CHEAPART 2002
CHEAPART is the most organized contemporary art movement and context gallery in Greece. Initiated in 1995, the organization works constantly to promote new artistic trends and ideas. The slogan "The Organization of Cheap but Valuable Art" defined the main concept of its communicational plan, aimed to open its exhibitions to a broader public beyond the arts.
CHEAPART has created its own visual identity through a descriptive language of mottos and slogans which stress its positions and viewpoints. To no surprise, these expressive motifs have been systematically reproduced by many galleries and foundations throughout the years. Until today, more than 200 emerging and established artists have participated in CHEAPART exhibitions, testing new work and concepts before a vast and demanding public.
CHEAPART is an open space for artistic experimentation and research.
From the very beginning CHEAPART has introduced an exhibition model and conceptual framework based on low selling price artwork as a part of its strategy to connect with the wide public. The suggested price does not correspond to the true value of the artwork and aims only to help contemporary art and the artist, reach out to a larger crowd.
By 1999, having gained the trust of a large audience, CHEAPART entered its second phase as an “open gallery space” with focus on non-conventional, experimental artwork. The organization relied on the overwhelming impact of its exhibitions and the large audience accumulated over the years, to effectively implement this shift in focus. This phase was defined by exhibitions such as, "Extensions of Man", "Fake", the audiovisual installation "Pause", a collaboration between Marina Fokidis, Dimitris Rotsios and Coti K. (model for Greece,s national participation at the 2005 Biennale of Venice), "Sleep Matters", "Athens – Beijing" installation by Harris Kontosphyris (Model for Greece's national participation at the 26th Sao Paulo Biennale and the 2nd Beijing International Art Biennale, 2005), installations showcased at Art Athina "The Machine" 2001, "Who has any Idea, what the Idea is?" "Tone Home".
CHEAPART is completely new and experimental, for this reason it has raised a lot of discussion over its ideas and substance, its role and intentions.
CHEAPART is not a Commercial Organisation
CHEAPART is a non-profit cultural organization with a registered trademark, fully committed to promoting the arts. Management is fairly simple, CHEAPART covers operational needs for its exhibition program. The organization does not provide its members with any form of financial compensation or payment. The exhibition program is hosted within the privately owned and recently renovated historical building of Andreou Metaxa Street in the Exarchia district of Athens, birthplace of CHEAPART. CHEAPART has no financial benefit from art sales, commission or rent fees, nor is an intermediate for sales or any form of financial handling. The artist represents his/herself during the exhibition in managing any financial transaction that may result from sales, as CHEAPART is not involved in this process. Subsequently, artists participating in CHEAPART’s exhibitions are not bound to commitment towards the organization.
CHEAPART focuses solely on artistic value
In waiving any financial involvement with artists and curators, CHEAPART holds the benefit of selecting the general philosophy and direction of its exhibitions, and maintain the quality of its collaborations. Art proposals showcased are evaluated solely on the basis of originality of the idea and quality of the artwork, and how these measure before a local and global art audience.
CHEAPART is open to collaborations
As a non-profit organization, CHEAPART is not competitive. Its philosophy and direction are to seek partnerships and alliances that help support the materialization of artwork by limiting financial and practical constraints for the artists. CHEAPART works individually with each artist to help them develop the unique features of their artwork. This has created new opportunities for unconventional art considered to be of “high-risk by other galleries and artistic organizations. CHEAPART’s priority is to engage in collaborations that will develop into exhibitions focused on experimentation. CHEAPART aims to engage with the entire artistic community as an open space of research and experimentation, unlocking pure artistic expression and liberating the artist of financial considerations.
Artists: Stefanos Alafouzos, Manty Albani, Elena Athanasiadou, Willem v.d. Beukel, Ismini Bonatsou, Eleana Chaviara, Charalambos Dermatis, Michalis Doukoumetzakis, Michalis Eliou, Margarita Gelada, Irini Gennimata, Dimitris Georgakopoulos, Georg Georgakopoulos, Panos Georgopoulos, Thomas Giatras, Nikos Giavropoulos, Zoi Kakouri, Vera Kallianidi, Fotini Kapiris, Sofia Kapnissi, Nikos Kokkalis, Alexandra Kollaros, Harris Kondosphyris, Nikos Kryonidis, Nikolas Kyriakou, Grigoris Lagos, Tasos Liakopoulos, Sophia Liarou, Yorgos Lintzeris, Giancarlo Manneschi, Kostia Manou, Kyriaki Mavrogeorgi, Aliki Moutousi, Vasilis Noulas, Stavros Panagiotakis, Eleni Papadopoulou, Thanasis Pappas, Iwona Pavlović, Panagiotis Ploumis, Natassa Poulantza, Aris Roupinas, Tessie Spilioti, Kallirroy Spyridonos, Maria Stylianaki, Eleni Theofylaktou, Vasilis Theos, Nikos Triandaphyllou, Giorgos Tserionis, Martha Tsiara, Maria Tsimbourla, Thanos Vovolis.
Opening: Wednesday, December 4, 20:30
Duration: 4 - 22.12.2002
Hours: 14:00 - 21:00 daily
CHEAPART
25 A.Metaxa
106 81 Athens, Greece
