"The next interesting idea is a wish for the conveyance of the choice of respect and social contribution" says Alexandros Katsiotis on behalf of the organizers.

I visited the exhibition on literally its final hour and was overcome by a sense of promise, promise that there still exist a people who push forward and do so in a non provocative way. The art presented was strong enough that there was no need for any poncy packaging of attitude. International, distinguished artists and Greek newcomers - with an emphasis on the latter - although having no common thread binding them, formed a cohesive ensemble, which interacted evocatively with its surroundings.

From an artist inspired by his accident and prolonged stay at the hospital - Atinidis Ioannis - to a mother - Morin Sarah - who can no longer elaborate with colour as priorities (a.k.a. children)  have changed, the vast depot was house to a plethora of emotions, techniques and media (working on wood sems to be very happening, huh?...)

Thomas Staridas made me linger with his abstract oils (oil and pyrography on wood)

and I felt that the most intense dialogue with its surroundings was brought by the mixed technique sculptures of Diakoumis Stavros.

Christoforos Kraniotis - plastic acrylic spray on wood

Veroutsos Athanasios - wire installation

Of course, I cannot help but mention Katerina Drakopoulou. Her screaming with emotion works entitled Agora are so simple, so sweetly depressing, so disturbingly familiar. Katerina, one of the Eternal Optimists' collaborators, deals with themes of life and death, existence and sub-existence and her work felt perfectly in synch with the vibe hovering around Athens. An indistinct sense of sorrow, fear and disappointment for "all the good times we lost having good times"...pushing, urging for this bloody long awaited action of thought.

I wonder if we keep thinking, will we be glad to be where we are?

And if, as so many claim, we are indeed "parts" of a "whole" shouldn't we retain our unique distinctiveness that will allow us to be "parts" and not just a "whole"?