putting an accent on the importance of interactivity and team work in the creative process.

While waiting for the real event, which will take place at the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) from the 21st to the 24th of October, the 2021 edition’s teaser ediției 2021, makes us browse all the attending partners world-wide. Its bidimensional double, Platforms Project NET invites us to take a visual walk inside the pixel stands of Nikos Kessanlis exhibition.

The exhibition has recreated, between the 27th of May and the 10th of June, the saturated ambience of a physical visit, by letting us navigate through the ASFA’s architectural floor plan, where the event was initially held, a place transposed on the dedicated website. One could feel the crowd walking from stand to stand side by side, people pressing gainst one another to the opening, gathered on the 29th of May at 5 pm, listening to the Dutch
performers Topp & Dubio’s lecture. Maybe one would’ve nervously checked the different activities on the schedule brochure, yet in the end, that is exactly what happened, online. During that week, no matter their location, the curious ones were able to freely exchange with the present artists at the virtual stands, or be part of discussion groups inside one of the 53 hosted platforms – from far away. Platforms Project NET is still open to visits, in a
place where night doesn’t exist, and where time zones mingle : right here.

 

GREYLIGHT PROJECTS, Courtesy the artists and Platforms Project

 

Nelson W. Armour, Walking Curing Covid 6, archival pigment print, 17 x 22 in, 2021, Chicago Artists Platforms, Courtesy the artists and Platforms Project

 

Topp & Dubio, Topp&Dubio, All of a Sudden, 2021 © Topp & Dubio, Courtesy the artists and Platforms Project

 

Dahlia Westmoreland, Get to the Door, oil on canvas board , 35 x 45 cm, 2021, BEASTON Projects

 

The event, which can be seen as a democracy lesson, has allowed both the insider and art enthusiast publics to have a dialog with the art collectives on the project’s internet platform, to witness broadcasted performances, and even to be part of interactive projects. Such is the case for Do you feel lucky today, project initiated by GREYLIGHT PROJECTS art collective – by pressing a red button, one can buy a random artwork selected by an algorithm. A wide variety of artworks can be browsed on Platforms Project NET, including different expression techniques, from video (mp43 – project space for the peripheral), painting (the painters collective BEASTON Projects) or etching (Yannis Gourzis from the Autobiographical Systems collective), to photography (Nelson W. Armour, Chicago Artists Platforms). Each collective attending to this multiform project is also the result of a dialog (always evolving) between creators, enriched by interacting with the public during the event ; just enough to make us reflect upon creative actions within today’s society.

A unique mirror game, designed by Artemis Potamianou, contemporary artist and curator who is also the artistic co-director and founder of Platforms Project. Her artworks and curatorship projects intermingle, her pieces bring to light the intensity of the multidimensional space conceived within Platforms Project NET.

Between collage and installation, 2D and volumes, Artemis Potamianou requestions the notion of exhibition frame, made of composite works.

 

Artemis Potamianou, Which side are you on, installation view, mixed media, variable dimensions, 2019 © Artemis Potamianou, Courtesy the artist

 

Artemis Potamianou, Re-View Series, Cold War Night Life, C-print on plexiglass & metal print, variable dimensions, 2008 – 2019 © Artemis Potamianou, Courtesy the artist

 

Link-uri articol:

https://platformsproject.com/platforms-2021/
https://platformsproject.com/platforms-2021-teaser/
http://doyoufeelluckytoday.greylightprojects.org

 

 

 

 

Stanca Soare / Vizual artist & foreign news editor : After graduating from the National Superior of Fine Arts from Bourges, I am presently collaborating with Artevezi for the Satellite 01001 column, for which I conceive articles on social and artistic subjects, about news in the Balkanic and Easter Europe space. I consider that art is part of the present society, no matter the country.