In July 2024, the Shared Campus summer school titled “Extractive Realities and Ecological Coordinations” will take place in Aspropyrgos.
For the second consecutive time in the city of Aspropyrgos, the exhibition titled “Common Ground” will be held, gathering this year 26 young international artists from diverse artistic backgrounds.
This event is a collaboration between Emilia Bouriti and the Syn+Ergasia Art Platform, the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Aspropyrgos, the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos, and the international university group “Shared Campus – Critical Ecologies.”
Shared Campus is a collaborative platform of international educational institutions and research networks created by 9 leading international universities and fine arts schools with the purpose of implementing the research-artistic program “Critical Ecologies,” which addresses environmental issues and attracts students and professors from around the world.
This collaboration aims to immerse the international artists in the unique environment of Aspropyrgos and the Thriasio Plain, allowing them to learn from the agricultural land and the post-industrial landscapes that surround it, while encouraging the exchange of knowledge and stories with local communities.
The central theme of the exhibition is “Critical Ecologies,” focusing on capturing the experiences of the communities, their deep connection to the land, culture, and environment.
The exhibition features 26 talented and passionate young artists, each coming from different countries around the world. These creative artists have embarked on a collective journey in Aspropyrgos and the Thriasio Plain, seeking inspiration from its unique and complex environment.
Engaging with the landscape and local communities, especially the agricultural and Arvanite communities, the artists strive to understand the daily life and cultural heritage of the region.
The artists begin with a three-day experiential workshop in collaboration with farmers, taking place at the farms of Thodoris Petrogiannos, Dimitris Chatzi, Maria Perifanou, Antigoni Liosi, Anastasia Kallieri, and Giannis Tsokanis, as well as in the neighborhoods of the city.
A workshop will be held to teach the songs of the oral Arvanite language to the artists, as it is a key element of the city’s cultural heritage.
The workshop team includes: Katina Neroutsou, Mary Avraam, Koula Liosi, Emilia Bouriti, Emilia Nodara, Kalliopi Bouriti, Anastasia Mangana, Roula Nodara, Niki Lysaiou, Eleni Fyta, among others.
The university group Critical Ecologies Shared Campus expresses special thanks to the Mayor of Aspropyrgos, Mr. Ioannis Ilias, and his team for supporting the artistic and educational workshop. The Critical Ecologies Shared Campus team emphasizes the importance of promoting artistic collaboration between international artists and local communities.
The young artists of the Critical Ecologies Shared Campus team also warmly thank Deputy Mayor of Culture Ms. Mary Kallieri Kapsala, Emilia Bouriti, artistic director of the Syn+Ergasia Art Platform, Mr. Theodoros Petrogiannos, President of the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos, the collaborating farmers of Aspropyrgos, Mr. Dimitris Chatzi, the family of Ms. Antigoni Liosi and Ms. Anastasia Kallieri, Mr. Ioannis Tsokanis, the Arvanite song teaching team, and the local community of Aspropyrgos for their kindness and unwavering support.
Participating artists:
Reuben COLLINS, Paula DISCHINGER, Jasmin DOELLE, Alma FEIGIS, Elena FREI, Yuanyuan GAO, Noel HOCHULI, Tzuyu HUANG, Sahana KAWAMOTO, Dajeong LEE, Uen Man LIT, ChihWei LU, Nirvik MASKEY, Melissini MOTITI, Nuhayd NAUFAL, Ka Yi NG, Nana NISHINAGA, Jenifer PAZMINO SANCHEZ, Sita PEILER, Teresa SCHMID, Heng SU, Hai-Jung SUNG, Sulamith Anna Luca TAMBORRIELLO, Yuehao XING, Francesca ZAMBELLI, Shengyang ZHANG.
With the support of the international team of educators and coordinators of Critical Ecologies Shared Campus: Heather BARNETT, Yusaku IMAMURA, Yanki LEE, Nuria KRAEMER, and Daisy TAM.
The event is organized and supported by:
Aimilia Bouriti – Artistic Platform Syn+Ergasia
Cultural Center of the Municipality of Aspropyrgos
Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos
Critical Ecologies Shared Campus
Read more about Shared Campus here
